Hi All,

My 6 month old Rottweiler puppy was lethargic and refused to eat even some ham I offered him (this is a dog that will normally eat anything at any time) yesterday morning when he woke up. Today he's worse, he's throw up 5 times that I know about (I saw him digging a hole, vomiting in to it, and covering it up once, so I must assume he might have thrown up a few more times). He has not eaten or drank anything all day, his throw up is liquid and he can't do anything but lay on the ground (he barely walks, he doesn't even want to go through the garbage or chase the cat).

The vet said he didn't have a fever and I can't find any of his feces to check if he has diarrhea or blood. The vet gave him a shot, recommended Aluminum solution every 8 hours and to give him those fruity packets of re-hydration powder so he doesn't get dehydrated. The problem is he is throwing up the medicine right after I give it to him and he refuses to drink (I even tried putting chicken bullion cubes in the water).

The vet is closed tomorrow and I live in Nicaragua so there is no animal hospital to go to, so my questions are: should I open his mouth and pour water down his throat so he doesn't get dehydrated? Should I give him more of the Aluminum solution if he throws up his dosage? Are there any other ways to keep my puppy hydrated while he's sick? Thanks everyone, I'm so worried about my baby!

Sadly, if he keeps throwing up the rehydration meds he won't be able to hold down water either.

Try pedialyte, it's used on babies when they're dehydrated and it is safe for dogs. If he's even able to keep a little down it will help until you can get him back to the vet.

Most drug stores carry it, but that's in Canada, I'm not sure about your neck of the woods, what type of stores or products you have there. I hope you can find some.

Do not force it down his throat, try using a medication syringe, a little at a time that way it will be easier for his stomach to handle.

One syringe full every 15 minutes, that's what I would do.

Keep in mind that I'm not a vet, I've just had dogs all my life, have 3 now. The pedialyte treatment was once recommended to me by my vet which is why I'm recommending it to you.

Of course the best solution would be a vet, asap.