For most people, a sign of your dog vomiting is a cause for immediate concern. Vomit, puke, or hurl, whatever you call it, vomit is gross and nobody wants to see their puppy in such a state.
The problem with trying to figure out the cause of vomiting can turn out to be a nightmare for dog owners, just because most online researchers end up with the worst-case scenario.
However, it is not unusual for dogs to throw up. There are many different reasons why your dog might vomit, and some are more concerning than others. So, what can you do if you see your dog vomiting? And how to know if it is serious?
Vomiting Vs. Regurgitation
Before we go any further, it is important to set a clear line between vomiting and regurgitation. When dogs vomit, they are forcefully ejecting all the things they ate during the day of their stomach and upper small intestine, leaving you with a mess on your carpet.
Prior to this unpleasant event, dogs show signs of nausea, with excessive growling and contractions of the abdomen just like with humans.
On the other hand, regurgitation is very different. Unlike vomiting where all the things are ejected from the stomach by force, regurgitation is a passive motion that expels undigested food and fluids. The signs of regurgitation are having difficulty breathing and coughing.
One way of finding out whether your dog is regurgitated or vomited is to go through their thrown up. Regurgitated substances are undigested and still keep the cylindrical shape of the esophagus.
When Dog Vomiting Isn’t A Cause For Concern?
Long-term dog owners already know that dog vomiting comes with the process of owning a dog and in most cases is normal. Even healthy dogs, occasionally get sick for no apparent reason and then continue with their healthy life as nothing happened.
There are many reasons why your dog is vomiting such as eating too quickly, swallowing something disagreeable, or eateing too much grass. This type of vomiting shouldn’t raise concerns with dog owners.
But when vomiting sounds the alarm and becomes a cause for concern?
It is very normal for dogs to vomit occasionally without having other symptoms. However, if your dog’s vomiting can be described as any of the following, it is time to do something about it.
- Vomiting blood
- Vomiting a lot at one time
- Chronic vomiting
- Continuous vomiting
- Vomiting followed by other symptoms like weight loss, anemia, or fever
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting without anything coming up
Since knowing the cause of vomiting is hard to determine, especially with new dog owners, it is best to play it safe and call your vet immediately.
What Is Acute Vomiting And What Are The Causes?
Acute vomiting can be described as sudden or severe vomiting, which should raise some concerns when it comes to your dog’s health. Such a sudden burst of vomit is a serious symptom for quite a few disorders, diseases, and complications that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Causes for acute vomiting:
- Kidney failure
- Toxins or poisons
- Ingestion or irritating substance
- Diet change
- Viral infection
- Heart stroke
- Intestinal parasites
- Bacterial infection
It is best if you call your vet and tell them the symptoms that your dog is experiencing just to help them narrow down the cause. There are different symptoms that will help you determine what caused the vomiting.
For instance, if your dog vomits after being outside in the hot sun, or is trapped in a hot car, then heatstroke should be the main suspect. Or if your dog went through the garbage, then toxins or foreign bodies are more likely.
Since you know your dog’s behavior and it is easier for you to spot something unlike the usual. Try to fill your vegetarian with all the information that could have contributed to your dog’s condition.
What Is Chronic Vomiting And What Are The Causes?
If your dog vomits once in a while, it is not something to worry about, but if your dog has chronic vomiting or is more frequent and long-term, it should be a cause for concern. In most cases, chronic vomiting is treatable, but it should be addressed as soon as possible.
Chronic vomiting can lead to dehydration and loss of appetite, which can seriously affect your dog’s health. On top of that most chronic vomiting conditions wouldn’t go away on their own and require the intervention of a veterinarian.
Vomiting In Puppies
When we talk about the little ones, the situation is a bit different and puppy vomiting should always be treated as a potential cause for concern. Puppies are born with immunity passed by their mothers, which lasts around six weeks. On top of that, puppies only just begin receiving vaccinations, which increases the risk of contracting something serious like parasites or parvo.
So, if you notice your puppy vomiting, you should immediately call your vet.
Diagnosing Cause Of Vomiting In Dogs
It is always hard to diagnose disease in dogs, even for vets that don’t know much about the dog. That’s why your input and information are very much needed for determining the cause of the problem.
After analyzing the information that you gave to your vet, they will perform a physical examination, run additional tests like blood work or x-rays just to have a better idea about what caused this reaction.
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Treating Vomiting In Dogs
As we mentioned earlier, in most cases dog’s vomiting is normal and will go away on its own. However, if the situation isn’t improving, a professional treatment plan is crucial for your dog. After your vet determines the cause of this reaction he or she will address these problems by treating the symptoms and prescribing anti-nausea medications.
In the meantime, you can limit their diet and avoid giving them food for at least 12 to 24 hours. However, don’t forget about water, since vomiting can dehydrate your dog and possibly lead to more serious issues. Track their situation throughout the day and if you don’t see signs of improvement after a day, it is time to call in for some professional help.
