Vomiting in Dogs | Causes, types & Treatment

Vomiting in dogs is often a major cause of concern for some dog parents, the mere sight of their dog vomiting is enough to cause panic and alarm. Vomiting in dogs occurs when dogs forcefully eject the contents of their upper intestine or stomach.

Vomiting can be a result of your dog eating too fast or eating more than it can handle. Dietary indiscretion, bad health etc, can be another reason why your dog is vomiting.

If your dog vomits once or twice a day, there’s no cause for alarm but chronic vomiting is something to really worry about.

Poisoning

Vomiting in dogs is a common symptom of poisoning. It usually presents itself with some other symptoms like breathing problems, irregular heartbeat,  pale gums, diarrhoea, seizures, over-drooling, and mouth swelling. Once you notice any of these, an instant visit to the veterinarian is highly recommended.

Overeating

From birth as puppies, dogs always tend to fit far too much food into their bellies than they can actually carry and that trait remains with them even as fully grown dogs. Dogs suffering from overeating vomit only food and once the stomach has been emptied, the vomiting stops. In cases like this, a visit to the veterinarian is still quite advisable.

Canine Parvovirus

Commonly known as parvo, (canine parvovirus) is a common health challenge that leads to vomiting in dogs. It is a highly contagious viral disease that causes acute gastrointestinal illness (GI) disease in puppies. For puppies that are already sick with some other illness, this condition is quite deadly.

Some symptoms of parvo include vomiting, diarrhoea, blood vomiting, diarrhoea with blood, loss of energy, loss of appetite, and abdominal bloating.

Parvo has no cure and vaccination against parvo is quite important.

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Allergies

Allergic reactions can also cause vomiting. Allergies often cause other symptoms like diarrhoea, itchy skin, chronic ear infections, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and runny eyes.

Bilious Vomiting syndrome

Vomiting in dogs can also be a sign of bilious vomiting syndrome. This condition is caused by excessive stomach acid and unlike canine parvovirus, it is not contagious.

COLOR OF DOGs VOMIT

Green and yellow vomit in dogs

Green or yellow vomit that is foamy usually contains bile – a substance that helps with the digestive process and is usually produced by the liver. Foamy vomiting in dogs can be a clear indication of stomach acid buildup. When dogs go without food for too long, they are likely going to vomit bile. Your dog may likely be suffering from bilious vomiting syndrome if it vomits bile in the morning.

Green vomit can also be a result of your dog eating green grass or other green plants.

Red-brown and black vomit in dogs

A light red vomit is a sign that your dog is vomiting blood (Hematemesis) and it is relatively common in dogs. hematemesis can affect a wide range of systems depending on the source. It could be a sign of traumatic injury, ingestion of poison or gastrointestinal diseases.

A dark red, black, and dark-brown shed of vomit can also be a pointer that your dog is vomiting blood but in this case, the blood has been digested (even partially). This kind of vomit is usually associated with intestinal blockage, stomach ulcers or some other serious health challenge that needs immediate attention.

Regurgitation vs Vomiting

Regurgitation is less common and quite different from vomiting. Although regurgitation is not a cause for alarm, frequent regurgitation is something you should worry about as a pet parent.

According to Dr Osborne, ‘regurgitation is the spontaneous reflux of food before it reaches the stomach’. Dr Osborne went further to hin that  “Regurgitation normally occurs because of an esophageal problem—the tube from the mouth to the stomach,”

The most common cause of regurgitation in younger dogs is congenital esophageal problems, like megaesophagus, and is caused by abnormal nerve function in the esophagus.

Other causes of regurgitation include hypothyroidism, myasthenia gravis (a neuromuscular disease), a tumour that might be obstructing the esophagus, hiatal hernias and narrowing of the esophagus.

Treatment & Conclusion

Vomiting can either e a minor or major issue but you can only know this only when you visit the vet for the right diagnosis and treatment.

Treatments recommended by the vet are usually based on the diagnosis and treatment could be a simple change of diet. Medications such as antibiotics, antiemetics or fluid therapy can also be administered. In severe cases, the dog may need surgery.

Always remember to keep in touch with your vet to ensure your dog is healthy at all times and avoid unprescribed medications on your dog.

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