Understanding Canine Cold-Related Vomiting: Causes and

Dogs vomiting is not a specific disease in itself, but rather a symptom that can accompany a variety of illnesses in canines. Dry heaving, vomiting, and regurgitation in dogs often result from a disturbance in the stomach's normal functions, specifically a reversal of stomach Qi. This can be caused by external factors like cold, heat, dampness, and pathogenic influences, or by overeating and the subsequent stagnation of food in the stomach that fails to be properly digested. Additionally, a weakened spleen Yang that cannot warm and disperse cold can also disrupt the stomach's Qi flow, leading to vomiting.

In traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCM), vomiting is categorized into several types:

1. Vomiting due to stomach heat: Dogs may exhibit symptoms such as fever, general weakness, loss of appetite, repeated vomiting, and vomit that is white foam or yellowish liquid, sometimes even with blood. Abdominal pain often accompanies these symptoms.

2. Vomiting due to deficiency and cold: Dogs may become emaciated, have a fear of cold, and exhibit cool ears and nose. They may vomit after eating, and the vomit has a faint odor.

3. Vomiting caused by overeating: Dogs may show a lack of appetite, bloating, and acidic, smelly vomit. Improvement may be noted after vomiting, and their mouth may appear slightly red.

The principles of TCM treatment for vomiting include cooling the stomach and nourishing Yin for those with stomach heat, warming the middle and strengthening the spleen for those with deficiency and cold, and promoting digestion and resolving stagnation for those with overeating.

For dogs suffering from deficiency and coldinduced vomiting, a combination of Chinese and Western medicine can be effective:

1. Antiemetic treatment: Administer 1020mg of Metoclopramide and 50100mg of Vitamin B6 intramuscularly, twice to thrice daily based on the severity of vomiting.

2. Antibacterial therapy: Give 0.1g of Ampicillin per kilogram of body weight or 10,000 international units of Gentamicin, along with 25mg of Dexamethasone, intramuscularly once daily.

3. Herbal treatment: Utilize herbs to warm the middle, disperse cold, and harmonize the stomach and reverse Qi. The formula includes 6g of Magnolia bark, 5g of Amomum villosum, 5g of dried ginger, 6g of cinnamon, 3g of costus, 4g of tangerine peel, 5g of white atractylodes, 5g of poria, and 6g of licorice. The decoction is to be administered after cooling. Treatment is given once daily for 23 days. This comprehensive approach is suitable for dogs experiencing intermittent vomiting of yellow fluid (or food) due to external cold stimulation, which is diagnosed as stomach cold in TCM.

4. Acupuncture therapy: This involves eliminating the cause and using white needle therapy, moxibustion, or acupoint massage. The main points are bilateral Neiguan (PC6), Waiguan (PC5), and Houchuan (ST36), with additional points such as Zhongwan (CV12) and Pishu (BL20). Moxibustion is applied to Zhongwan and Tianshu (ST25). Acupoint massage includes pressing the middle spinous process between the eleventh and twelfth thoracic vertebrae and massaging the Pishu point; and pushing the Zhongwan point. Treatment is administered twice daily for 23 days.

Furthermore, if the pH of the vomit is below 7, it is acidic, and below 4, it is strongly acidic. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can be administered internally. If the pH is above 7, it is alkaline, and above 11, it is strongly alkaline, then vinegar can be taken internally. These treatments should be combined with other therapies.

In addition to these, it's always helpful for dog owners to have active probiotics and Pepsid on hand. These are specialized medications for regulating a dog's gastrointestinal health and for treating nausea. They can be used promptly when a dog exhibits gastrointestinal discomfort or vomiting.

In summary, while traditional Chinese medicine can be a bit cumbersome, it offers a wealth of knowledge for treating canine vomiting. For those who care for dogs, having these resources at home can make a significant difference in managing their pet's health effectively.