Vomiting is the body’s protective reaction to poisoning or another negative condition that can cause severe stomach cramps. Nausea and vomiting are not independent pathologies. They indicate negative changes occurring inside that affect the digestion process. One of the types of vomiting in dogs is undigested food. Typically, this symptom indicates a disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The condition can be dangerous and require urgent treatment. In other cases there is no cause for concern. It is important to be able to recognize the signs of disease, and if you suspect or have any doubts about a serious illness, you should contact your veterinarian.
Nausea and vomiting in dogs is common.
Types of vomiting and probable causes
If your dog vomits after eating undigested food, there may be a variety of reasons for this. They can be divided into two categories:
- Physiological. They are not life-threatening for the pet.
- Pathological. Vomiting is caused by various disorders in the functioning of internal organs.
If the symptom does not recur and the pet behaves as usual, then the reason why the dog’s food comes out and is not digested may be:
- Binge eating. Animals need to be supervised, as many dogs do not feel full and eat until they start vomiting. You should not feed your pet from the table - “human” food is especially difficult for a dog’s stomach.
- Motion sickness. The vestibular system in dogs does not always withstand long trips (just like in humans).
- Eating grass. Substances contained in the herb help remove toxins from the body.
Important! Outdoor grass can be contaminated with parasite eggs, so it is better to give your dog purchased greens or home-grown ones.
- A sharp change in the usual diet. This applies to both replacing one dry food with another (a certain amount of granules of the new product should be mixed into the old one), and switching from one type of food to another (for example, from natural to dry).
- Strong emotional shocks.
Changing your usual lifestyle is stressful for your pet. Such events include:
- estrus;
- pregnancy (nausea and vomiting are typical manifestations of toxicosis during pregnancy);
- childbirth;
- moving;
- drive;
- visiting a veterinarian;
- fight with other animals;
- the arrival of guests or the arrival of a new family member;
- quarrel between owners;
- participation in exhibitions.
In addition, this phenomenon can be caused by:
- Air temperature. In hot weather, the dog may become ill, with nausea and vomiting (especially if the pet has drunk too much liquid).
- Air ingestion from food during hasty swallowing. This is why a dog sometimes burps in the absence of nausea.
- Exercise immediately after feeding.
- Stale food. Dogs are not averse to eating food found on the street or in a trash can. Animals are completely devoid of disgust and “sweep” almost everything. If such whims ended with only vomiting, then we can say that the dog was lucky. The problem can also be caused by low-quality feed (usually the cheapest).
- Individual characteristics. In very rare cases, the reason why a dog vomits undigested food after eating cannot be determined.
If we talk about pathological reasons, they include:
- Exacerbation of infectious diseases.
- Entry of a foreign body into the stomach.
- Allergic reaction.
- Intestinal obstruction (in this case, feces may be released along with vomiting).
- Internal bleeding.
- Chronic diseases of the digestive system (enteritis, ulcers, gastritis).
- Helminthiasis.
- Infections transmitted by fleas, ticks and other ectoparasites.
- Poisoning by poisons.
- Malignant neoplasms.
- Pathologies of the urinary system (one of the most severe is renal failure).
- Disruption of the central nervous system due to traumatic brain injury, the formation of malignant tumors, increased intracranial pressure or infection with meningitis.
Infections often cause vomiting.
Note! Typically, gagging occurs immediately after eating or some time after feeding (for example, when a puppy vomits food one hour after feeding).
If the symptom occurs 1.5-2 hours after the dog has eaten, or in the morning after an evening feeding, then the cause may be a decrease in gastric motility (due to poor nutrition or infection with pathogenic bacteria).
The specific cause can be determined by the color of the foamy discharge present in the vomit. Foam can have the following shades:
- Green. Indicates infection with worms. Parts of parasites and their eggs can also come out.
- White. If the dog has vomited once, such foam is not a dangerous symptom. Its appearance may be associated with heat or heavy physical exertion. If vomiting occurs repeatedly, the cause may be a foreign object entering the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to increased production of mucus, which is removed from the body and, due to interaction with oxygen, turns into foam.
- Yellow. This color is given by bile, which has accumulated in large quantities. This is caused by digestive disorders, pathologies of the gallbladder and liver.
- Red. Indicates internal damage (in the esophagus, stomach, intestines). Bleeding can be caused by a foreign body getting stuck in the digestive tract, ulcers, or tumors.
Important! In the presence of pathological causes, vomiting is accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition of the dog, decreased activity and lack of appetite.
