All About Vomiting in Dogs
Why Does My Dog Vomit?
What causes vomiting?
Vomiting is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of many different
diseases. Many cases of vomiting are self-limiting after a few days. Less
commonly, vomiting may result from a serious illness, such as cancer. Even
when vomiting is caused by mild illnesses, it may lead to death of the animal
if treatment is not begun early enough to prevent severe fluid and nutrient
losses.
How serious is vomiting in dogs?
We attempt to determine how sick the dog has become as a consequence of the
vomiting. When the dog is systemically ill (i.e., more than one body system is
involved), some of the following may be noted:
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- High fever
- Lethargy
- Bloody vomiting
What types of tests are performed to find the cause?
If vomiting is associated with several of the above signs, we perform a
series of tests in the hope that a diagnosis may be made. When this can be
done, more specific treatment may be initiated. Diagnostic tests may include
radiography (x-rays) with or without barium, blood tests, biopsies of the
stomach and intestinal tract, and exploratory abdominal surgery. Once the
diagnosis is known, treatment may include special medications, diets, and/or
surgery.
If your dog does not appear systemically ill from the vomiting, the cause
may be less serious. Some of the minor causes of vomiting include stomach or
intestinal viruses, stomach or intestinal parasites, and dietary indiscretions
(such as eating garbage or other offensive or irritating materials).
A minimum number of tests are performed to rule out certain parasites and
infections. These cases may be treated with drugs to control the motility of
the intestinal tract, drugs that relieve inflammation in the intestinal tract,
and, often, a special diet for a few days.
This approach allows the body's healing mechanisms to correct the problem.
We expect improvement within 2-4 days; if this does not occur, we will make a
change in medication or perform further tests to better understand the
problem. Please keep us informed of lack of expected improvement so that we
may manage the situation properly.
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