Dog Vomiting: Things you need to know
Dog Vomiting
by Lisa Taylor
There are a few things you should know about dog vomiting. First, it is important to determine if your dog is actually vomiting or if they are just retching. Retching is when a dog brings up fluids or food without actually vomiting. Vomiting is when a dog expels food or fluids that have already been digested.
If your dog is vomiting, you will likely see undigested food or blood in the vomit. If your dog is just retching, you may see mostly clear fluids. If your dog is vomiting, you will want to take them to the vet to determine the cause. Vomiting can be caused by a variety of things, including eating something that disagrees with them, a virus, or an underlying health condition. If your dog is just retching, you may be able to treat the problem at home.
Common causes of dog vomiting
Eating something that disagrees with them:
If your dog eats something that they are not used to, it can upset their stomach and cause them to vomit. This is especially common in puppies who are still exploring their world and putting everything in their mouths.
Eating too much or too fast:
If your dog eats too much or too fast, it can also cause them to vomit. This is because their stomach can become distended and put pressure on their diaphragm, making it difficult to breathe.
Motion sickness:
Some dogs get motion sickness when they ride in cars or on boats. This can cause them to vomit.
Viruses:
Dogs can catch viruses just like humans. These viruses can cause them to vomit.
Bacterial infections:
Bacterial infections can also cause vomiting in dogs.
Parasites:
Dogs can get parasites, such as worms, which can cause them to vomit.
Pancreatitis:
Pancreatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the pancreas. This can lead to vomiting. Kidney disease and cancer can also cause it.
If your dog is vomiting, it is important to take note of the following:
- The color of the vomit. If it is green, yellow, or brown, this may indicate that there is bile in the vomit, which could be a sign of liver disease.
- The consistency of the vomit. If it is watery, this could be a sign of stomach flu.
- The frequency of the vomiting. If your dog is vomiting more than once, this could be a sign of a more serious condition.
- The presence of blood in the vomit. This could be a sign of a stomach ulcer or other serious condition. If your dog is vomiting, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
If you think the case does not require a visit to a vet and you’d better video chat with a professional vet from home – an online vet chat is a great option to consider. It covers the 24/7 conversation with certified veterinarians whenever and wherever you are.
How to stop the dog from vomiting:
- Give your dog ice chips to drink: Ice chips can help to stop vomiting because they help to reduce stomach irritation.
- Give your dog small amounts of water to drink or food to eat: Small amounts of water or food can help to stop the vomiting because they also help to reduce stomach irritation.
However, if nothing helps to stop the dog from vomiting, it would be wise to be subscribed to a tool that covers such emergency situations related to your pet’s health and well-being. Emergency pet fund allows you to be in touch with a vet 24/7 and also covers your doggo’s emergency case – once per year for up to 3,000 emergency vet help.
Last but not least, if your dog is vomiting, you will want to take them to the vet to determine the cause. The vet will likely do a physical examination and may also recommend some diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or blood work. Once the cause of the vomiting is determined, the vet will be able to recommend the best treatment.
