Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my dog lethargic and vomiting often, but not everyday?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | spayed | 25 lbs

If my dog gets lethargic and vomits often but not everyday. Should I be concerned?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on March 24, 2020

It sounds as Lacey is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking her to the vet the first chance you get, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better. if the vet thinks it is more serious she will need a blood test and possibly an ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on July 13, 2019
It sounds as Bruno is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking him to the vet the first chance you get, he will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection he will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on May 9, 2018
It sounds as Paris is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking her to the vet the first chance you get, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better. if the vet thinks it is more serious she will need a blood test and possibly an ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My 9-year-old dog is vomiting often and lethargic. What's wrong?

It sounds as Mady is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking her to the vet the first chance you get, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better. if the vet thinks it is more serious she will need a blood test and possibly an ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong.

Updated on September 23, 2025

My dog is vomiting, pooping blood, and acting strange. Is it serious?

Lacey needs to be seen by veterinarian immediately. This could indicate a severe case of colitis or gastritis, a severe infection, a foreign body, internal bleeding or even something as serious as parvovirus. Dogs can get very dehydrated from this and have secondary issues with her kidneys and liver. Do not give her anything to eat or medication until she is seen by a veterinarian.

Updated on September 23, 2025

My dog just threw up once and is lethargic. Should I take her to vet?

It sounds like Princess is unwell. She could have a GI illness, may have eaten something rotten, a foreign body, or pancreatitis. I see that she is unspayed, and an infection of the uterus called a pyometra occurs in unspayed dogs and causes these symptoms. For now, I recommend monitoring her. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, and then feed her boiled white meat chicken and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. If she keeps that down, you can slowly add back in her normal diet. Monitor her closely for signs of a pyometra, such as more vomiting, her belly becoming swelling, extreme lethargy, and discharge from her vagina. You can also take her temperature to monitor for fever, which would be above 102.5F. If you see any of those signs I mentioned above, take her into a vet immediately. In addition, if the vomiting continues in the absence of food, she vomiting the bland diet, she develops diarrhea, she stops drinking water and start vomiting water, or she becomes very lethargic, take her into your vet right away.

Updated on September 23, 2025

My dog is throwing up undigested food and clear liquid. What to do?

It sounds as Lilly is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking her to the vet the first chance you get, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better. if the vet thinks it is more serious she will need a blood test and possibly an ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Why is my dog throwing up food and water and acting strange?

It sounds as Kehlani is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking her to the vet the first chance you get, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better. if the vet thinks it is more serious she will need a blood test and possibly an ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong.

Updated on September 23, 2025

My dog is lethargic, vomiting, and not eating. Should I go to the vet?

It sounds like Ginny definitely has some GI distress going on if she is very lethargic, vomiting, and not eating. I would schedule a vet visit to have her examined if it continues, and if she seems in severe distress, has a very painful abdomen, or looks bloated, bring her in ASAP or to a local ER clinic. Various causes, such as general GI upset, obstructions, parasites, illness, pancreatitis, etc can all cause similar symptoms to this, so an exam to find the cause is best.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My dog is vomiting and sleeping a lot. Why is she so sick?

There are many causes for [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/vomiting-1/) and lethargy in dogs. Your dog could have a severe GI illness, [pancreatitis](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-pancreatitis), a foreign body causing an [obstruction](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/bowel-obstruction-in-dogs), or may have eaten something rotten. I recommend withhold food for 12-24 hours, and then feeding her a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice in small amounts for several times a day. After a couple of days of the bland diet, you can slowly add back in her normal diet. If she continues to vomit in the absence of food, vomits the bland diet, stops drinking water and vomiting water, has diarrhea, and/or becomes very lethargic, you need to take her into your vet immediately.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share