She's vomiting bile in the morning!


  • Our 8yr. old Basenji baby girl was given a clean "bill" of health by a reputable vet. Our "bill" was $250, with our senior discount, and I know something's wrong! Here are my concerns:rapid weight loss,lethargic,vomits bile frequently in the morning,can only eat Gerber lamb, some baked sweet potato, boiled plain potato, occassionally rice without vomiting or regurgitating.

    She used to love the Dollar Store chicken treats. I just read an article about Franconi like symptoms resulting from chicken jerky. I also read that I should buy Ames clintest strips to test for protein in her urine. PLease, help. Thank you. Nyala


  • Unless she has been DNA tested for Fanconi, you need to be strip testing her monthly, so yes you should get the test strips. If she is DNA clear/carrier for Fanconi.. it can't hurt to get the strips. However, I would have thought that during her check up they would have done a urine check? Was there a blood panel done? Were the results all good? Has she had a full Thyroid panel done (not just the one that is done with normal blood work). Vomiting bile in the mornings usually indicates "empty tummy" problems, as many Basenjis do this but this seems to be more then just that? Maybe a referral to a specialist?


  • No to the DNA testing.
    Yes to the urinalysis.
    Blood panel…CBC...unknown
    Thyroid panel...unknown and doubtful
    Thank you for the empty tummy info
    She needs to be lifted to her chair and occassionally yelps when she moves.


  • Oh, gee, this does sound like she needs a better vet check.
    I would try giving her small dry dog crackers over the day.
    That will keep the stomach from getting all that bile in it.
    But it does sound like she has something wrong.


  • Thank you, Sharon. Any comments about her diet?

    I'm on the phone now looking for a vet who is familiar with basenji health.


  • Well, the diet isn't ideal, but if its the only thing your b can keep down, your doing good.
    My b's don't do well on lamb, but maybe that is just my boy. Can you b can keep cooked, lean chicken breast down? If you have not tried that, I would.
    I sure do hope your new vet can find out why this b is not thriving.
    Hugs, I know how scary it is when your baby is sick.
    Do keep us posted.


  • @Nyala:

    Thank you, Sharon. Any comments about her diet?

    I'm on the phone now looking for a vet who is familiar with basenji health.

    And I am not sure this really would be just a "Basenji problem" unless she has Fanconi. You should get the test strips asap, as she should have been tested monthly for the last couple of years.

    Also, I am unclear about your comments on the Blood work? Were there not results for Liver? Kidneys? in addition to White/Red counts, etc?

    Again, I would look for a internist specialist and you should be able to get one from her regular Vet


  • And the only other thing I an pass on to you, is that three years ago, my then 11yr old would cry out when moving or being picked up, blood work indicated very high abnormal liver values and ultrasound showed a liver tumor. It was removed and non cancerous


  • Pat, I need to find out exactly what was included in the blood panel. Thanks for the tip about the internist.

    BTW: Chicken breast is poached and in the fridge, but what about the chicken jerky issue? Could she have developed an allergy to all chicken products if the jerkey is related to her current symptoms?


  • Where did the chicken jerky come from? If its from China, it could be the problem and reg chicken we eat shouldn't give her the same issues.
    I don't feed anything from overseas to my dogs.


  • You might also try cooking a little plain white rice and mixing some of that in with the chicken.


  • I have a meal you can make to put weight on a dog, but as it seems your b' might have something internal going on, I don't know if you should try it.
    If you think its something you want to see, let me know.
    It only has good things in it.


  • I think that the first thing to do is address any possible (or rule out) medical issues. Sounds to me like something is going on… that needs to be addressed medically first...

    And until you get the blood work results you will not know how the liver/kidneys are doing .....


  • @Nyala:

    Pat, I need to find out exactly what was included in the blood panel. Thanks for the tip about the internist.

    BTW: Chicken breast is poached and in the fridge, but what about the chicken jerky issue? Could she have developed an allergy to all chicken products if the jerkey is related to her current symptoms?

    Anything is possible… but until you get the results of the blood work, you really will not know if something is going on with any of the internal organs...


  • Well, once you have the Dr info, I can help you put weight on your girl.
    Do let us know what the Dr says…and Pat is right...the issue should be discovered first before anything else is done.


  • When I went through a weight loss issue with Blaze, my vet ran all the tests. Finding nothing really out of the ordinary, she had us do x-rays and ultrasound to rule out tumors. If your vet didn't recommend this, find a new vet. Weight loss and yelping due to movement is not a clean bill of health. I hope your new vet will help you find the cause and cure your B.


  • Yes, please do tell us what the new vet says re your b.
    We are all wanting to help you get your dog back to health.


  • If you are looking for a home cooked diet to keep her on until you get a diagnosis, you may want to try Dr Dodds Liver Cleansing Diet. It has some ingredients that you are already feeding her and she is keeping down.

    http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/Liver%20cleansing%20diet.htm


  • Question about the bile vomiting. I had Ziggy in at the vet's office a few days ago for an anorexia problem (it's cleared up now; he's completely back in the pink). This morning around 6 AM, he vomited some yellow bile, then went back to bed. He's done it before - it happens maybe 5-6 times in a year, so I don't worry about it and don't do anything to "treat" it.

    The vet gave me a followup call, and when I mentioned the bile vomit, she seemed to get very concerned - "It's never healthy for a dog to vomit" - and was pretty adamant that he's got some intestinal problem like irritable bowel. I told her that I have talked to many, many B owners who have said that their dog occasionally vomits bile when the stomach is empty and it's not a serious problem that means rushing the dog to the vet to get checked out.

    Do you agree? Is the "empty tummy" bile upchuck only a minor annoyance, if it happens very rarely and the dog is otherwise in perfect health?


  • My thinking is that if the dog is healthy, I don't worry about the yellow bile when the dogs stomach is empty. BUT if the dog is having other issues, I would listen to the vet.

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