Discover the common causes of dog vomiting and find helpful tips to support your furry friend. Understand when to seek veterinary care and when home remedies can be applied.
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Introduction:
As a pet owner, you want to make sure that your furry friend is always healthy and happy. However, dogs, like humans, can fall ill from time to time. One common issue that pet owners face is their dog vomiting. It’s normal for a dog to throw up occasionally, but when it becomes a frequent occurrence, it can be a sign of an underlying health problem. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons dogs vomit and what you can do to help your pet feel better.
Did you know that about 35% of dogs will experience vomiting at some point in their lives? This is a common issue that can be caused by various factors, from eating too quickly to more severe underlying health issues. While occasional vomiting might not be a cause for concern, frequent or severe vomiting could be a sign that something is wrong. So, let’s dive in and find out why dogs vomit and what you can do to help your furry friend.
Why Do Dogs Vomit?
Sometimes, a dog might throw up because it ate something bad or gobbled down its food too quickly. Sometimes, throwing up can mean something serious is going on with your dog. For example, your dog might have eaten something poisonous or be sick with a condition that needs urgent treatment. Other times, vomiting could be a sign of bigger problems with your dog’s stomach or other parts of its body. It’s important to see a vet to make sure your dog gets the right care they need from a veterinarian.
What Might Cause A Sudden, or Acute, Episode of Vomiting?
- Bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract
- Diet-related causes (diet change, food intolerance, ingestion of garbage)
- Foreign bodies (i.e. toys, bones, pieces of chewier in the gastrointestinal tract
- Intestinal parasites
- Acute kidney failure
- Acute liver failure or gall bladder inflammation
- Pancreatitis
- Post-operative nausea
- Ingestion of toxic substances
- Viral infections
- Certain medications or anesthetic agents
- Bloat
- Heatstroke
- Car sickness
- Infected uterus
If your dog vomits off and on for a while, it might be because of inflammation in its stomach or intestines, severe constipation, cancer, kidney or liver problems, or another type of illness.
What Should I Do If My Dog Vomits Much?
An occasional, isolated bout of vomiting may not be of concern. However, frequent or chronic vomiting can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as colitis, intestinal obstruction, or parvovirus. If your dog’s vomiting is not an isolated incident, please bring him to the vet right away for a complete examination and diagnostic testing.
What Other Symptoms Should I Watch for?
It can be tough to figure out what’s making your dog throw up because there are so many possible causes. That’s why it’s important to tell your vet everything you know about your dog’s symptoms and any other problems they’re having. The more information you can provide, the better your vet can help your furry friend. What to watch for:
- Frequency of vomiting. If your dog throws up once, eats normally, and has regular bowel movements afterward, it was probably a one-time thing.
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Blood in vomit
- Weight loss
- Change in appetite
- Increase or decrease in thirst or urination
When Is It Time To See The Vet?
Please see your vet if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, if your dog vomits more than once during a day, or if vomiting persists past one day.
How Will My Vet Determine What’s Causing the Vomiting?
Depending on your pet’s age, medical history, physical examination findings, and your dog’s particular symptoms. Your vet might do some tests to figure out what’s causing your dog’s symptoms. They’ll look at your dog’s age, health history, and physical exam results to decide what tests to do. Some of the tests your vet might do include bloodwork, x-rays, ultrasound, checking your dog’s poop, looking inside your dog’s body with a tiny camera, taking a small piece of tissue to examine, or even doing surgery to check inside’s, your veterinarian may choose to perform various diagnostic tests (bloodwork, radiographs, ultrasound, fecal examination, endoscopy, biopsy, or even exploratory surgery) to make a diagnosis.
What Are Some Treatment Options?
Treat your dog like a sick child and feed them homemade meals, like boiled potatoes, rice, and well-cooked chicken without skin. In certain situations, your dog may require fluid therapy, antibiotics, a change in diet, antiemetics (drugs to help control vomiting), or other medication. It is best to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations regarding appropriate treatment.