Causes of vomiting undigested food
All reasons that provoke vomiting after eating are divided into 2 groups:
- physiological, not posing a serious threat to life;
- pathological, explained by disorders within the body.
If the vomiting was one-time, and the animal shows its usual activity, then the reason lies in:
- Eaten grass. Fiber has enveloping properties and removes toxins from the body. After eating grass on the street, a dog can become infected with helminth eggs, so it is safer to buy greens at a pet store or grow them yourself.
- Vestibular apparatus. Animals also suffer from motion sickness. If your dog does not tolerate long trips, consult your veterinarian.
- Overeating. Handouts from the table are a serious burden on the body. Some dogs do not feel full, so they continue to eat until the first sign of nausea.
- Changing the usual feeding diet. When changing dry food, it is necessary to gradually mix new granules with old ones. The same applies to a complete change of diet to dry or natural.
- Stressful situations. The dog experiences psychological discomfort during any events that change the usual rhythm of life:
- pregnancy;
- the arrival of a new family member (the birth of a child or the purchase of a pet);
- estrus;
- participation in exhibitions;
- moving;
- aggression from other four-legged animals;
- quarrel between owners.
Pathology is indicated if vomiting attacks are prolonged and accompanied by:
- loss of appetite;
- diarrhea;
- increased temperature;
- apathetic state;
- the appearance of an ammonia odor from the mouth.
If such symptoms appear, the animal must be shown to a veterinarian, as possible causes include:
- acute infectious diseases;
- intestinal obstruction (may be accompanied by the release of excrement through the oral cavity);
- foreign bodies in the stomach;
- internal bleeding;
- chronic gastrointestinal diseases (enteritis, gastritis, ulcers);
- helminthic infestations and parasitic infections (ticks, fleas);
- oncological diseases accompanied by the appearance of neoplasms;
- diseases of the urinary system (uremia, renal failure);
- poisoning with poisons (arsenic, strychnine).
It is easier to recognize the specific cause if colored foam comes out along with undigested food:
- Green. This color signals infection by helminths. Their remains and eggs can also be traced in the vomit.
- White. With a single vomiting, white foam is not dangerous and is associated with hot weather and intense exercise. With repeated attacks, the cause may lie in a foreign body. In this case, the body produces mucus, but does not gain access to the object. The mucus is expelled and turns into foam after interacting with oxygen.
- Yellow. The coloring occurs due to accumulated bile. Its abundant release occurs when:
- digestive disorders (eating questionable foods);
- diseases of the liver or gall bladder.
Differences in the causes of vomiting and regurgitation
The mechanism of vomiting is that food gets onto the irritated mucous surface of the stomach, and this provokes a reflex contraction of tissue in the diaphragm, after which uncontrolled ejection of undigested masses and other contents occurs through the esophagus.
On a note! The muscles of the peritoneum and pharynx are involved in the process of removing vomit, and the preceding symptom is always nausea.
Also added to it:
- restless behavior;
- excessive salivation;
- whining.
It is not difficult to distinguish vomiting from regurgitation. The first can be recognized by abdominal contractions and the consistency of the rejected masses. Regurgitation is the movement of food or liquid in a hollow organ. The stomach muscles are involved in this process. Most often, the reason why a dog can burp is a malfunction of the sphincter, and the reaction itself occurs immediately after eating or drinking. The contents usually follow the shape of the esophagus.
Regurgitation in a dog
Attention! When a dog regurgitates food, the diaphragm and abdominal cavity do not contract.
Reasons why a dog vomits food
Most often, vomiting occurs immediately after eating or some time after feeding. The length of time between food intake and rejection depends on the cause of the digestive disorder.
Nausea and vomiting immediately after eating or during the meal indicates a violation of fermentation, damage to the stomach, gastritis, peptic ulcer, foreign body ingestion or protrusion of the esophageal wall. When food gets on the irritated mucous membrane, tissue contraction occurs in the diaphragm area and involuntary expulsion of the stomach contents occurs.
The occurrence of vomiting of undigested food 1.5-2 hours after feeding or in the morning after an evening meal is an alarming symptom of decreased gastric motility (atony), which can develop as a result of poor nutrition or a bacterial infection.
When vomiting is not dangerous
The degree of danger of this reaction depends on the cause that caused it. Vomiting caused by:
- stress;
- overeating;
- pregnancy;
- eating grass;
- drinking plenty of water in hot weather;
- abrupt transition to a different diet;
- consumption of expired products.
