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My dog is throwing up, drooling, and won't eat or drink. What's wrong?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | neutered | 7 years and 10 months old

Hello my dog Rocky is a male labrador.He is overweight but is the most friendliest dog ever.He has been throwing up all day and does not want to eat or drink anything.He keeps on drooling and is very restless.If he throws up nothing comes oit and he also has diarhee. Please help

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Shaneez Wallani, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 23rd, 2018

Please have Rocky seen by a veterinarian right away to allow for diagnosis and treatment. I'm concerned about the possibility of bloat. Bloat (also known as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus or GDV) is a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists and distends with gas. Bloat can occur in any dog, although large deep - chested dogs like Labradors tend to be affected by it more frequently. A distended abdomen, retching/looking like he is trying to vomit without production of vomit, salivation, pale gums, and labored breathing can be signs of bloat, and if you notice these signs you should rush Rocky to the vet immediately, as it is a medical emergency and can be deadly .Vomiting could also be caused by a number of things, including parasites, diet changes, toxin ingestion, infectious viral diseases, blockage in the intestines caused by ingestion of a foreign body, food sensitivity/allergy, decreased pancreatic function, or a mass/growth in the gastrointestinal tract. Good luck, and I hope he feels better soon!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Poor Rocky sounds very ill at the moment! Labs are notorious for eating things they should not, and can get foreign bodies causing an obstruction in the GI tract due to this. This will cause the symptoms you are seeing right now. They could also be caused by a severe GI illness, eating something rotten, or a foreign body. When a dog has been vomiting all day, having diarrhea as well, and isn't even drinking, an immediate vet visit is required. He needs a shot to stop the vomiting, IV fluids for hydration, and any other treatment the vet deems necessary. The vet can diagnose what is causing his symptoms. Should he have a foreign body causing an obstruction, surgery will likely be needed to treat it. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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