Vomiting of blood and mucus in dogs

Why is my dog ​​vomiting blood?

Vomiting is a violent expulsion of the contents of the stomach and upper small intestine. It may contain food, liquid, or debris that the dog has swallowed.

This condition is preceded by other signs:

• nausea;
• excessive drooling;
• gagging;
• strong contractions of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm.

Short-term vomiting is not associated with any disturbances in the functioning of the body. This is a natural process for a predator to cleanse the stomach of swallowed bones, fur, and indigestible fragments.

If a puppy or adult dog vomits, then this disorder occurs:

• due to a disease of the digestive system;
• renal or liver failure;
• pancreatitis;
• nervous system disorders;
• taking irritants or poisons.

Bloody vomiting appears as a consequence of three basic reasons:

• disorders of the esophagus;
• irritation of the intestines or stomach, which leads to inflammation, internal bleeding - as a result, the dog vomits blood, trying to remove it from the stomach;
• ingestion of a foreign object - a foreign body can cause inflammation or injury to the mouth, esophagus, lungs, stomach and other organs.

Vomiting with white foam accompanies several ailments and conditions:

• eating toxins, poisons, foreign objects;
• “bilious vomiting syndrome”;
• intestinal obstruction;
• kennel cough;
• pancreatitis.

Did you know? For some people, vomiting is caused by feelings of panic and fear. This phenomenon is called emetophobia.

If an animal vomits with streaks or clots of mucus, then this is the most explainable condition. Mucus covers the intestinal walls with a thick layer. It protects them from damage by gastric juice and at the same time organizes the movement of food through the esophagus, acting as a lubricant. If the walls become inflamed, the body produces more mucus to seal the damage. That's why owners observe these impurities in their pet's vomit.

Depending on the underlying cause, vomiting will occur due to disturbances in different physiological systems.

Among them there are 2 main groups:

• organs responsible for digestion;
• organs that transport food to the stomach.

When treating GI problems, the veterinarian's goal is to first identify the part of the system where the problem is located, and then determine the specific cause and determine the appropriate treatment.

Note that vomiting is different from regurgitation. The latter is a passive movement of the stomach contents, which is not accompanied by muscle contraction. This condition is colloquially referred to as “dog burping.” Coughing or difficulty breathing are more likely symptoms of regurgitation than vomiting, since belching causes air to be expelled from the esophagus.

Find out why your dog vomits bile and what to do about it.

Gastrointestinal Trauma

The term “trauma” means a violation of the integrity of an organ.

This could be damage:

• esophagus;
• stomach;
• liver;
• pancreas;
• intestines;
• rectum.

Bones are the most common cause of injury. When the dog chews, they break into small pieces. Many of them will be crushed by gastric juices. Sometimes these sharp fragments injure the esophagus, stomach or intestines.

This can cause a range of illnesses, including peritonitis. It occurs when bacteria enter a wound. In most cases, peritonitis is life-threatening. It is also accompanied by prolonged vomiting with foam.

If a pet has swallowed a toy or other object, then a single attack is an attempt to get rid of what it has swallowed. The appearance of a small amount of blood is evidence that damage to the wall of the small intestine has occurred in the path of this object.

The same thing happens if a dog tries to get rid of a bone that is stuck in the throat or esophagus. Sometimes surgery may be necessary to resolve the problem.

Important! Therapeutic fasting after an attack of vomiting should last at least 6

–
8 ocloc'k. During this time, the stomach will recover a little. This is how long it takes for food to move through your pet’s esophagus.

Infections

Sometimes pathogenic microorganisms enter the digestive system. This happens under conditions of stress and decreased immunity. Diagnosis of a specific infectious disease depends on the detection and identification of the microorganism that caused it.

Some infectious diseases of dogs:

Other signs of a bacterial infection include:

• loss of appetite;
• fatigue;
• joint pain;
• bloody diarrhea;
• fever;
• bloody vomiting.

A veterinarian must diagnose a bacterial infection in order to prescribe appropriate treatment.

Did you know? About 10% of all visits to the veterinarian are due to gastrointestinal disorders.

Poisoning

Symptoms of poisoning include gastrointestinal and neurological problems, heart and respiratory problems.

In most cases they are accompanied by bloody vomiting. A pet can be poisoned by various substances, for example:

• over-the-counter medications (including Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen), as well as herbal and nutraceutical products;
• prescription drugs for humans, the most common of which are anti-inflammatory and pain relievers that cause stomach and intestinal ulcers or kidney failure; antidepressants can interfere with heart function;
• cakes, chips, alcohol, coffee and other food from your table;
• household chemicals;
• poisons for rodents.

Food intolerance

The terms food allergy and food intolerance are used to describe any adverse food reactions in dogs. Actually, "food allergy" would be a clearer explanation.

