New Puppy Throwing Up

[Jay]

About four days ago, we brought home our 9 1/2 week old French Bulldog puppy. Each day she seems to be getting a little more comfortable, but she still seems to be on the nervous side. The problem is that she's been spitting up every now and then, a couple of times a day. I say "spitting up" because it's not really as though she's throwing up a lot of food...more like what a baby would do. It's usually a very small amount (about the size of a quarter), mostly clear, with a little bit of food in it. She's done it both shortly after eating (w/n about 20 mintues) AS WELL AS several hours (2-4 hours) after she's eaten. She seems to burp and then lick her lips quite a bit too throughout the day.

Our vet checked her out the second day we got her, so we weren't really aware that she was doing this yet. We called him the next day and he recommended some pepto bismol and thought it just might be her nerves, the new environment, being aware from brothers/sisters/mother/etc. We're still concerned though because it has continued.

She's eating fairly well (Nutro Puppy Lamb/Rice), and is playful. She likes to nap a lot too (like I'd expect any puppy to do). I can't seem to pinpoint what causes it...it doesn't seem like it's from eating too fast or playing too much...because sometimes it happens without her doing either.

If anyone has any thoughts or ideas, I'd be very appreciative.
Thanks,
Jay

[Kelly+Manja]

Hi
congrats on your new puppy. 9 and a half weeks is quite young to be able to bring her home already. Was there special circumstances?
Manja also did something similar when he was a puppy and I asked advice.(there is some feedback on one of the threads if you can find it under the health section)
Its my understanding that its a puppy thing and that their digestive systems are very sensitive. With manja however it was mostly early in the morning (just a little bit of colourless phlegm like you describe) as soon as he woke up as his stomach was empty and i guess it was the acids reacting. Also quite often there would be a little bit of a twig or plastic or something strange he had swallowed and couldnt digest. Puppies eat everything!
He has pretty much stopped doing this now however.
As long as she doesnt appear to be sick i wouldnt worry too much. If the problem worsens though definitely see the vet again.
good luck

[Jay]

Thanks for the reply. We had an English Bulldog who would throw up in the morngings like you mentioned (empty stomach sort of thing), but this is different because she's spitting up at all different times...both when she hasn't eaten for a while, and when she has. I haven't noticed anything (twigs or foreign objects) in what she's spitting up other than very small amounts of food. She burps quite a bit, and gets the hi-cups every now and then. So I'm hoping that it's like you said, a sensitive puppy digestive system.

[rudee]

I have an 11 week old who does the exact same thing- seems to happen frequently with the young frenchies. Rocco seems fine and it doesn't happen everyday that i am aware of, it has happened at night or middle of night more often than during the day-
He was at the Vet Saturday and checked out to be a perfectly healthy. He started on Bravo chix Friday and is loving it. We've had him a week and he is adjusting very well to his new environment and he too, likes to nap alot. When he first came home he wouldn't let me turn him onto his belly but now he's completely relaxed and trust me to turn him over for a good belly rub.
In taking consideration of the reflux idea i have been feeding him a little bit of food before he goes to bed for the night and it seems to have help. I'm just keeping a close eye on him to see if i need to ask the Vet for ideas.

rudee

[Borgan]

Sounds like regurge. Try spreading her food out on a big plate so she can't wolf it down so fast. When I'm in a piggy mood and I eat lots, the same thing happens to me - hours later.

[Jay]

Thanks for all the replies so far. We're keeping a close eye on her and then we'll check with the vet towards the end of the week. Any other comments or suggestions are appreciated.

Jay

[Carolyn]

Hi Jay, and welcome. We had the same experience with Ferris. He would urp up mostly a small amount of liquid but sometimes with a couple pieces of kibble. He would do this mostly first thing in the morning. I thought this was a "puppy" thing and might be related to his frequent hiccups. But...it never went away. My brother is also our vet and he decided to treat him first for esopogeal reflux. We have been giving Ferris two different meds and so far this seems to be taking care of the problem. Ferris, however, does not have any breathing problems and we were never concerned about palate/nares issues. Do you have a vet who is familiar with flat faced breeds? Let us know how your pup does. Carolyn

[Jay]

Hi Judy and Carolyn
Thanks for the replies. I'm glad I found this website...friendly people and helpful information! As for Chilly (that's her name), actually she isn't spitting up as much as those first few days...I'm hoping it continues to get less frequent. She's still burping and hic-cupping, but the spitting up seems to have subsided. We've been feeding her about a 1/2 cup two to three times a day. Sometimes she eats most all of it, and other times she couldn't be bothered and doesn't eat much at all. I guess that's o.k., but it's not something we are used to because our old dog (English Bulldog) would never leave a single piece of food over.

Another question, if anyone cares to add their $0.02...Chilly just turned 10 weeks and while she's playful at times, she naps a lot. She really likes her crate and goes in there on her own all the time to sleep. She also is constantly squirming her way into our laps to nap. Is it fairly typical for puppies this young to sleep so much? Do they tend to get more playful and energetic as they get a bit older?

We are going to the vet in a few days for her next round of shots, so I'm going to ask him what he thinks. As for our vet, while I wouldn't call him a specialist with flat-faced breeds, he used to treat our bulldog and has several flat-faced patients.

Anyways, thanks for the comments...,
Jay

[franp]

Sleeping is , I think essential at Chilly's age. I , for one. tend to forget that puppies are BABIES (duh)..

As Judy said, if you are worried , take her to the vet and also call the breeder.But I think that she is still very young and may also be a little overwhelmed by her surroundings.

Some pups also are quieter than others.Don't know if it is an old wife's tale; but everyone says that the pieds are more high energy than other colors.

My Dari, as a young pup was a snuggler.Still as an adult , when it is time to go to sleep, she can not get close enough to me.If we are on the couch she has to be near me; not necessarily touching; just near.But as a pup; she demanded to be in my lap at all times.
Did I object; NO! :lol:

[Linnysmommy]

I think at 10 weeks old, puppies do sleep a lot. Lenny slept a lot when we first brought him home. Now that he is 16 weeks, he doesn't sleep near as much. He loves to play, get into thinks and just plain have fun. He is still a snuggler, but only after he has had his fill of playing.

I do agree, If you are concerned talk to your vet about it.

[Jay]

Well, after my last post I began to realize that Chilly, in addition to being inactive, she seemed to be limping ever so slightly. We therefore took her to the vet, who confirmed that it looked her right leg was bothering her. After an examintation and x-rays, he couldn't seem to find anything definitive. He prescribed a mild anti-inflamatory/pain medication. By the late afternoon, she was a new dog...much more playful than she's been since we've brought her home...and more of what I'd expect from a puppy. Today has been even better!!! appicon She's napping, but boy oh boy is she playful! I guess she was mellow because her leg was bothering her. Still not sure what the deal was/is with her leg, but the vet didn't seem to be concerned. We're breathing a big sigh of relief. Thanks for everyones' comments and suggestions...I'm really glad to have found this place! :)

Jay