Dog Vomiting Blood and Unusual Behavior

by Mary
(Murfreesboro, TN)

My 8 year old bichon threw up and passed a lot of blood on Nov. 09. The vets ran every test imaginable and came up with nothing. He was hydrated and the rehydrated all day and he got better.

One month later he began acting very odd. Wouldn't play or eat and limping on back left paw. Took him back in. Vets could manipulate him without him showing pain. X rays showed possible tumor or disk inflammation on the top of the spine. Again, Vets really didn't know.

The veterinarian sent him home with anti-inflammatory medications for a week and recommended no strenuous activity for 1 month. Also, he had lost 1 pound, but he improved.

Then, after month up. My dog started limping on the front right paw for two days. Started throwing up off and on. Took him back. Ran tests for Addisons which were negative.

They sent him back home with instructions to watch. Has been ok for 2 weeks now but last night there was extremely odd behavior. Came into my room at 2am in the morning, staring at me. I picked him up and held him but he wanted me to put him down and follow him. I did and he wanted to play. He has never done this in the 8 years I've had him. So we played and then I tried to go back to sleep and he sat and stared at me throughout the night. I finally put him out of my room and checked a little while later and he was just sitting there, staring. It was unnerving. Please help.

The only thing my vet has suggested is that it is a dog brain tumor, but he doesn't really exhibited any of the symptoms for that. But, there is something definitely wrong. I have spent almost $1500 since November and still do not know anything.

Editor Suggestion Dog Blood in Vomit and Changes in Behavior

Dear Mary,

Thank you for your question and sorry to hear about your dog vomiting problem and inability to get a definitive diagnosis.

There are various conditions, which can affect the health status of a dog, but they cannot be detected. This happens mainly for the reason that either the condition hasn't developed to a clinical level or symptoms and tests represents a spectrum of possible conditions, or in simple words, it is a syndrome.

In this particular case, the building up of the condition and the variety of symptoms is highly relevant. To me, this indicates some type of a neurological disorder, which can affect different systems in the body; remember the dog brain and the canine nervous system has control over the body in terms of different centers and hormonal secretions (glands).

Symptoms of systemic problems such as the passing of blood, anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, alternate limping in dog legs and finally unusual behavior surely represent a group of irrational or seemingly unrelated symptoms.

These symptoms do not represent any specific condition. The right approach was to initially conduct laboratory tests, which you have done, with no results.

And now, as you said, your veterinarian suspects it as a dog brain tumor, but have you gotten it tested?

We suggest that you take your dog for a specific test called a “Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis” which will confirm any possible condition, whether it is a tumor, inflammation, infection etc.

In our view point, it seems to be a neurological disorder, but it does not mean that other systemic conditions should not be eliminated. Other systems will surely get affected and if this condition is not treated specifically, the prognosis will decline over time. Also, your dog is relatively a senior now, so it is more prone to health issues. This condition will be progressively affecting all physiological systems and your dogs immunity will also decline with time.

Of course, here, we cannot confirm the condition, but only suspect what is causing the problem. It's better to go for the aforementioned tests to confirm the canine neurological disorder. This way it can be and should be treated specifically, as per the attending veterinarian's recommendations.

However, we can suggest some precautionary measures, which will surely help to restore your dogs body condition.

1.If your veterinarian has prescribed any pain killer and/or anti inflammatory drug, discuss with your veterinarian the possibility of reducing its frequency of administration. These drugs are proven to cause gastrointestinal ulcers, which in later stages are very hard to treat.

2.We are not sure about the food being given to your dog. Make sure you are feeding your dog a high energy food. Energy levels in later stages will decline and your dog might be in need of more energy during a specific therapy. Also, in neurological disorders, dogs usually show more severe symptoms if there are lower energy levels in the body. You can try some natural energy remedies such as Energy Tonic as well for improving energy levels.

3.In such conditions, like suspected tumors and progressive idiopathic health problems (unknown cause), like this one, can cause the accumulation of toxins in the body. These toxins worsen the condition by making symptoms more severe. It is recommended that you should try a natural detoxifying remedy such as C-Ccaps, which will help with the removal of toxins and it will help to enhance body physiology.

4.Nervous signs in dog behavior, like you mentioned, represents canine stress. Natural remedies to reduce stress and make the nervous system calm should be used on a regular basis. One good choice is Pet Calm.

Remember, these tips are for support only. Any specific therapy is only based upon a confirmed diagnosis. Go for a dog nervous system examination and have specific tests done. Once confirmed, the condition should be treated specifically. During this course of time, avoid any synthetic or supportive therapeutics as much as possible, since these are building up toxins in the body. Try some of the natural remedies to provide some level of support until a specific treatment plan has been defined. Remedies can be continued along with the specific therapy used.

Best of luck to you and your dog. Please keep us up to date on your dogs condition, including the diagnosis you receive and if a dog brain tumor or other canine neurological problem is the underlying cause.