 Vomiting
Vomiting is defined as the forceful ejection of
gastric and occasionally, proximal small intestine content through the mouth.
All dogs will ocassionally vomit. In the wild they
feed their young with regurgitated food and so vomiting is physiologically almost normal
under certain circumstances. Because humans hate to vomit we assume that the same applies
to our pets. The concern is not the act of vomiting but the frequency and the potential
cause.
How the disease works in the body
Vomiting occurs under the control of a series of
complex activities originating in the vomit center of the brain and a chemical receptor in
the heart. Between them they recognize stimuli from elsewhere in the body which triggers
gastric and diaphragmatic contraction leading to vomiting. Many animals will have
increased salivation indicating nausea prior to vomiting.
Owner's assessment
The importance of the owner's assessment is to
determine the importance of the symptom and whether it warrants professional help by
visiting the veterinarian or whether home care and nursing will suffice. The following
symptoms should be noted.
- How often does your pet vomit? Weekly, daily,
hourly?
- How long has it been vomiting for? One hour,
one day, one week?
- How is your pet? Is it bright, dull,
collapsed?
- Are there other symptoms? Diarrhoea,
inappetance, incontinence?
Unfortunately only experience, common sense and
professional knowledge can give you all the answers but the general rule is that if the
vomiting is only occasional, of recent duration and if your pet is reasonably bright, then
probably there is not too much to worry about and, vice versa.
Causes of Vomiting
There are too many causes of vomiting to list here.
However the article will look at a few of the more interesting causes and solutions:
- Swallowed 'foreign bodies' can be anything from
a sock or child's toy. Many smaller foreign bodies will cause initial vomiting but
then pass on their own accord. However, they occasionally become lodged and become a
surgical emergency. If your pet is vomiting regularly (several times per day) and not
passing faeces, there could be an intestinal blockage and you should visit your
veterinarian.
- Parasitism is divided into Roundworm and Tapeworm
categories. The former is often incriminated in causing partial intestinal blockages,
especially in puppies and kittens. If you have not wormed your dog or cat in the past 3
months it may be worth doing so with Endorid and
Droncit. We suggest that you read the articles on Roundworms
and Tapeworms
- Dietary problems are a common cause of vomiting
whether they are primary (over eating, gorging, too rich, too fatty food) or secondary to
some other cause of vomiting (such as a gastric infection). If your dog has a delicate
stomach we would suggest a low fat, easily digested, medium protein diet fed in several
small portions over the day. Hills Canine d/d or Hills Canine i/d diet ranges are
very effective.
- Metabolic diseases such as kidney disease, liver
disease, sepsis, changes in mineral balance can all lead to vomiting. They usually present
with other symptoms as well and will need veterinary attention.
- Poisons. It depends on the type of poison. If known
consult your vet.
- Infections of the stomach (gastritis) often also
effect the upper intestine so that your dog may also present with diarrhoea. Certain
infections such as Salmonella may also affect yourself. Use gloves when handling vomit and
faeces and wash well afterwards with an antiseptic solution. Most infections are self
limiting after a couple of days when the body's immunity overcomes the bacteria or virus.
- Gastric ulcers occur in dogs, there are certain
similarities to as in humans with evidence of Helicobacter infection being present in many
ulcers. Initial diet changes may be all that is required in the initial instance. However
if your pet vomits blood on several occasions and / or black, tar like faeces (digested
blood is present) are passed we would recommend a rapid trip to the veterinarian.
- A major emergency in dogs is gastric dilatation and
torsion syndrome. This usually occurs in 'deep chested' breeds such as German Shepherds
and presents as an acute onset condition with a dog trying to vomit but only producing
phlegm, not food. This is an ACUTE emergency and immediate surgical care is required.
- Certain intestinal conditions such as colitis may
cause vomiting. Other symptoms such as mucoid, diarrhoea will also be present.
Treatment for vomiting
Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms.
If your dog is reasonably bright, passing faeces and vomiting just a couple of times per
day then home nursing may be all that is required.
Starve for 24 hours
Keep in the house for 3 days with
a litter tray to evaluate faeces and to prevent scavenging.
Remove water and offer Lectade solution to prevent dehydration. In the first 24 hours this
should be given at the rate of 8 to 30ml every half hour by mouth. If too much is given at
once, vomiting will reoccur. This can be continued on an ad lib basis for a further 3 days
along with bottled water as required
Change to a low fat, low fibre,
medium protein diet such as Hills Canine i/d for a minimum for three days and feed 4 small
feeds daily. If a dietary sensitivity / allergy is suspected Hills Canine d/d
Worm your pet with tapeworm
Droncit and roundworm tablets Endorid.
If vomiting persists after 48
hours seek veterinary attention.
We would advise that you
keep several sachets of Lectade in your dog's 'First aid Kit' at all times. |
- All rights reserved