What the two-hour delay tells you
Vomiting two hours after eating raw elderberries fits the typical toxin timeline—long enough for digestion to start releasing cyanogenic glycosides. Your Yorkie's 4kg size means they likely ingested a concerning dose if "some" means more than 2-3 berries. The vomiting is the body's attempt to expel toxins, but it doesn't mean all harmful compounds are gone.
Watch the vomit's contents—if you see berry skins or seeds, more irritants remain in the system. Even after visible material is expelled, dissolved toxins continue absorbing. Subsequent vomiting episodes may produce frothy bile or mucus as the stomach lining becomes increasingly irritated.
Why smaller dogs show prolonged symptoms
At 4kg, your Yorkie lacks the body mass to dilute toxins effectively. What might cause a single vomiting episode in a larger dog can lead to recurrent waves of nausea in small breeds. The initial vomiting at 10 AM was likely just the first phase—many dogs experience renewed stomach cramping 4-6 hours later as remaining toxins circulate.
Monitor for "dry heaving" where your dog retches without producing much vomit—this suggests ongoing gastric distress. Small dogs are also prone to dehydration from fluid loss; check for sticky gums or skin that tents when gently pulled. The berries' toxins can affect bowel motility, leading to diarrhea that appears 6-12 hours post-ingestion.
The next twelve hours after first vomiting
Between hours 2-6 post-ingestion, many dogs experience a temporary lull in symptoms before diarrhea develops. Don't mistake this for recovery—the toxins are still active. Watery stools often contain mucus and may have a peculiar sweet smell from glycoside byproducts. Your Yorkie may strain frequently as intestinal irritation continues.
By evening (8-12 hours after ingestion), watch for subtle neurological signs like mild trembling or reluctance to jump. Small breeds often show these before obvious weakness. If your dog starts seeking cool floor surfaces to lie on, it may indicate nausea or internal overheating from toxin metabolism.
When rehydration becomes critical
For a 4kg dog, multiple vomiting episodes plus diarrhea can cause dangerous fluid loss within 12 hours. Offer small licks of water, but don't let them gorge—a distended stomach may trigger more vomiting. If the water isn't staying down after two attempts, they need veterinary rehydration support.
Persistent vomiting beyond 8 hours post-ingestion often requires antiemetics to break the cycle. At your Yorkie's size, waiting overnight risks dehydration complications. The raw berries' toxins have likely caused all the symptoms they're going to by now—if vomiting continues, it's a sign the body needs help to recover.
The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Elderberry food facts page.