{"id":136,"date":"2019-07-07T09:00:08","date_gmt":"2019-07-07T09:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/petdedicated.com\/?p=136"},"modified":"2019-07-07T09:00:08","modified_gmt":"2019-07-07T09:00:08","slug":"dog-vomiting-what-to-know-and-what-to-do-when-your-dog-throws-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petdedicated.com\/?p=136","title":{"rendered":"Dog Vomiting: What to Know and What to Do When Your Dog Throws Up"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

The post Dog Vomiting: What to Know and What to Do When Your Dog Throws Up<\/a> by Jennifer Lesser<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n

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There are very few dog owners who haven\u2019t had to scrub dog vomit from the carpet at least once. But, from devouring a chunk of their favorite chew toy to serious gastrointestinal conditions, vomiting is a symptom with a long list of potential causes \u2014 so how do pet owners know when throwing up is no big deal and when it could be something serious?<\/p>\n

\u201cIf your dog vomits once, but is otherwise behaving normally, there\u2019s probably nothing to worry about,\u201d explains Dr. David Dilmore, a veterinarian with Banfield Pet Hospital. What can be cause for concern, however, is when your dog\u2019s vomiting is prolonged or accompanied by other symptoms. \u201cIt\u2019s important to monitor your pet for behavior changes, repeat vomiting, or other signs of illness,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

Causes of vomiting in dogs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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What are the signs that your dog is about to vomit? Photography by Kickers \/ iStock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

According to Dr. Stephen Katz, veterinarian and founder of the Bronx Veterinary Center in New York, one of the first things a veterinarian might consider when determining the cause of vomiting is the age of your pet. \u201cIf the dog is younger than five years old, then chances are they ate something that made them sick \u2026 but as dogs age, they can develop more serious conditions involving their organs, such as the liver, pancreas or intestines, that can also cause a symptom like vomiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dilmore adds that it\u2019s important for pet owners to remember that vomiting itself may not be a disease, but it can be a sign of another condition your dog may be experiencing. \u201cA single episode of vomiting can be related to various things, including but not limited to eating too much, eating too fast<\/a>, eating something unfamiliar or getting into garbage,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

However, pet owners should seek immediate veterinary care<\/a> if their dog is vomiting repeatedly or vomiting while experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, pain or general discomfort, or disorientation. \u201cThese symptoms can be a sign of infection, pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease, an intestinal foreign body, and various diseases specific to the intestines themselves, including inflammatory disease, parasitism, and even cancer,\u201d Dilmore warns.<\/p>\n

While vomiting can sometimes be cause for concern, according to Dr. Gary Richter, veterinarian and author of The Ultimate Pet Health Guide<\/em>, it\u2019s most commonly caused by a dog accidentally swallowing something that isn\u2019t food, like a sock, or getting into the garbage to sample last night\u2019s leftovers. \u201cThere are a million reasons dogs start vomiting, but it\u2019s most commonly because they ate something they shouldn\u2019t have,\u201d he explains. \u201cHowever, it can also be caused by a host of other conditions ranging anywhere from infection to some sort of organ disease to cancer \u2014 it really runs the gamut.\u201d<\/p>\n

Preventing vomiting in your dog<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Because vomiting can have so many different causes, in some cases, it can even be prevented. According to Dilmore, there are a few ways you can help prevent your dog from throwing up, include watching them while they eat to ensure they don\u2019t gobble up their food too quickly. Pet owners should also avoid giving dogs \u201chuman\u201d food that could upset their stomach \u2014 especially without consulting your veterinarian.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll also want to make sure to take fresh, cool water and a bowl with you on walks, hikes and to the dog park. Streams, lakes, and shared bowls can contain diseases like Giardia and Leptospirosis that can harm your pet,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

Diagnosis and treatment<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The treatment for vomiting in dogs will vary widely depending on the underlying cause. Dr. Richter notes that sometimes it will be a matter of letting your dog\u2019s stomach rest by offering bland food like chicken and rice, or even withholding food for a day (only do this after consulting with your veterinarian) and offering plenty of water instead. Some medications can also be appropriate, depending on the cause of vomiting. Katz notes that antibiotics may also be given when it\u2019s related to a bacterial problem, and depending on the severity of the vomiting (and how long it has been going on), your dog could require treatment for dehydration.<\/p>\n

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A dog at a vet check with his human. Photography \u00a9shironosov | Getty Images.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cYour veterinarian may also choose to run a blood test to check your pet\u2019s organ function, because issues like hypertension or renal failure can be the extreme cases of what could be causing your dog to vomit,\u201d he adds. Another serious reason your dog could be vomiting is if they consumed something that\u2019s now blocking their intestines, causing them not to be able hold down food or water. \u201cA dog ingesting a foreign body can happen at any age, and that\u2019s something that could require surgery,\u201d Katz says.<\/p>\n

Either way, consult your pet\u2019s veterinarian to determine the best course of treatment when your dog has been vomiting, particularly if you\u2019re considering OTC medications or at-home treatments. \u201cEach case is different, so be sure to reach out to your veterinarian to decide if your dog needs a certain type of medication,\u201d Dilmore concludes. \u201cSome over-the-counter human medications can be harmful to pets if not used appropriately and under the guidance of a veterinarian.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thumbnail:\u00a0Photography \u00a9WilleeCole | Thinkstock.<\/em><\/p>\n

About the author<\/a>:<\/h3>\n

Jennifer Lesser is a New Jersey-based freelance writer. A marathoner, triathlete, and Taekwondo black belt, she specializes in health and wellness \u2014 for people and canines \u2014 and has written for magazines and websites including\u00a0Whole Dog Journal,\u00a0Health,\u00a0The Spruce Pets,\u00a0Weight Watchers\u00a0and\u00a0Animal Sheltering. She is the proud pet parent of a rescued Cocker Spaniel\/Shih Tzu mix named Miles, who has become her favorite running partner. Visit her online at\u00a0jenniferlesser.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more about dog vomiting on Dogster.com:<\/h3>\n