The reasons listed are physiological in nature and therefore safe. It is important that the dog has no other symptoms and that the pet feels well.
By eating fresh grass, the dog tries to cleanse the body of toxins.
Switching to a new food
A sudden change in diet can lead to digestive problems. Thus, a sudden transition to a new type of diet (for example, from dry to wet) or to diets from another manufacturer can cause “irritation” of the dog’s stomach. This is why it is very important to transition your dog to a new food slowly, over a period of 7-10 days. Before deciding to change food, consult your veterinarian. If you continue to see signs that your dog is not getting better with vomiting and other signs of digestive distress, you should take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. She may have a food allergy or intolerance to food components, or more serious diseases (foreign body in the stomach, systemic diseases, etc.).
If you decide to switch to Hill's food, be sure to start with small portions and gradually increase the amount until this food becomes your dog's only food.
How to help your pet
If a dog burps once after eating, then it will not need help. This reaction helps the body get rid of harmful substances and restore normal health.
Repeated vomiting requires intervention, as it significantly worsens the dog’s general condition, leading to dehydration and loss of nutrients. This reaction is most dangerous for puppies, since a fragile body may not withstand severe dehydration.
Before visiting the veterinarian, you should provide first aid to your pet and collect information for the doctor:
- Record the frequency of calls.
- Determine the color and consistency of the masses, check for impurities.
- Identify other symptoms that accompany the urge.
- Analyze previous events that could provoke the problem (purchase of low-quality food, change of diet, eating leftover food found on the street, etc.).
- Give your dog plenty of water, provided it does not cause further vomiting. If your pet refuses to drink, it is recommended to give him warm, sweetened water from a syringe without a needle.
- You can't feed the dog.
- Antiemetic drugs should not be taken because vomiting helps eliminate toxins.
- If the animal has lost consciousness, it must be turned over on its side and its mouth opened so that the pet does not choke on the contents of the stomach.
- In case of poisoning, the dog should be immediately given activated charcoal or a laxative.
You cannot feed a dog if it is vomiting.
The veterinarian must determine the cause of this reaction, for which he conducts the following studies:
- blood analysis;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
- performs a gastroscopy to determine the location of a foreign object or tumor.
Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity
If the animal is severely dehydrated, the dog is given a drip with saline solution.
Attention! Treatment is prescribed depending on the identified disease.
Veterinarians usually prescribe the following medications:
- laxative;
- medications that reduce stomach acidity;
- antispasmodics;
- drugs that slow down the gag reflex.
You will also need a special diet:
- Refusal to eat during the day.
- Feeding liquid and low-fat foods. On the second day, chicken broth is given. When the signs of vomiting completely disappear, the pet can be switched to rice and oatmeal porridge, boiled vegetables and fresh herbs, and chicken fillet.
- Meals should be fractional, that is, in small portions 5-6 times a day.
- It is important that the food is warm and fresh. Uneaten leftovers should be thrown away.
Attention! You can switch to a regular diet only on the third day, provided that the pet feels normal.
Factors that provoke vomiting in small pets
The process of vomiting is regulated by certain centers located in the cerebral cortex. The body needs this reaction to quickly eliminate toxic substances and poisons that have penetrated the cells, as well as foreign objects. The cleansing mechanism is necessary to protect against the destructive effects of foreign substances and objects.
Vomiting in a puppy occurs as a result of the following factors:
- infectious diseases (viral and bacterial origin);
- ingestion of toxic substances in food into the animal’s body (poor quality food, spoiled food collected from trash cans on the street or on the ground);
- foreign objects penetrating the digestive tract (getting stuck in the esophagus, pharynx) provoke coughing and, due to irritation of the mucous membrane, vomiting;
- penetration of irritating and caustic substances into the respiratory tract (for example, insect poison, carbon monoxide, chlorine);
- damage to the body by helminths;
- blockage of the intestinal lumen and obstruction developing against this background;
- severe and regular overeating;
- allergic manifestations.
Thermal factors can also provoke nausea and eruption of gastric contents. Severe overheating of the puppy leads to a malfunction of the central nervous system, characterized by vomiting. Dogs, especially in puppyhood, are unusually susceptible to stress. A little stress in a baby, in the absence of the owner for a long time, can lead to spasms of the intestinal walls, causing nausea and vomiting. Vomiting can also indicate serious illnesses, such as damage to the central nervous system.
