Vomiting is a symptom of many different
diseases, and depending on its underlying cause it may be a short-lived
annoyance or a sign that major troubles are afoot.
"If your dog has vomited a few times but is not in any distress, you can try treating him at home"
When Should Owners Be Concerned
If your dog has vomited just a few
times but is otherwise behaving normally, you probably do not need to
rush him in to see the veterinarian. Very likely your dog has
just eaten something that does not agree with him, and his symptoms will
pass. But, if your dog's vomiting does not resolve in a day
or two, or if he is very young, very old, or has a health condition that
could make him unable to handle even a mild bout of vomiting, call your
vet immediately.
Gastrointestinal symptoms that warrant a quick trip to the veterinarian include:
- The sudden onset of severe
vomiting
- Repeated attempts to vomit
but nothing comes up
- The presence of blood in
the vomit
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Changes in your pet's
level of awareness
- Severe diarrhea
- The inability to drink and
hold down water
The Causes of Vomiting
The list of diseases that can cause a dog to vomit is very long:
- Intestinal
parasites
- Dietary indiscretion
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Motion
sickness
- Foreign
bodies or other blockages in the intestines
- Viral or bacterial infections
- Organ dysfunction (e.g.,
pancreatic, kidney or liver disease)
- Food allergies or intolerance
- Some types of poisonings
- The side-effects of treatment
with certain drugs
- Cancer
Coming to a definitive diagnosis often
requires a thorough health work-up, which may involve blood work, a
urinalysis, fecal examinations, x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, specialized
laboratory tests, and even exploratory surgery or endoscopy with tissue
biopsies.
If your dog has vomited a few times
but is not in any distress, you can try treating him at home.
Take away all sources of food and water for six to eight hours.
If he does not vomit during that time, give him a small amount of water
or an electrolyte
solution. If he can
hold that down, gradually reintroduce larger amounts of water.
If after 12 hours of being allowed to drink he is still not vomiting,
offer a small meal of boiled white meat chicken (no bones and no skin)
mixed with white rice. If he can eat this without vomiting, increase
the size and decrease the frequency of his meals over a day or two and
then start mixing in his regular food. The whole process should
take between three and five days. If at any point he starts to
vomit again, see your veterinarian.
Whenever possible, treatment for vomiting
should be aimed at an underlying condition, but symptomatic therapy
may be necessary while a dog is recovering or if a cause cannot be found
or adequately resolved. In these cases, your veterinarian may
prescribe a special diet and anti-nausea
medications.
The above is provided for information purposes only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any condition.
This information does not cover all possible variables, conditions, reactions, or risks relating to any topic, medication, or product and should not
be considered complete. Certain products or medications may have risks and you should always consult your local veterinarian concerning the treatment of
your pet. Any trademarks are the property of their respective owners.