We usually get rid of anything which is toxic to us, may it be a relationship or a place or a person. Our stomachs do the same. Vomiting is the body's way of ridding itself of harmful substances from the stomach, or it may be a reaction to something that has irritated the gut. And this is again similar to the way a dog’s or any other animal’s stomach for that matter, works. Food allergies, infections of the stomach or bowels, such as the "stomach flu" or food poisoning are common causes of vomiting within dogs. Vomiting can be a common symptom or even a life threatening one at times if not diagnosed and treated properly. Here is everything you need to know about vomiting in dogs.
Common causes of Vomiting in Dogs
Dietary indiscretion –This is basically eating something they shouldn’t have. For e.g. Macadamia nuts, raw This is the most common cause of vomiting in dogs
Change in diet – A sudden change in diet or a potential food intolerance to a specific food or some kind of allergy
Intestinal Parasites – worms including roundworms, heartworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms can be ingested a lot of times when food is not washed properly or eaten raw. These can cause a vomit
Ingestion of foreign bodies – these may include toys, sticks or bones
Car or Motion sickness – Just like in humans
Heatstroke – Usually caused by leaving a dog alone in a car or during long walk sessions under the hot sun
Reaction – Certain medication or anesthetics can also cause vomiting as a reaction
Viral infection – such as rotavirus
Bacterial infection – including leptospirosis, colibacillosis and salmonellosis
Organ Failure – Kidney failure or liver failure may result in food not processing properly and hence coming out of the body through the mouth
Pancreatitis – This is a condition where the pancreas get inflamed
Bloating – Usually caused by eating too fast or overeating
Gastrointestinal disease – such as IBD or Inflammatory Bowel Disease
There can be other reasons too but these are most commonly seen ones. There can also be other reasons such as acute liver failure, intestinal obstruction, constipation, parvovirus, colitis, uterine infection or even cancer.
When you should be concerned about Dog Vomiting?
Vomiting is perfectly normal within dogs and can happen due to various reasons. But it can turn ugly when the frequency rises or if there are other symptoms coupled with vomiting. Certain cases when you should rush to the vet are –
If the dog ingested a foreign body or something poisonous
There is blood in their stools or vomit
The vomiting seems more frequent than usual
Continuously retching is happening but there is nothing coming up
You can sense pain or discomfort in your dog
When your dog is demonstrating signs of depression and lethargy
When he/she is dehydrated
Loss of weight and appetite is seen
When their body feels feverish and has a high temperature
The vomiting is followed by seizures
Treatment for Vomiting in Dogs
It will all depend on the underlying reason of the vomiting and how severe or normal it is. If one or more additional symptoms are seen along with vomiting then it is always better to contact your vet immediately. The vet will first identify the reason behind the sickness. There maybe some tests recommended which may include –
Blood tests
Fecal tests
Ultrasound
Biopsy
Radiographs
Endoscopy
Now these things should be left to your vet as he/she is the expert in doing the right thing and treating the dog as soon as possible. But there are some things that the pet parents can do to avoid or limit the symptoms and try to cure the vomiting at home. These include –
Starvation – A short period of starvation (approximately 12-15 hours) can help the dog’s stomach to settle things down within and can stop vomiting.
Small and blended meals – Most of the dogs are lazy when it comes to chewing, just like the little human babies. The food hence does not get digested properly. When the meal fed is blended properly and given in multiple small portions rather than 1 big meal, it puts lesser pressure on the stomach to digest and is taken in easily.
Bland food – Spicy foods are more of a reason for vomiting as compared to spicy foods. This is probably because of the acid reflux caused by spices. Bland diets are available in tins or alternatively you can give them plain boiled rice and chicken breast or white fish
Avoid Fat – When your dog is sick and vomiting, avoid giving anything which is fatty in nature. Fatty foods are usually more difficult to digest and won’t help at the time when the dog’s stomach is already upset.
Water Please – There is no better medicine than plain water. It keeps your dog hydrated and helps in compensating the water content lost in the body due to vomiting. Also, make sure the water is drank in small proportions and throughout the day.
Rest – Rest is what doctors recommend us when we feel sick, and it is the same a vet would say for a dog. It is anyways unlikely that the dog may feel very energetic when he/she is in sickness. Resting helps organs recover back to normal.
Conclusion
Vomiting or puking is completely normal for a dog and even good at times to avoid the ingestion of anything foreign or poisonous into the blood. However, it can also be a severe issue when there are other symptoms or frequent episodes of vomiting. In either of the cases, it is important that you consult with your vet, diagnose the root cause and fix it at the earliest. Keep the food healthy, training regular and love constant to lower the risks sickness for your dogs.
Happy Mood and Health to your Doggo and lots of Love and Licks to you!
