Dog Vomiting Symptoms
There are many symptoms that may be associated with dog vomiting. It is a good idea to ensure that as a dog owner, you are well informed of these symptoms so that it can act as a first step to diagnosing what problems may be afflicting your dog. While the final diagnosis will have to be determined by a vet, some less serious problems can be nipped in the bud without the help of professional medical opinion.
Dog vomiting symptoms may vary from abdominal upsets and pain to dehydration and bloody vomit. Some of them are indicative of minor problems while others can suggest more serious issues which could threaten a dog’s life if left untreated. It is crucial to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge of various symptoms so that the first level of checks can be performed as the owner of the dog vomiting, before deciding whether to self medicate or call in on the vet.
Firstly there is a distinction between vomiting and regurgitation. When your dog regurgitates, it is usually a rather voluntary action whereby the canine expels undigested food through its mouth. For vomiting, it usually results from involuntary muscular contractions in the dog’s stomach which then forcefully expels the substances in it out through the mouth and nose.
There are many difference causes which lead to a dog vomiting, which naturally means many different symptoms can also occur which point to or may be the result of vomiting experienced by your dog. The condition is most often accompanied by diarrhea although it is not always the case. Some of the more common reasons for vomiting would be:
- inherent conditions such as pancreatitis
- liver failure (hepatic failure)
- gastrointestinal conditions resulting from or caused by allergies, intolerance, viruses, parasites
- inflammatory bowel disease
- poison
- ingestion of foreign objects
One of the most obvious signs of vomiting in dogs is retching. This is often the precursor to vomiting as the stomach’s contents are being forced out through the dog’s esophagus which the dog is trying to control and prevent. If you hear or see your dog retch several times, it is a sure sign that it is about to vomit as the intestines and stomach muscles act to eventually force their contents out. While it may be too late by then to stop the vomiting, it is a much more visible sign and symptom compared to other characteristics.
Nausea is another symptom that is always associated with vomiting. However, this can be very difficult to observe in dogs since it can often be a more physiological experience such as dizziness, discomfort in the stomach and a desire to vomit but not just yet. As a human, this can also be understood as when one feels nauseous, only you will experience it while others may be oblivious to it. For a dog, nausea can probably be observed via its inability to walk straight (dizziness), lethargy and less energy to move around, retching or depression. On the other hand, nausea can also point to other problems such as sore ears in dogs, thus it is important to ascertain the exact cause of the condition to facilitate correct treatment and medication.
Dehydration is also a tell tale sign of a dog vomiting or having just vomitted. This is only natural considering the vast amounts of bodily liquids that is forced out of the dog, thereby robbing its internal organs of moisture that is necessary for a healthy internal organ system. Another way to find out if the dog is suffering from dehydration is to check its gums. If the gums are dry or tacky in feel, then dehydration is a strong possibility.
As expelling food out of its body is a highly unenjoyable experience, your dog may feel worse for it. That can either lead to nervous anxiety as it feels ill, or depression which results in the same feelings. If this is something you observe out of the ordinary for your canine, it could be another symptom worth taking note of.
Abdominal pain is another symptom of vomiting that may arise in a dog. Again, this is hard to determine since the dog is unable to communicate the pain to you unless through specific means. Look out for depression or a noticeable drop in energy. Another method is to check if the dog’s abdomen is bloated. A bloated stomach may not only be a sign of vomiting, but of a more serious condition that could be life threatening. It may be due to blockages that could lead to internal organs shutting down and eventual death.
Another symptom to note is the frequency of vomiting. Acute and chronic vomiting are both of equal concern to dog owners, but knowing one from the other helps to drill down to the root cause of the condition. For example, chronic vomiting is often a sign of disease such as inflammatory bowel disease which the vet can then have a better chance of prescribing medical tests that can help to ascertain the cause.