Vomiting up blood

[SoManyBubbles]

About a month ago my dog was throwing up stomach bile like once or twice a week, then it stopped for a while. I tried to get my mom to take her to the vet but she didn't think it was anything to worry about. Lately she's been puking up nothing, like she dry-heaves and makes a coughing noise as she does it. But she's still her normal-self, hyper and energetic. She vomited today and there was blood in it, even though it was barely noticeable.  Is this serious? She's a 2 year old Rottweiler-German Shepard mix. What are possible causes?

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

First ensure that your young dog is not regularly eating dumb stuff like grass or other outside debris. If that is occurring, stop it with your leash. (Allow no unleased outside time and see if the signs stop for one month.)

Then talk to your veterinarian about a workup for dietary intolerance, for inflammatory bowel disease and for other illnesses causing "chronic intermittent vomiting."

Good luck.

Dr G

[SoManyBubbles]

Thank you for your answer, it was helpful!