This means that in response to a certain substance entering the body, the immune system begins to destroy it, which causes:

• cough;
• sneezing;
• itching;
• tearfulness;
• skin rashes;
• skin inflammation.

Did you know? In the time of Leonardo da Vinci, it was believed that the stomach is involved in breathing, as it moves at the moment of inhalation. This is not entirely true, but this idea helped scientists discover the role of muscles and the diaphragm in breathing and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

If the food allergy is severe enough, it is accompanied by vomiting blood. Her additional symptoms are bloody stools and severe abdominal pain. Without an accurate determination of current allergens, it is impossible to correctly prescribe treatment.

Cancerous tumors

According to statistics, intestinal tumors are found in 10% of dogs. Most of them are malignant, but there are exceptions. The main ones among them are polyps that form in the rectum. Older dogs, especially males, are predisposed to such tumors.

Clinical signs of intestinal neoplasms include:

• weight loss;
• diarrhea;
• vomiting;
• anorexia;
• less often - melena (resinous feces);
• hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels).

Symptoms vary depending on the location of the tumor. If the neoplasms become very large in size, then vomiting will certainly be present.

Stomach ulcer

Vomiting is one of the symptoms of a stomach ulcer.

Digestive system diseases can be caused by:

• lack of enzymes;
• damage to the digestive tract, such as stomach ulcers or chronic inflammation;
• birth defects.

The ulcer is accompanied by vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
The disease occurs due to damage to the gastric mucosa by sharp objects, eating very hot food, or swallowing large pieces. Did you know? Sperm whale vomit is very expensive. They are used in the perfume industry.

Other reasons

Bloody inclusions can be observed if the dog vomits on an empty stomach. This phenomenon is known as “bilious vomiting syndrome.” If a dog has not eaten for several hours, bile accumulates in the digestive system. It irritates the intestinal mucosa and the small blood vessels that are located there. As a result, early in the morning or late in the evening, you observe yellow-green vomit, which sometimes contains bloody spots.

Bloody vomiting occurs as a result of eating inedible objects. Even socks, tennis balls and other things cause the problem. The thing is that a dog has much fewer taste buds than a human. And what seems inedible to people is quite attractive to our four-legged friends.

Chronic gastroenteritis, or long-term inflammation of the stomach, is another potential cause. Bleeding occurs as a result of periodic vomiting and inflammation of the mucous membrane.

Important! Very rapid swallowing of food or inflammation in the oral cavity (stomatitis) can cause inflammation in the esophagus.

Many gastrointestinal diseases are not associated with infectious organisms. Their reasons include:

• binge eating;
• consumption of low-quality or indigestible food (bones, wool), chemicals;
• blockage caused by swallowing foreign objects.

The presence of parasites also often causes digestive tract disorders in animals. They affect the intestinal walls when they attach to them and begin to feed. The vital activity of internal parasites causes poisoning of the body and can cause vomiting. Since the signs of worm infection are similar to those observed with other diseases, the diagnosis is made by a veterinarian by examining the animal’s urine, feces and blood.

Reatitis often causes dogs to vomit white foam. This is a condition of inflammation and swelling of the pancreas. If food cannot be properly crushed and removed from the body, then the animal cleanses the intestines of it through vomiting.

Varieties of vomit by color and consistency

Vomiting is a natural reflex reaction of the body to an irritant. It cannot be considered an independent disease, since it is only an alarming symptom that is worth paying attention to. Depending on the type of vomit, you can determine what problem your pet is facing. It is necessary to remember the appearance of the discharge and describe it to the veterinarian as accurately as possible.

Sick dog

Vomiting blood

If a dog vomits bright scarlet blood, then most likely this is due to mechanical damage to the mucous membrane of the mouth or gastrointestinal tract. It is necessary to check for abrasions and wounds in the oral cavity, as well as inflammation and tumor formations.

A dark shade of blood present in the vomit may indicate kidney failure in the animal or the presence of infection. In this case, you need to pay attention to a combination of several signs: the pet will refuse to eat, suffer from anemia and indigestion.

Dog vomits bile and blood

When your dog starts vomiting brown goo, it may indicate internal bleeding. Mixing with bile in the stomach, the blood takes on a dark hue. Among other reasons, it may turn out that the dog has liver problems.

The dog burps blood and foam

A dog that is belching blood and foam should be examined by a professional. The stomach is protected from acid by a small layer of mucus. When air gets into it, which often happens in puppies, but often happens in adults, foam forms.

Additional Information! If there is no blood in the vomit, this only means that the pet had an empty stomach. This phenomenon is most often one-time, but if it occurs on an ongoing basis, an examination by a doctor is required.

What else should you pay attention to?

It is imperative to take into account the nature of vomiting. Blood in vomit can have different appearances. It happens:

• fresh, bright red;
• overcooked (resembles coffee grounds);
• may look like clots.

