Dog Vomiting – Treatment and Prevention of Vomiting in Dogs

At some point, chances are your dog will vomit. Occasional vomiting in dogs is normal and generally serves as nature’s way of ridding the body of unwanted food or foreign objects that the dog may have ingested. While occasional vomiting may not indicate a serious illness, any instance of repeated vomiting, especially if accompanied by lethargy, diarrhea, or other behavioral changes, should receive prompt medical attention.

Just as diarrhea results from irritation in the lining of the small and large intestine, vomiting is caused by irritation in the stomach. Unlike regurgitation, which involves spitting up undigested food shortly after a meal, vomiting occurs when stomach contractions forcefully expel stomach contents. Vomiting can be categorized into two major types: acute vomiting, which has a sudden onset and is usually a one-time occurrence, and chronic vomiting, which happens regularly. In some cases, acute, repeated vomiting can signify a life-threatening emergency, while dogs that vomit one or more times a week may have a chronic condition, often caused by an inflammatory or irritated intestinal system.

Acute Vomiting

An occasional bout of vomiting is not necessarily a sign of a major medical problem in dogs. A sudden change in the type of food, giving an unfamiliar treat, or feeding table scraps can lead to vomiting or diarrhea. An upset stomach caused by food changes can often be resolved at home, provided the vomiting (and often diarrhea as well) is not severe and the dog continues to act normally. Withholding food for 24 hours allows the dog’s digestive system to settle down (while continuing to encourage water consumption). After 24 hours, small amounts of a bland diet, such as white rice and chicken, can be offered. If the upset subsides, you can gradually return the dog to its original diet.

Eating too fast, especially dry food, can also result in vomiting or regurgitation shortly after a meal. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals may help alleviate this problem. Small dogs and puppies on a primarily dry food diet that vomit shortly after eating may simply be consuming too much at once. When ingested, dry food absorbs moisture in the dog’s stomach, expanding in size and causing the dog to regurgitate. Soaking dry food before feeding it to your dog or mixing dry food with canned food may help solve this issue.

Parasites can also contribute to vomiting in dogs, especially puppies. Roundworms can be ingested from the soil, and puppies may acquire the worms from their mothers. As the eggs hatch in the intestine, the larvae are carried to the lungs via the bloodstream. From the lungs, the worms crawl up the windpipe, causing gagging and coughing before returning to the intestine to grow into adults. Roundworms can grow up to seven inches long and appear spaghetti-like, long, and thin. A pot-bellied appearance, poor growth, and a rough, dull coat are signs of a worm infestation. Although diarrhea is the most common symptom, severe cases may cause puppies to vomit large quantities of live worms. If left unchecked, the worms can lead to pneumonia, intestinal obstructions, and death.

While not a worm, Giardia is an intestinal parasite caused by a single-celled organism that lives in the intestines of infected animals. Recent research has shown that Giardia is present in up to 11% of the general pet population and in as many as 50% of puppies. Giardia can be transmitted from pet to pet, through contaminated food or water, and through soil. Pets that attend dog parks, doggy daycare, or are kenneled are at higher risk for infection. The most common symptoms of Giardia are diarrhea of varying severity and vomiting. However, many infected animals may show no symptoms for extended periods, making routine testing even more important.

Coccidia is another single-celled organism that infects the small intestine of dogs. Dogs with coccidia may show no signs of illness, while some may experience severe bouts of watery stools, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, depression, fever, and even death from severe dehydration. These severe side effects are most common in puppies and adult dogs suffering from other illnesses.

Sudden, Repeated Vomiting—A Medical Emergency

Unfortunately, dogs are notorious for getting into things they shouldn’t, often led by their noses and stomachs. Dietary indiscretion—eating things from the garbage, the yard, or certain plants—can cause vomiting. In most cases, withholding food and allowing the dog to expel the unwanted substances naturally will suffice. However, consuming something that may cause an obstruction in the gut is a threat, and any dog that has eaten a large amount of something, even if seemingly harmless, should be monitored for abdominal pain, lethargy, or increasing episodes of vomiting.

As many dog owners will attest, dogs will eat just about anything. Unfortunately, this can mean ingesting various items that should never enter the body, such as tennis balls, coins, socks, rocks, and toys. Once swallowed, an item may prove too large to pass through the increasingly smaller intestinal tract and become stuck. This intestinal blockage quickly becomes an emergency situation. A partial blockage may produce vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping of the abdominal muscles. A complete blockage can cause severe abdominal pain, bloating, and repeated, frantic projectile vomiting. Depending on the location of the blockage, fecal-like material may be vomited, while in other situations, the vomit may consist only of bile.

If the obstruction is allowed to persist, the gut surrounding the blockage will begin to lose blood supply and start to die. This process can occur in as little as an hour in cases of complete obstruction. As the intestines begin to rot, the gut may leak or even rupture, leading to a severe systemic infection.

Abdominal X-rays are the best way to diagnose an obstruction, and immediate surgical intervention is usually the only form of treatment. The blockage will be located and removed, and if the surrounding bowel has been compromised, it must be cut out (resected) and the healthy ends of the gut sewn together to reconnect the intestinal tract.

Bloat, also known as gastric dilation-volvulus or torsion, is a serious, life-threatening condition affecting large-breed dogs. The most commonly affected breeds include those with a large, deep chest, such as the Akita, Great Dane, German Shepherd, and Doberman Pinscher, though all dogs are at risk for developing this condition.

