Dog Vomiting

Dog Vomiting – How Do You Deal with It?

Dogs vomit when they have eaten something disagreeable to their stomach. In other cases, vomiting can indicate your dog might have consumed a toxic material, or might be a sign your dog has a serious medical problem.

Signs to look out for

Some of the common signs to look out for that show your dog is about to vomit include drooling, swallowing excessively and licking lips. Some dogs might also eat grass to protect their throat from being hurt by sharp materials like bone remains when they vomit. 

Why do dogs’ vomit?

Vomiting is an essential function for dogs as they have a reputation for consuming almost anything they come across. It is a sign the body is correcting a mistake. Other common causes of vomiting in dogs may include motion disease and the common vomiting syndrome caused by nausea. Vomiting might also be a sign of potentially serious illness such as:

• Pancreatic disease
• Head trauma 
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Pancreatic disease
• Intolerance or food allergies
• Head trauma

Types of Dog Vomit

While it might sound unpleasant, you should try and check your dog’s vomit closely before cleaning it up. For example, foamy vomit that is tinged yellow is a sign that your dog is hungry. It simply indicates your dog’s belly is empty. On the other hand, watery vomit indicates that your dog is thirsty but unable to hold down water, which make him vulnerable to dehydration. When you find partially digested blood that resembles coffee grounds, your dog is bleeding internally into his digestive tract.

What should you do after your dog vomits?

Vomiting in dogs is a serious condition and often requires immediate medical treatment. When your dog displays the symptoms listed below, consult your veterinarian immediately.

• Decreased urination – This is a sign of dehydration.
• Depression and lethargy – these signs simply show your dog is adversely affected
• Projectile vomiting – symptom of a blocked intestinal tract
• Frequent vomiting – Dogs that vomit frequently usually become weak. This is common for elderly dogs.
• Abdominal enlargement – These signs show that your dog is suffering from a serious medical condition and requires immediate attention.

How to deal with dog vomiting?

If your dog has thrown up maybe once or twice, you can consider the following home treatment.

Remove any trace of water and food for about eight hours. During this period, monitor your dog closely and offer a small quantity of water. If your dog does not vomit, gradually offer more water. You should repeat this process for about three days.   

Conclusion

When your dog starts to vomit, you need to consult a vet immediately to prevent the condition from worsening.

References: Petmd, Petmd, AKC