Did you know? Food moves in the esophagus due to peristalsis. This property allows her to continue moving even when her body position has changed to any other.

The nature of the gag reflex

Vomiting is a normal reaction of the body. In this way, it is cleared of “excess” and those substances that cannot be processed. Therefore, one-time vomiting is a condition that should not bother the dog owner.

Older animals vomit more often. Their bodies produce more mucus. Dogs regurgitate it, sometimes choke, which causes vomiting. This condition also does not require human intervention.

In case of infectious diseases or helminthic infestation, vomiting will be repeated frequently. If you observe these and other symptoms of ill health, your dog should be taken to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Smell and color of vomit

Vomit may have a specific color and smell.

Analyze the symptoms in more detail:

1. The least worrisome explanation for vomiting blood would be a cut in the mouth. This happens when chewing on an object such as a bone or when playing with another dog.
2. A more dangerous situation will be when the dog has injured the esophagus with bones and it is necessary not only to stop the bleeding, but also to remove the bone fragment.
3. Blood that is fresh, bright red, and has a high mucus content is a problem that is associated with the upper gastrointestinal tract (mouth, esophagus, and stomach). Perhaps there is an inflammatory process occurring there or there is a wound, an ulcer that is bleeding.
4. Blood with bile is the morning “bilious vomiting syndrome.”
5. With white foam - the result of the movement of undigested food through the esophagus to the stomach and back. The most likely cause is intestinal obstruction or infectious inflammation.
6. Dark red clots are digested blood. This means that the bleeding has already been going on for some time and that part of the blood that entered the stomach has had time to be partially digested. This type of vomit will also smell bad.

Did you know? Many people believe that the stomach is the main organ of the digestive system. But that's not true. The main processes of food breakdown occur in the dog's small intestine.

Clinical picture.

The main symptom of the disease is vomiting in the dog. Usually, vomiting is preceded by the dog's nausea, the dog often licks its muzzle, profuse salivation is observed, the dog refuses food and does not want to drink water, upon examination the dog is noted to be restless, and it begins to move chaotically. The dog periodically makes loud burps, and we note rumbling in the stomach. Before the appearance of vomiting in a dog, owners sometimes note a disorder in the gastrointestinal tract - diarrhea in dogs, constipation.

Periodic vomiting of undigested food in dogs occurs due to diseases of the digestive system, food poisoning, and overeating. The disease in dogs usually progresses indolently, with periodic periods of exacerbation. At the same time, most of the time the dog is active, cheerful and cheerful. Because of this, owners do not seek veterinary help at a veterinary clinic.

Vomiting blood in a dog indicates the presence of a serious illness. The vomit is colored with scarlet blood, the blood is liquid, we note individual inclusions of blood. This symptom occurs when the mucous membrane of the stomach or esophagus is damaged by a sharp object swallowed by a dog (a piece of bone, a nail, etc.). If a dog vomits blood and comes out in the form of brown clots, then this tells the dog owner about the presence of an ulcer in the stomach, liver disease, kidney failure, or neoplasm. When an infectious disease occurs, the dog's body temperature rises and the dog becomes lethargic. If there is blood in the vomit, the dog owner should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Vomiting of bile in a dog occurs in the presence of intestinal obstruction, a stomach ulcer and an infectious lesion of the liver, or the presence of worms in the dog. In the summer, the dog tends to eat green grass while walking, after which the dog begins to vomit.

Vomiting and unpleasant odor from the dog's mouth. With a number of serious illnesses, a dog may vomit. With these diseases, the dog develops bad breath. Such diseases include kidney failure, in which the mouth smells like ammonia or urine. Diabetes mellitus - smell of acetone or a sweet smell. In case of diseases of the gums, teeth, stomatitis, and intestines, a rotten smell emanates from the dog’s mouth.

In case of vomiting, diarrhea and elevated body temperature, the dog owner should know that these symptoms occur in dogs as a result of poisoning or indicate an acute infectious disease - leptospirosis in dogs, canine distemper, parvovirus enteritis. In this case, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic.

Vomiting in dogs when traveling in a car. This type of vomiting occurs as a result of stress suffered by the dog during a trip to the veterinary clinic, when moving to another area, to an exhibition, etc. Puppies especially often feel sick and vomit, which is the result of a disorder in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus.

How to help a dog at home

If your pet has just vomited, he needs first aid.

The owner must take the following steps:

1. Make sure your dog is not in shock. Its signs are pale gums, weakness, unsteady gait, depression. In this case, you should immediately visit a veterinarian.
2. If the above symptoms are absent, place your pet in a warm room. If he is shaking, cover him with a blanket.
3. Wipe the contaminated wool with a warm, damp cloth. Dried vomit cannot be washed off and hardens into shreds.
4. Watch for signs of your next episode of vomiting.
5. Make sure your dog has water in his bowl. Dehydration is dangerous for the body.