Bloat is caused by various factors that, when combined, create a recipe for disaster. Dogs fed a large meal once daily, especially those that eat rapidly, are at the highest risk. As their stomach fills, gastric distention occurs. Increased activity shortly after a meal can cause the stomach to twist, closing off the esophagus and leaving the dog unable to expel gas or excess food by vomiting or belching. Signs of bloat include a distended abdomen, pain, salivation, and repeated, unproductive attempts to vomit.

As bloat continues unrelieved, many of the dog’s body systems may become involved. Blood flow to the spleen can be cut off, and the return of blood to the heart can decrease, causing cardiac arrhythmias. The lack of blood supply reaching the stomach will lead to the stomach lining beginning to die, releasing toxins into the bloodstream. The liver, pancreas, and other parts of the intestine can also become affected, resulting in low blood pressure, shock, and endotoxemia. The weakened stomach may even rupture, leading to a severe infection within the abdomen.

Bloat is a serious medical emergency, and if you suspect your dog is suffering from torsion, time is of the essence to save their life. At the hospital, medications to stabilize your dog, such as intravenous fluids, steroids, and antibiotics, will be administered, and the veterinarian may attempt to decompress the stomach by passing a tube directly into it. In some cases, this is successful, and a gastric lavage will be performed to empty the stomach’s contents and allow it to return to its normal position.

Unfortunately, this medical treatment may not be sufficient to relieve the torsion, and surgery may become the only way to save the dog. Because the dog’s body is often severely compromised at this point, the surgery may carry a high risk, but it could still be the dog’s only chance for survival. During surgery, the stomach twist will be corrected, and the dog’s intestinal tract will be thoroughly inspected for damage. If damaged tissue is found, it may be removed, and if infection is present, a lavage of the entire abdomen may be performed to eliminate bacteria.

The outcome of surgery depends on how quickly the bloat was discovered and corrected, as well as how much damage was done to the intestinal tract and other major organs. Recovery can often be difficult, with intestinal complications and infections being the most common causes of problems.

Prevention of bloat focuses on reducing the occurrence of extreme gastric dilation. Feeding two or three smaller meals throughout the day instead of one large meal, along with waiting two hours before allowing exercise after a meal, can help prevent bloat. Additionally, dogs that have had surgery for bloat may undergo a procedure called gastropexy to anchor the stomach to the wall of the abdomen, reducing the chances of a future occurrence of torsion.

Treating Dog Vomiting

The treatment of acute vomiting in dogs aims at diagnosing the underlying problem and correcting it. Your veterinarian will first take a full history of your dog’s condition, including when the vomiting started and any precipitating factors. After a comprehensive physical exam, your veterinarian may recommend:

Fecal Testing: A sample of stool will be obtained and checked for evidence of parasites such as roundworms and coccidia. Additionally, an antigen test may be run on the fecal sample to check for the presence of Giardia.

Blood Work: Blood chemistry tests will evaluate various body systems, providing your vet with information about the health of your dog’s major organs, such as the kidneys and liver. A complete blood count (CBC) evaluates the components of your dog’s blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, helping to diagnose or rule out infection as a potential cause of vomiting.

X-Rays: Radiographs of your dog’s abdomen may be recommended to rule out potential intestinal obstructions or foreign bodies that your dog may have ingested. If radiographs suggest a possible problem, surgery may be recommended, or follow-up X-rays may be taken at several intervals to ensure a foreign object is successfully moving through the intestinal tract.

Hospitalization: Depending on the results of the above tests and your dog’s physical condition, your veterinarian may recommend hospitalization to diagnose and treat the cause of vomiting. IV fluids may be administered to correct fluid imbalances and dehydration resulting from vomiting. Several medications are available to treat nausea and vomiting in dogs, which may be given to help your dog stop vomiting.

Chronic Vomiting

While acute cases of vomiting can be concerning, chronic vomiting—though less common—also warrants a visit to your veterinarian.

Vomiting that occurs in an otherwise healthy dog more than once a week is considered chronic. Chronic vomiting can lead to poor digestion and absorption of nutrients, often resulting in finicky eating habits, low energy levels, and a poor-quality coat.

Food allergies and intolerances are common causes of chronic vomiting. Similar to lactose intolerance in humans, dogs may develop allergies or sensitivities to various ingredients in their food, leading to chronic inflammation in the stomach and intestinal tract.

Pancreatitis can manifest in dogs in both acute and chronic forms. The pancreatic gland secretes hormones like insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar levels, as well as producing digestive enzymes that break down food. Inflammation of the pancreas, or pancreatitis, can lead to decreased digestive enzymes, and in severe cases, these enzymes may begin to digest the dog’s organs instead of the food. Symptoms of pancreatitis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and poor appetite, but these symptoms are shared with many other gastrointestinal issues, making diagnosis challenging.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can also cause chronic vomiting in dogs. In affected dogs, inflammatory cells take over the intestine, eventually leading to scar tissue throughout the digestive system lining. Although the exact cause of IBD is unknown, nutrition, genetics, and the immune system are thought to contribute to its development. Dogs with a long history of chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss that have been found to be free of parasites and other obvious causes should be evaluated for IBD. Diagnosing IBD can be difficult and often requires an intestinal biopsy to confirm. Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation and making dietary changes to provide a more easily digestible food source.

Because vomiting can indicate anything from simple overeating to a major life-threatening emergency, it is crucial for you to be aware and well-informed about the potential dangers to your dog. By carefully monitoring your dog, you may be able to spot a potential problem before it escalates into an emergency, saving you and your dog from a heartbreaking situation.