View Question

Vomiting In A Dog

by CorinneC - January 14, 2026 View Case Report

Kaspar Huxley is a 5yo MN boston terrier, sl overwt, who I met December 2025 for vomiting white slimy foam, occas food pieces but normally just foam. O feeds him typically at 4pm, then has been V+ o/night off and on until 5am. Not every night, usually q 2-4 nights, more frequent than 1 year ago. O had changed his food to Acana 6mth ago and helped until recently. Then tried Hills Sc Diet, seemed fine for 1 week, then V+ again. O stretched meals out to TID, small volume + pieces as treats, but still V+. He will eat anything outside, pinecones, dirt, grass, foraging in the ground. BMs ~ TID, mostly WNL. No audible borborygmi. At this point, the O was not interested in TCM so I recommended converting to a strictly homecooked food trial for 2-3 weeks, feeding BID with a small snack before bedtime.

He came back 3 weeks later and still V+ white foam but less often. O even tried cutting food into smaller pieces and feeding sl less last 2 days and no V+. EN great throughout as are BMs. The O was now open to TCM, so some details there: overwt, sour breath; tongue lavender-pink, swollen, moist, a little slimy with kisses; pulses appear decently toned. Still eating dirt and stuff out in the yard. My TCM diagnosis was Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency, and Dampness Obstructing the Spleen and Stomach and put him on Wei Ling Tang to reduce GIT inflammation and regurgitation/vomition.

Two weeks later and he continues to V+ white foam EOD. 2 days ago he wasn't eating-, O gave eggs for supper - then after ate meal he vomited his whole dinner.

Where am I going wrong here? He is a very friendly, bubbly boston. Can't see any anxiety or Liver Blood deficient signs so doesn't seem like a YGJ dog? Seems really Spleen focused to me. These bostons and Frenchies with their vomiting issues are making my hair go white!! lol

Corinne

by CorinneC

January 17, 2026

P.S. Steve, if you see this, can you check on Stella Chapman with Wt loss update? I can't figure out how to update and get your attention for questions with these? Do I need to re-submit a whole new case?
Thank you,
Corinne

by sherebrin

January 19, 2026

Hi Corinne!
I think you need a Qi moving formula more than a tonic, something containing Bupleurum for these guys, ie XCHT, XYS or one of the standard modifications, whichever fits. Sometimes I just do a 50/50 mix. I also use melatonin for stomach and GI motility. I think a lot of the brachycephalic dogs have GERD and upper GI dysfunction from BOAS creating negative pressure in the esophagus.
PS look out for an email from AVAC in the next day or two ????

by naturevet

January 25, 2026

Hi Corinne,

Wei Ling Tang had an excellent chance of working, but now we know it won't (at least by itself), then I agree with Rona here that you might be looking at a need to Harmonize Wood and Earth, using for example Xiao Yao San.

The pale lavender tongue and deficiently toned pulse (which I might call wiry?) can signal Liver Blood deficiency and secondary Qi stagnation. The tongue swelling and the foam signal Damp. So, a Wood Earth disharmony.

There are several diagnoses worse over the winter solstice. One is Liver Blood deficiency, not so much Damp. BUT, vomiting that occurs through the night ending at 5 am suggests both a Liver issue (worse before 3 am) and a Tai Yin or Damp issue (worse after 3 am).

Taking all that together, my next choices would be:
1. Xiao Yao San
2. Xiao Chai Hu Tang, if the pulse gets a lot more excessive

Hopefully, this helps you out, and I will try now to look up Stella Chapman for you

Steve

by CorinneC

January 28, 2026

Oh thank you so much Steve (and Rona!). I actually started him on Adoptrex as I thought that was a good fit, wish I had waited as Xiao Yao San was my other thought too?!? He is not at all a grumpy boy, so Earthy and happy, so I leaned away from the XYS for this reason. As well, since he had been switched to the homecooked I thought the Minor Bupleurum made sense in Adoptrex. I will let you know how it goes, but glad to have a third option if needed!
Corinne

You must be logged in to reply

CuredCases.com