chihuahua vomits at least twice a day

My 5 lb chihuahua has been throwing up a lot lately. At least twice a day vomit squirts out of her mouth all of a sudden and she hurries to lick it up.  This is not the normal way that she throws up. Usually she heaves for a minute and throws up stuff.  It is worring me because it happens so often and it is almost like she has acid reflex or something.

Is it normal for her to throw up like this? Or should I take her to a doctor.


She is healthy and eats and drinks well. The only things i can think of that might be considered unhealthy or a cause, are that she rolls in bird poop, a lot.  She also only goes to the restroom three times a day.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

You should take her to the vet for an evaluation.  Pets can get gastric reflux, but it is usually due to an underlying cause.

Bird poop contains lots of parasites and fungal and bacterial infections, i.e.: salmonella comes from chickens, which are birds.  Since she exposed to bird poop please have a fecal analysis performed for giardia, other protozoa, nematodes, coccidia, and fungal and bacteria GI infections.  A culture and sensitivity of the stool may be necessary if the fecal analysis is negative.

Other causes of frequent vomiting are inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, kidney and liver disease, endocrine disorders and more, but parasites are highest on the rule out list.

If you would like to try a home remedy first, give your dog 1/4 of a tablet of pepcid each morning.  Try it for a few days.  If this in ineffective, please take her to the vet.