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My puppy is very sick, vomiting, won't eat or drink. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | unspayed

My friend's puppy is very sick. She won't eat or drink, we've had to force her. She's vomiting every so often, won't open her mouth unless it's to vomit but has drool all in her mouth. No bloody stool as far as I know. She looks so helpless and if she gets outside, she goes and hides herself. Lost a lot of weight within 3 days. Help please, I don't want her to die. What do I do? What's wrong with her?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 14th, 2019

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like Joplin is very very sick. She might have a condition called "Parvovirus" which is a very serious virus that affects puppies, and is more likely if Joplin is unvaccinated. The other possible causes in a puppy include an obstruction in her gut (a blockage from a foreign object (ex. ball) that she ate, or an intussusception (the intestines telescoping in on each other). Also, depending on her age, pyometra is possible along with many other conditions. With what you are describing, I am very concerned that she could die without aggressive care. I strongly recommend you get Joplin to a vet right away, and if your vet is closed go to your closest emergency clinic. They will recommend a test of her poop, as well as possible bloodwork and x-rays, and will likely want to keep her in hospital on IV fluids and medications. Best of luck with Joplin, I hope she feels better soon!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 2nd, 2017

    I would be concerned for an infection, parasites, or dietary indiscretion. Parvo is common in puppies and has vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia. It often progress to bloody diarrhea and causes extreme dehydration. They should check a stool sample to make sure there are no parasites or bacteria and there is a very accurate test to test for parvo. Usually they require hospitalization if it is positive. If all of those are normal, they can check for a foreign body to make sure she is not obstructed and didn't eat something she wasn't suppose to. Either way I would worry about her getting dehydrated since she is getting worse and have seen again for further testing

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on November 23rd, 2018

    Hi there! Sorry to hear that Nala is not feeling well. The clinical signs you describe are concerning when they occur in a puppy as they can be seen with serious gastrointestinal infections such as Parvovirus. Other possibilities include intestinal worms and dietary indiscretion, among other possibilities. The sooner these conditions are treated the better the outcome tends to be. For this reason, I recommend that you have Nala evaluated by your veterinarian to check for these possibilities and to start therapy based on findings. At the very least they can address dehydration if present and start her on anti diarrhea medications. Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed for your girl!

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    Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 30th, 2018

    I would recommend seeing a veterinarian right away - at her age watery diarrhea and vomiting can quickly lead to dehydration. She could have intestinal parasites, and even though the diarrhea does not smell like parvovirus it would still be a possibility.

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