If the vomiting has stopped after 24 hours, the dog may be offered a small amount (eg a teaspoon) of easily digestible food. If there is no vomiting, you can start feeding in small portions 4-5 times a day. If the vomiting was caused by food poisoning, you can help the dog by offering it an enterosorbent.

Instead of regular water, you can give water with chamomile infusion. For this, 1 tbsp. l. dry raw materials are poured with 1 cup of boiling water and left for 10 minutes. Then cool and pour 1 tsp into a dog bowl. for every 15 kg of animal weight. This decoction has antispasmodic properties. It soothes the digestive tract and helps reduce nausea.

Important! The dog sometimes burps to release excess air that it swallowed while trying to eat its food very quickly.

If your pet has been vomiting for more than 4 hours, has a bloody episode, bloating, or other symptoms that concern you, call your veterinarian and arrange an examination. It will be better if you find out that nothing bad is happening than to miss the symptoms of a dangerous infectious disease.

If the attacks are prolonged and repeat 2-3 times a day, then this condition is accompanied by other symptoms. In this case, anything can be done only after a visit to the veterinarian. He will examine the pet, conduct tests and give prescriptions.

Treatment for prolonged vomiting will include:

1. Eliminating the cause that caused the dog to vomit blood.
2. Restoring the body's alkaline balance using intravenous liquid therapy.

It is not recommended to give your dog medications unless prescribed. Vomiting helps the body rid itself of toxins. If you give an antiemetic, they will remain inside the body and the animal’s condition will become worse. In cases where an infectious infection is suspected, it is necessary to isolate the dog from other pets and family members. Be sure to wear latex gloves when feeding or caring for a sick dog.

Symptoms of hematemesis in a dog

The main symptom of the disorder is the presence of fresh blood, clots or inclusions in the vomit. The primary symptom is usually accompanied by other disorders. Associated symptoms are:

Frequent vomiting for no apparent reason. The blood in your dog's vomit may be fresh and bright red, similar to an injury. Old, dark blood, often in clots, may also be present in the discharge.

• Sudden weight loss, refusal of usual food.
• Diarrhea is often an accompanying symptom.
• The appearance of bloody discharge in the stool.
• Cramps and pain in the abdomen.
• Lethargy, sickly appearance.
• Rapid difficulty breathing.
• Heart murmurs, increased heart rate.

How is the diagnosis carried out?

The veterinarian will begin the diagnosis by clarifying what exactly the dog’s owner observed. He will also be interested in what the animal ate, whether it had any diseases before this incident, and whether it had contact with other animals. Combined with a clinical examination, this may be sufficient to determine the cause.

If the doctor suspects an infection, the presence of parasites or another pathology, they do a blood, urine and stool test. If possible, bring vomit and stool samples with you in a clean, airtight glass container. All of them should be collected no more than 2 hours before your appointment with the veterinarian.

Did you know? When puppies are born, there are no bacteria in their stomachs yet. Therefore, they cannot digest any other food except mother's milk

A.
Sometimes tests such as x-rays, ultrasonography, or the use of an endoscope to look inside the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, and small intestine are necessary for diagnosis.
Tests such as liver or intestinal tissue biopsy are needed if a tumor is suspected. A biopsy is the examination of tissue under a microscope. Cancer cells differ from normal cells in their shape, appearance and development.

Treatment of diseases that are manifested by vomiting blood

If a dog is vomiting blood, eliminating the cause is the primary goal of veterinary treatment. In addition, it is necessary to eliminate the symptoms of the disease, relieve pain, repair damage and allow wounds to heal.

Eliminating the cause of the disease will include:

• antibacterial drugs aimed at eliminating infection;
• anthelmintic if parasites are detected;
• antidotes if poison is swallowed;
• surgery to correct injuries or abnormalities of organs.

The use of antiemetics depends on the specific situation. Although the use of such drugs seems like a logical choice, they are not completely helpful for vomiting. Bacterial and parasitic diseases are treated with medications designed to kill the infecting organisms. There are no medications just for viral infections.

Antibiotics are administered daily orally for several days until recovery occurs. Overdose and long-term use may be harmful, so strictly follow your veterinarian's instructions.

How to properly care for your dog during recovery

Considering that the causes of vomiting are most often caused by gastrointestinal problems, it will be important to organize a therapeutic fast for a period of 24–48 hours. During this period, the pet can only have drinking water.

Did you know? In obese dogs, inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract are more often diagnosed. Therefore, they are strongly advised to follow a diet.

Then little by little they begin to give food. This is white rice congee or mashed potatoes. The source of protein will be boiled fish or low-fat cottage cheese. Fiber is added later. If there are special instructions for the diet, the veterinarian will definitely explain them.