Why Dogs Vomit Undigested Food

 

Vomiting Causes

Vomiting is not the same as regurgitation, which is the passive expulsion of undigested food or fluid from the esophagus that is not accompanied by abdominal effort. Vomiting is common in domestic dogs and usually is a sign of some other underlying problem.

Many things can cause a dog to vomit. Dogs often vomit after eating rancid food, foreign bodies, trash, poisonous plants or other toxic or unpleasant things.

Chronic vomiting, especially if accompanied by profuse or bloody diarrhea, is a serious medical condition that may be attributable to food or environmental allergies, gastrointestinal disease, dietary imbalances, infections, adverse drug reactions, kidney or liver disease, ingestion of toxins or neurological abnormalities. Vomiting can also be triggered by stress, excitement or exposure to loud noises, such as thunderstorms or fireworks.

Vomiting of undigested or partially digested food more than 12 hours after it was eaten reflects an abnormal delay in the proper emptying of stomach contents into the intestinal tract. Frequent vomiting can cause dehydration/volume depletion, electrolyte disturbances, nutritional deficiencies, poor body condition, weight loss, inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) and/or aspiration pneumonia.

Chronic vomiting, regardless of the cause, can lead to severe dietary deficiencies if the problem is not addressed. Dehydration can be life-threatening, and electrolytic imbalances can cause muscle weakness, tremors and neurological problems.
While an occasional bout of vomiting can be normal, frequent episodes should be assessed by a veterinarian. Vomiting that is accompanied by severe, bloody or mucoid diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, depression, pain, fever or confusion warrants an immediate trip to the veterinary clinic. If a dog can’t hold down even small amounts of food or water, something is seriously wrong. The dog could be suffering from poisoning, an intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, bloat/gastric dilatation and volvulus, or an infection with parvovirus. All of these conditions are life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

Vomiting Prevention

There is no magical way to prevent a dog from vomiting. Prevention requires identification and removal of the underlying cause of the condition. Because there are so many diverse causes of vomiting, there is no one protocol to recommend. In general, dogs should not be exposed to potentially toxic substances. They also should have regular veterinary examinations to ensure their good health. High-quality nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, with moderate exercise, lots of fresh air, warm and comfortable housing and plenty of human companionship, are also important to maintaining the good health of our beloved canine companions.
Other

Comments

Treating recurrent vomiting in dogs requires identifying and removing the initiating cause and then providing the appropriate fluids, electrolytes and medications to soothe the stomach. Owners should not panic over an occasional episode of vomiting, but they probably should take their dog to the veterinarian if it is vomiting repeatedly.

Dogs With Upset Stomachs

When a dog is suffering with an upset stomach it can be a miserable time for both the dog and its owner.

When dogs have upset stomachs accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, it’s unpleasant for the dog’s owner, but worse for the dog. Vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain are unsettling to a pet and the sooner these problems are resolved, the better off the dog will be. A direct result of persistent vomiting or diarrhea is dehydration, so it’s very important to be sure your dog stays well hydrated when sick.

Some of the options for treating an upset stomach include home remedies, over-the-counter medications and prescription medications. The specific remedy needed to help a dog depends on the severity of the stomach upset and which symptoms it is experiencing.

Step one in treating a dog with an upset stomach is to identify the cause for the onset of the stomach problems. Upset stomach problems in dogs most commonly occur as the result of bacterial or viral infections or ingestion of foreign matter.

It’s not always possible to isolate the exact cause of upset stomach problems in dogs because it’s too easy for a dog to swallow something without your knowledge, resulting in the upset. However, if you can find out what caused the upset stomach, you’ll have a better chance of choosing the right remedy for effective treatment.

If you’re like most dog owners, you may want to try a home remedy before buying an over-the-counter medication. Most over-the-counter medications are safe for dogs, but you may want to call your veterinarian before giving your pet an antidiarrheal medication like Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate. Both of these products can be safely given to dogs to alleviate diarrhea symptoms.

Mild diarrhea and vomiting are signs of gastrointestinal upset, and in order to alleviate the symptoms of the upset, the dog’s digestive system needs a chance to relax and recuperate. If the upset is due to a bacterial infection a continuous supply of fresh water will give the dog’s body a chance to eliminate the harmful bacteria.

When your dog is ready to eat again you should serve it only stomach-friendly foods so you don’t further irritate its digestive system. Some of the healthy things to feed your dog at this time are chicken, ground beef, rice, eggs, and bread (lightly toasted is fine if your dog prefers it that way).
Cottage cheese is also an excellent choice because it contains a high content of good bacteria which helps clear the dog’s system of harmful bacteria.

If your dog’s upset stomach problems persist you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian so more appropriate treatment can be started.

Some of the prescription dog remedies that are available include:
* Metoclopramide – for the treatment of nausea and vomiting;
* Cimetidine – for control of gastrointestinal inflammation;
* Metronidazole – an antimicrobial antibiotic for treating diarrhea caused by bacterial infection;
* Sucralfate – an antiulcer medication that helps neutralize stomach acid;
* Centrine Tabs – used to treat gastrointestinal inflammation when accompanied by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

 

Why Dogs Vomit Blood

When a dog vomits blood it is suffering from a condition known as hematemesis. Hematemesis could be a temporary condition or a sign of chronic gastrointestinal illness.

The most common reasons why dogs vomit blood are: (1) a small amount of bright red blood indicating an injury in the mouth or throat, (2) a significant amount of dark, clotted blood indicating a serious gastrointestinal condition.

Some symptoms that may accompany a dog’s vomiting of blood include: rapid weight loss, bloating, excessive thirst (this can also be a symptom of diabetes in a dog), or darkened stools.

There are some acute illnesses a vet will need to test for and exclude before the possibility of a chronic condition can be diagnosed. These include poisoning of the animal, swallowing of a foreign object, parasites in the gastrointestinal tract, or bad reactions to prescribed medications.

There are some serious chronic gastrointestinal illnesses and diseases than can also cause a dog to vomit blood, including kidney disease, tumors, bowel obstructions, or liver disease.

When a dog vomits blood, it should be considered just as serious as if it were a human vomiting blood. A responsible pet owner will call their vet for an emergency visit should their dog begin vomiting blood.

Don’t take a chance that it’s nothing serious or that the problem will go away on its own. Your pet deserves better treatment than that.