Dog
Health
Vomit Problems
When it comes
to dog health, vomit is one major physical symptom that
affects all animals at one point or another. It is usually
the symptom
of an underlying illness. 
Occasional dog
vomit is not uncommon, as it is a natural way of discarding upsetting
foods or foreign objects. There are many possible causes of
dog vomiting, so it is important to collect all of the symptoms and
facts in order to get to the underlying cause.
Dog vomiting is a complex topic and the causes are extremely
widespread. It is best to learn exactly what dog vomiting is
and how to tell an extreme case from a minor upset stomach.
Dog vomiting vs.
regurgitation
Gastritis - facts and
symptoms
When to seek veterinary
assistance
Common underlying illnesses
that can cause dog vomiting
At-home treatments for
minor dog vomiting
Dog vomiting vs. Regurgitation
Have you ever witnessed
your dog regurgitating a snack or a meal? This is NOT the
same as vomiting. These are often confused, so look out for
the differentiators.
With regurgitation there is very little effort involved. The
food expelled comes from the food pipe (esophagus) rather than the
stomach meaning it will not be fully digested. 
Dog vomiting, on the other hand, is the forcible expulsion of stomach
and/or intestinal contents through the mouth. The key
discriminating factor between vomiting and regurgitation is the term
“forcible expulsion”, meaning it takes quite an effort by the dog to
expel the material.
There is often heaving and loud coughing or hacking involved when your
dog vomits. It is also common for a dog to try and re-consume
the expelled material, and it is best to try and stop that from
happening if possible! After all, there is a reason their
bodies did not want it!
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problems)
Gastritis
- Facts & Symptoms
Dog health vomit problems
are a very common occurrence and are most often caused by irritation of
the stomach, also called gastritis.
Gastritis is very similar to an upset stomach for us. We may eat
something that does not sit well and next thing you know, it is coming
up. Or, we may eat too much of a good thing (fresh baked
cookies are the first thing that comes to mind) and regret it an hour
later.
 Dog gastritis is
usually caused by the ingestion of some type of
irritating substance. Common irritants consumed by dogs are
grass, decomposed or rotten food, paper and bones.
Your dog will most likely vomit the irritant up first, followed by a
clear or yellow fluid from the stomach. If dog vomiting
episodes continue, it is wise to consult your veterinarian.
Dogs with gastritis will often seek grass to eat while they are
experiencing stomach irritation. This is their instincts
talking, as some herbs ease vomiting. Unfortunately, your
grass will probably only cause further irritation and more vomiting, so
don’t allow it!
Overall, gastritis is usually harmless and can be treated at
home. But there are certain instances when you should seek
veterinary advice…
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When to Seek Veterinary Assistance for Dog
Health Vomit Problems
Diagnosing the underlying
cause of dog vomiting may be difficult, but knowing when it is time to
get the dog checked out is not!
As discussed above, gastritis is a common upset stomach caused by the
digestion of foreign irritating bodies. It is normal for a
dog to vomit once or twice to expel an irritant, but beyond that it
becomes excessive and dangerous.
Follow this checklist.  If your dog has done any of
the following, take
them in for a checkup.
- A fever
- Vomiting a few times in one day
- Vomit is ejected extremely forcefully and
seemingly painfully
- If there is any blood or coffee grind colored
material in the vomit
- Serious abdominal pain, causing a change in the
dog’s behavior
- A depressed attitude or weak physical movements
- Lost interest in regular activities
It is important to act
quickly if your dog is experiencing chronic vomiting.
Dehydration can occur rapidly when a dog is not keeping anything down,
and this can lead to bigger problems.
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Common
Underlying Illnesses that Can Cause Dog Health Vomit Problems
Unfortunately, vomiting
is one of those dog issues that must be diagnosed and treated on a case
by case basis. There are numerous causes of dog vomiting and
only your veterinarian can provide an exact diagnosis for your dog.
To help begin your research, there are specific illnesses that are
commonly linked to dog vomiting, including:
Less serious causes of
vomiting can include over eating and eating too fast. If you
have noticed that your dog gets sick almost immediately after eating,
this could be the cause.
Try and slow them down by raising the food bowl off the ground with
some phone books. If your dog over eats…simply don’t feed
them as much food per sitting.
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At-Home Treatments for Minor Dog Vomiting
If your dog is
experiencing minor dog vomiting, it is probably safe to try an at home
treatment first.
Fasting
Fast your dog to try and heal the upset stomach. This is what
a dog would do if they were living in the wild.
Basically, it means giving your dog no food or water for 24 hours and
then slowly transitioning them back to their normal regimen.
You can feed your dogs a couple of ice cubes during this time if you
must.
Click
here for additional details on how to correctly fast your dog.
Natural
Supplements
Natural supplements are available for purchased at many local
and
online pet stores.  These following can
help to soothe your
dog’s stomach:
- Digestive enzymes
- Probiotics
- Vitamin B complex
Herbs
These herbal teas can be added to your dog’s food and may help to
settle their stomach:
- Chamomile
- Fennel
- Ginger
- Peppermint
There are also
homeopathic
remedies and acupuncture
treatments that have been found
very helpful for many dogs with re-occurring stomach/vomiting
issues. It is best to locate
a homeopathic veterinarian or
acupuncturist near you who can provide you with all the
essential
information about these treatment options.
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Back to Illnesses
& Remedies from Dog Health Vomit Problems
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