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St. Bernard

My St. Bernard has been vomiting shortly after eating and it is brown and smells like feces. What could this be? She is not acting like she is ill.

•   Allison Williams, DVM says:

  January 07th, 2009 at 12:00 PM

  If it smells like feces, the source of the vomit is likely the proximal (beginning) part of the small intestine that is regurgitating into the stomach and then out through the esophagus/mouth.  There are two causes of this:

  There are two types of intestinal obstructions, mechanical and nonmechanical. Mechanical obstructions can occur for several reasons and occur because the bowel is physically blocked and its contents cannot get past the obstruction. Sometimes the bowel twists on itself (volvulus) or telescopes into itself (intussusception). Mechanical obstruction can also result from hernias, impacted feces, abnormal tissue growth, the presence of foreign bodies in the intestines (including gallstones), or inflammatory bowel disease. Nonmechanical obstruction,(ileus) occurs because the wavelike muscular contractions of the intestine (peristalsis) that ordinarily move food through the digestive tract stop. This can be a result of inflammation as well.

  I would recommend that your dog sees a veterinarian for treatment.  Vomiting can lead to dehydration which in itself can be dangerous.  Allow them to do xrays of his abdomen and possibly a barium contrast series (swallows contrast and follows it through the inestines) to assess him to rule out an obstruction.  This can be serious so I would not advise you to wait.  Even though she is not acting ill - dogs may not be concerned with how they feel until it is much worse. 

  Just to be on the safe side - I'd have her seen by a vet today.

  Best of luck - Allison Williams, DVM

   

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• User says:

  January 07th, 2009 at 02:07 PM

  Thank you for your input. I will make a vet appt.

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