Our question this week was:

My 7-year-old golden retriever started vomiting 3 days ago. First was her dinner, then mucus 2 times on the 2nd day, today once mucus with blood in it. The blood was swirled in the mucus, some like little blood clots & the mucus was tinted reddish. Not bright red but it was a brown red & the clots were dark. We also notice blood drops on the floor. So we checked and she's bleeding from her vagina. It's a dark brown red. Not like when she's in heat. She can't be in heat cause she was already in heat last month (Jan). I plan on taking her to the vet, but will probably put her down if it's going to be expensive. What could possibly be wrong? My daughters crying & we don't know what to do.

Please help!

Tricia Hinkle


Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. I'm very sorry to hear about your golden. From what you told me, there are a couple problems. First, she has been vomiting for a few days, now with blood. Also, she started having bloody discharge from her vulva.

I'd recommend taking her to your veterinarian immediately. These are potentially very serious signs.

Each symptom individually can be caused by several different problems. For example, vomiting can be caused by food changes, infections, foreign bodies as well as a number of metabolic diseases. Vomiting with blood can be caused by bleeding problems, tumors, and ulcers.

Bleeding from the vulva can be caused from heat cycle and bleeding problems.

I'd concerned that she may have some bleeding problem caused by platelet malfunction or from getting into a toxin. There is nothing you can do at home. I'd take her to your vet, allow them to do some blood tests and based on the results find out what they think it can be. From there they can recommend a treatment.

A couple articles that might be helpful to you is on Petplace.com include: "Hematemesis" (Vomiting Blood) in Dogs", "Vaginal Discharge in Dogs", and "Bleeding Disorders in Dogs".


Best of luck!


Dr. Jon



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