Dog vomiting – causes and treatment
Dogs can vomit because of many reasons. They tend to vomit because they’ve eaten food that’s not healthy for them or because they’ve eaten too much or too fast. Vomiting doesn’t always mean something serious, however, there are certain cases when it could lead to very serious health problems. If, for example, your dog has swallowed toxic substances, you need to immediately look for medical attention. Here are some of the things you need to know about dog vomiting such as causes, treatment and differences between dog vomiting and regurgitation.
Differences between regurgitation and vomiting
Regurgitation is caused by a mix of gastric juices (and undigested foods sometimes). During the process, the esophagus rises back up into the mouth. The regurgitation and vomiting are not the same. While vomiting is a more active process’, the regurgitation is more passive practice. Unlike the vomiting, which has abdominal component, the regurgitation does not involve abdominal heaving.
Dog vomiting is usually defined as a forceful ejection of the stomach and the upper intestinal contents. Dogs tend to vomit yellow bile or any dog food that’s been partially digested. Vomiting smells sour and can happen right after eating or afterwards. It is frequently proceeded by the signs of drooling, licking lips, nausea or swallowing excessively. It’s a common sight to see dogs eat grass right before or after they vomit. The main reason why the do that is because the grass has the properties to protect their ‘esophagus’, improve their digestion and fulfil their nutritional and fiber needs.
Causes of dog vomiting
The most common reason why dogs vomit is because they have certain problems with their stomach. Here are some of the many stomach issues that cause dog vomiting:
– bloating
– eating too much or too fast
– intolerance or food allergies
– intestinal parasites
– gastritis (upset stomach from eating spoiled food or garbage)
– gastroenteritis (inflammation of the intestinal tract and stomach)
– exercises after eating
Dog vomiting could also indicate some serious health issues. The most common problems that start with vomiting are cancer, brain tumor, kidney or liver diseases, and various infections (bacterial, fungal or viral). There are also different types of dog vomiting – chunky, granular, and liquid.
How to prevent your dog from vomiting?
Always consult with a pet if your pet begins vomiting. Vets can quickly detect what is the cause of the vomiting and how it can be cured. Here are a few things to keep in mind and how you can prevent your dog from vomiting:
– Don’t give table scraps or human food. The likes of chocolate, garlic, grapes, and raisins could attack the sensitive abdomen organs and cause series of vomiting among other issues.
– Avoid changing the dog’s diet suddenly and use a gradual approach instead. Dietary changes can cause intestinal issues with the dogs.
– Try using a muzzle, if necessary during walks, because dogs tend to eat anything they find, especially when they are outside.
– Avoid giving toys that can be chewed or swallowed in pieces because they can cause blockage or gastrointestinal irritation.
– Don’t give any dog bones such as femurs and knuckles, because they could break into sharp shards.
