Got a chow hound? Don‘t let the holiday stress get the best of your dog this season. Avoid thorny, canine vomiting issues and stay out of the Pet ER!. The occasional episode of dog vomiting in an otherwise healthy dog is generally not a cause for concern. Indiscriminate eating is the number 1 most common cause of canine vomiting. Persistent vomiting with or without signs of illness such as appetite loss, depression, lethargy, diarrhea, or constipation can indicate a more severe problem and should be addressed by your veterinarian. It’s the fluid loss and subsequent dehydration that results from vomiting, that can lead to more serious problems if left untreated. Vomiting brings up a mixture of food, acids, and enzymes from the stomach which in certain cases can be lifesaving.
Differentiating vomiting from regurgitation is easy. When a dog vomits, you can see the abdominal muscles contract. Regurgitation on the other hand, occurs effortlessly, without muscle contractions.
Signs Prior to Dog Vomiting
Excess salivation
Discomfort
Pacing and whining
Gurgling or loud stomach noises
Causes of Dog Vomiting
· Eating bad food: garbage, excess fatty foods, and table scraps.
· Ingestion of foreign objects: bones, rubber balls, stones, sticks.
· Intestinal parasites: roundworms, especially in puppies.
· Viral infections: distemper, parvo-virus, corona virus.
· Diseases: diabetes, cancer and stomach ulcers.
· Poisons: household drugs (e.g. Aspirin and Tylenol), rat poison, antifreeze, pesticides.
· Motion sickness (occurs while traveling in the car).
· Stress/emotions: excess excitement or anxiety.
Home Treatment for Dog Vomiting
With dog vomiting the general recommendation is to withhold food and water for 6-8 hours. Giving food or water usually makes the vomiting worse. After that, offer a couple of ice cubes, then try small amounts of bland pureed chicken baby food one teaspoon at a time. The next day make a bland diet using pureed chicken or turkey breast. Offer small amounts every few hours. On day three add cooked rice and raw chopped greens to provide bulk. Then, gradually begin to add your dog’s normal diet back into the bland diet in one-quarter increments over the next few days. Finally, decrease the number of feedings and increase the time interval between them until your dog is back on his normal diet and routine.
Holistic Herbal Dog Vomiting Remedies
· Remedy #1: Mix half a cup of fresh minced parsley with one cup of water. Boil five minutes, strain, cool and add one teaspoon of honey. Give one tablespoon of the final solution every 10 minutes.
· Remedy #2: Pour two cups of boiling water over half a cup of fresh thyme or rosemary, infuse for 10 minutes, strain and cool. Give one teaspoon every 10 minutes.
· Remedy #3: Make tea out of chamomile or peppermint and offer small amounts.
· Remedy #4: Ginger is effective for vomiting due to motion sickness. If vomiting persists, see your vet. Your dog will need to be examined. An accurate history of the vomiting and a sample of the vomitus help determine the cause. Blood work and x-rays may help pinpoint the problem.
Dr. Carol’s TIP:
Persistent canine vomiting and/or vomitus with blood in it should be promptly addressed by your veterinarian. Foreign objects can irritate and/or cause an obstruction which can result in vomiting. Dog liver and kidney issues as well as diabetes and cancer can also be underlying problems.
Homeopathic Dog Vomiting Remedy’s
For moderate dog vomiting Nux vomica 6c (poison nut) can help: one pellet every four hours until symptoms are gone. If there is no effect in 24 hours, try Pulsatilla 6c (windflower): one pellet every four hours until symptoms are gone. In each case, withhold food 10 minutes before and after treatment.
