There are probably few dog owners who have not scrubbed dog vomit from their carpet at least once. But vomiting is a symptom with a long list of potential causes, from devouring chunks of your favorite chew toy to serious gastrointestinal illness. So how do pet owners know when vomiting is no big deal and when it could be a serious problem?
“If your dog vomits once but otherwise acts normally, there's probably no need to worry,” explains Dr. David Dilmore, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital. However, if your dog's vomiting persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should be concerned. “It's important to monitor your pet for changes in behavior, repeated vomiting, or other signs of illness,” he adds.
What causes dogs to vomit?
According to Dr. Steven Katz, a veterinarian and founder of the Bronx Veterinary Center in New York, one of the first things veterinarians consider when determining the cause of vomiting is the age of your pet. “If your dog is under 5 years old, he may have eaten something that made him sick…but as your dog gets older, he may have more serious illnesses involving organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. It can cause symptoms such as vomiting. ”
Dilmore added that it's important for pet owners to remember that vomiting itself may not be a disease. However, it could be a sign of another condition your dog is experiencing. “A single episode of vomiting can be related to a number of things, including eating too much, eating too fast, eating something unfamiliar, or going into the garbage,” he explains.
However, if your dog vomits repeatedly or has symptoms such as diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, pain, general discomfort, or disorientation, you should seek veterinary care immediately. “These symptoms can be signs of a variety of diseases specific to the intestine itself, including infections, pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease, foreign bodies in the intestines, as well as inflammatory diseases, parasites, and even cancer. “Yes,” warns Dr. Dilmore.
He is a veterinarian and The ultimate pet health guideThe most common causes are your dog accidentally swallowing something that isn't food, such as a sock, or going into the trash can to sample last night's leftovers. “There are millions of reasons why dogs vomit, but the most common is that they ate something they shouldn't have,” he explains. “But it can also be caused by many other conditions, from infections to certain organ diseases to cancer. It's a huge range.”
prevent dog vomiting
There are many causes of vomiting, so there are several ways to prevent it. According to Dilmore, there are several ways to prevent vomiting in dogs. That includes observing your dog while he eats to make sure he's not swallowing the food too quickly. Pet owners should also avoid feeding their dogs “human” food that can cause stomach upset, especially without consulting a veterinarian.
“Also, be sure to bring fresh, cold water and a bowl when you go for a walk, hike, or to the dog park. Streams, lakes, and shared bowls can contain giardia and other substances that can harm your pet. They may include diseases such as leptospirosis,” he added.
diagnosis and treatment
Treatment for vomiting in dogs varies greatly depending on the underlying cause. In some cases, Dr. Richter recommends giving your dog bland foods like chicken or rice to give their stomachs a rest, or withholding food for a day (and only after consulting your veterinarian) and replacing it with plenty of water. Point out that you will need to give. Depending on the cause of your vomiting, several medications may be appropriate. Katz notes that antibiotics may also be given if it is related to a bacterial problem. Depending on the severity of the vomiting, your dog may need to be treated for dehydration.
“Your veterinarian may also choose to perform blood tests to check your pet's organ function. Issues such as high blood pressure or kidney failure can be extreme examples of what causes your dog to vomit. Because there is,” he added. Another important reason why dogs vomit is if they eat something that causes their intestines to become blocked and they can't hold back food or water. “Foreign body ingestion in dogs can occur at any age and may require surgery,” Katz says.
In any case, if your dog vomits, consult your veterinarian to determine the best course of treatment, especially if you are considering over-the-counter medications or home treatments. “Each case is different, so be sure to consult your veterinarian to determine whether your dog needs a particular type of medication,” Dilmore concludes. “Some over-the-counter medicines for humans can be harmful to pets if not used properly under the guidance of a veterinarian.”
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Featured image credit: WilleeCole | Thinkstock.
