Bertie is a bit of a vomiter.

[jambon]

Apologies for the subject heading.

Our Bertie is eleven months old and he often goes through phases of vomiting. This happens especially in the early hours of the morning - he'll vomit a couple of times and hop jauntily back into his bed! This can happen a couple of times in a week, then they'll be a period of time without a problem, another little bout of vomiting, a month without etc.

It's never really got to a point where we've been massively concerned - he's absolutely fine in himself. No diarrhea. We don't feed him 'human food'. Quite a consistent diet which he enjoys and manages to keep down for the vast majority of the time.

Is this quite a common Cocker trait? He's had regular health checks in his time and all is fine - but we're now perhaps at the point of a vet visit for this specific reason.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

J.

[Helen]

is it always at night?

[jambon]

Hi livercake,

It is almost exclusively at night, 9 times out of 10.

We sometimes think he gets up too quickly, or goes for a big drink. Not sure that would cause vomiting but its odd that its almost always at about 2-4am.

[Sheryl]

Chloe used to do this almost every night.  It was either frothy or bile (yellow) but never anything more substantial than that.  It was only because her tummy was empty.  A few COL'ers dogs had the same thing and have cured it by giving a dry biscuit or piece of toast last thing before they sleep.

[Helen]

you beat me to it sheryl

I would give Bertie something last thing at night - we give Jarv a gravy bone or some other type of dry biscuit, some people swear by bonio's or toast as Sheryl has already said.

Try it first for a few days before the v.e.t visit 

[jambon]

Thanks Sheryl - will try that.

Bertie usually loses his dinner, will vomit 2 or 3 times until his stomach is empty. The final vomit is often froth.

We've thought it might be over feeding and have cut back his food to the lower end of the recommended scale - but it still happens.

Edit - thinking about it Bertie gets a gravy bone at around 7pm, post-grooming. A little earlier than you're suggesting, we'll try him later and see.

Thanks!

[Sheryl]

Not sure it is the same thing if all his dinner is coming back   That doesn't sound like an empty tum vomit to me.

[jambon]

Yeah, thought that myself, Sheryl. Think I will take him for a check...

[LurcherGirl]

Jesse was like that... and eventually I worked out that it was the food! I then changed food and the vomiting stopped, but the diarrhea started... 

In the end, NatureDiet (Lamb and Rice) sorted out both front and back end... For the last three days, Jesse has been fed on Butchers because I ran out of Nature Diet and couldn't get hold of any... and promptly, both diarrhea and vomiting returned... 

Vera

[Helen]

Jesse was like that... and eventually I worked out that it was the food! I then changed food and the vomiting stopped, but the diarrhea started... 

In the end, NatureDiet (Lamb and Rice) sorted out both front and back end... For the last three days, Jesse has been fed on Butchers because I ran out of Nature Diet and couldn't get hold of any... and promptly, both diarrhea and vomiting returned... 

Vera

could well a dietary problem - what is Bertie being fed on? 

[jambon]

Bertie has been on a dry food, Royal Canin Junior. For the vast majority of the time he's fine on that. It'll just be bouts of vomiting and periods of calm. We've also tried a couple of nature diets (in an attempt to stop the vomiting) and if anything it's become worse.

I think the likelihood is that its a food issue...

[bibathediva]

just to make the subject matter even worse...whats his poo like  ... any slime

biba had this...she was very inconsistent with the puke...would throw up everynight for a week then nothing for a while then perhaps twice a week..there was never any pattern except is was  always the early hours of the morning and alot of it was undigested food...i only knew that has she re-ate it again      but also her poos were covered in a film of slime 
eventually found out she has colitis..after a change of diet to BARF not had a problem since ...

[jambon]

You might just have hit the nail on the head there. Although I've only ever noticed a handful of occasions when there may have been a film on his poo, very occasionally it could be described as slime too - but difficult to say if its any different to the norm. Everything you describe does sound spot on.

Was there any outward change in Biba? Bertie is the same as ever, will go from a vomit to play in seconds, and is always on top form.

I have an appointment at the vets in an hour.

...and he's just been sick. 

Thanks for taking the time to reply all, much appreciated.

[bibathediva]

it wasn't until we had found out what was wrong with her and changed her diet and this new energetic happy dog came out that we realised that she had very slowly declined into a lethargic,miserable,unenthusiastic dog..she just wasn't right before but it was hard to put your finger on what was wrong..apart from the sickness..

have to say my vet wasn't very good with the diagnosis..just said she had colitis she might grow out of it and if it gets any worse will prescribe antibiotics  that was it..so did a bit of research on COL and the net and decided to try and manage it with diet...which luckily has worked so far...also read on COL that antibiotics are not that great for colitis and can actually make the problem worse
worth bearing in mind if it is that and your vet is a pill disher 
lots of good threads on here about it though with loads of great tips
good luck at the vets..let us know how you get on

[Bluebell]

How did you get on at the vets? Hope all is well