Understanding Why Dogs Vomit: Common Causes Explained
Dogs often exhibit acidic vomiting, which can consist of a mixture of substances such as food, gastric juices, bile, intestinal fluids, blood, and mucus. The presence of blood in the vomit often indicates conditions like hemorrhagic gastroenteritis or canine distemper. Sudden fever, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite in dogs are commonly associated with acute poisoning, acute gastritis, or canine parvovirus infection. Vomit containing partially digested food may suggest a gastric ulcer, while undigested food points to esophageal disorders. Yellowgreen vomit mixed with bile, especially when frequent and severe, is often a sign of duodenal obstruction. Vomit with fecallike matter is more common in cases of small intestine or large intestine obstruction. The presence of parasites in the vomit can indicate gastrointestinal parasitism, while foreign bodies like hairballs, stones, plastics, or fabric can signify stomach or intestinal obstructions.
After eating, a single episode of vomiting a large amount of normal stomach contents without recurrence shortly after is often due to overeating. Vomiting or dry heaving, along with belching, typically occurs 3 to 5 hours after eating and is often a sign of acute gastric dilatation. Digestive ulcers, gastric dilatation, and chronic pyloric or duodenal obstruction usually result in vomiting after a longer period of eating or multiple meals. Acute vomiting caused by allergic intoxication or food intolerance often lasts a short time and is directly related to the time of eating, whereas intermittent chronic vomiting is not related to eating times and often comes with symptoms like drowsiness, loss of appetite, drooling, and abdominal discomfort.
In summary, the treatment of canine vomiting should primarily focus on removing the cause, with supportive therapies to address symptoms, for the best outcomes.
Nonviral infections commonly leading to vomiting are often treated with antibiotics such as ampicillin sodium, penicillin sodium, and ofloxacin, along with antiemetics like metoclopramide. Depending on the situation, fluid and electrolyte supplementation, such as potassium and calcium ions, may be necessary, and in severe cases, central nervous system antiemetics like chlorpromazine can be used.
For viral infections, antiviral medications are the cornerstone of treatment, such as monoclonal antibodies for canine distemper or parvovirus, complemented by antibiotics, antiemetics, and antidiarrheals.
Parasitic infections require symptomatic treatment first, including antiemetics and antidiarrheals, nutritional support, and the use of deworming medications once the symptoms subside.
Conditions like heatstroke, motion sickness, or brain震荡 due to external impact are primarily treated by addressing the underlying cause. Poisoninginduced vomiting is treated with detoxification measures. Overeating can be managed by restricting food intake, while sudden changes in dog food can be resolved by reverting to the previous diet. Vomiting caused by ingesting foreign objects may require enemas or surgery to remove the object.
When using antiemetics, it's also beneficial to administer gastrointestinal mucosal protectants like cimetidine or ranitidine, which can effectively reduce the secretion of gastrointestinal juices, minimize gut damage, and provide some relief from vomiting symptoms.
If a dog remains free of vomiting for 24 hours after treatment, it can be offered small amounts of water or easily digestible foods like porridge or baby formula. If there's no vomiting for 36 hours, the dog can continue with a liquid diet, gradually reintroducing solid food over 5 to 7 days to return to normal feeding.
It's important to note that oral medications should not be administered to dogs with vomiting symptoms.