Eruption of gastric contents is often a kind of signal from the body that there is serious damage. Depending on the factors that provoked such a reaction, the symptoms will differ. So, a puppy may experience:
- Vomiting with blood - develops with disturbances in the functioning of the pancreas (diabetes mellitus), malignant neoplasms, ulceration of the stomach walls and the opening of bleeding. Blood during vomiting caused by the above factors is scarlet or brown, depending on the duration of bleeding.
- Vomiting of bile - yellow vomit indicates intestinal obstruction or severe helminthiasis (intestinal blockage provokes the animal to eat fresh grass to induce vomiting).
- Vomiting and diarrhea - repeated eruption of gastric contents, which has a specific ammonia odor, indicates a disruption in the functioning of the renal structures (kidney failure is manifested by similar changes).
- Frequent profuse vomiting is a sign of inflammatory processes in the pancreas, gallbladder, or liver problems.
If your puppy is vomiting on an empty stomach or immediately after eating, he may have an inflammation in his stomach. Vomiting white foam is also frightening. But such a reaction of the body is a physiological process that occurs against the background of increased production of a specific secretion by the walls of the stomach.
The appearance of vomiting and white foam after eating indicates the passage of a food coma through the digestive tract. The stomach is empty, but hydrochloric acid continues to be produced. The stomach's own walls are corroded.
In order to prevent this phenomenon, mucus is produced to protect the walls and neutralize the effect of acid. Mucus contains protein components and polysaccharides. When combined with air, a white foam is formed. There is no need to worry if this condition occurs one-time in a puppy.
In case of repeated vomiting, it is recommended to seek help from a veterinarian at the clinic.
If a pet vomits with white foam on an empty stomach, suspicion arises of problems in the bile secretion department. Under normal conditions, bile enters the appropriate parts of the intestine for further breakdown of food. The liver produces an enzymatic substance necessary for digesting food.
One-time vomiting also does not require treatment. Under normal conditions, this condition can occur once a week. The appearance of a yellow tint in the vomit is a reason to immediately contact a specialist.
A life-threatening condition for an animal is vomiting blood. The appearance of blood in the vomit indicates damage to the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. The cause is a puncture of the walls of the esophagus, stomach or intestines with a sharp object. These could be swallowed nails, sharp pebbles, or bone fragments.
Infectious diseases can provoke vomiting of blood. The main ones are parvovirus enteritis, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis.
The cause of bloody vomiting is also serious intoxication of the body with salts of heavy metals or zoocoumarins. Less commonly, the cause of vomiting blood is diseases of the liver structures. In this case, the blood flow is thrown into the stomach, irritating the walls and causing the eruption of gastric contents. Bleeding in the stomach cavity is provoked by long-term treatment with potent antibiotics.
Prevention of poisoning
To protect your dog from dangers, symptoms of which include nausea and vomiting, you should follow a few tips and recommendations:
- Do not allow your pet to pick up various objects on the street, dig through garbage, etc. To do this, the dog must obey the owner, which means that it must be raised and trained correctly (the animal must respond adequately to the command “fu”, “no”).
- Buy only high-quality premium and super-premium food.
- Monitor the freshness of food.
- Introduce new foods into your diet gradually. The transition to a new menu should also not be abrupt.
- Regularly deworm and treat your pet against external parasites (use drops, collars, sprays and other means).
- Carry out routine vaccinations.
- Visit your veterinarian regularly for preventive examinations.
- Eliminate foods that cause allergies in your dog from the diet.
High-quality nutrition is the key to the health of your pet.
Vomiting of undigested food is a fairly common occurrence in dogs, regardless of breed (be it Spitz, Terrier, Yorkie or Shepherd). This reaction is a sign of internal disturbances. In some cases, the cause can be absolutely safe, in others it can be a serious threat to the animal. It is important to follow preventive measures and, if necessary, seek help from a veterinarian. It is unacceptable to treat your pet on your own, as well as resort to untested folk remedies.
Causes of vomiting in dogs
Vomiting can occur in dogs for a variety of reasons, some more serious than others. Food indiscriminate behavior is a common cause of vomiting in dogs (eg, eating garbage or food from the owner's table). However, vomiting can also be caused by something more serious, such as ingestion of toxins, gastrointestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, and more.
Vomiting is one of the most common symptoms of the disease with which dog owners come to the Constellation veterinary clinic. Vomiting may be accompanied by diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy. It is important not only to understand what caused the dog to vomit, but it is also important to know what to do in this situation.
