Friday, August 24, 2012

Vomiting in dogs

By Jerry Welsh


While dog vomiting is an ordinary occurrence, dog owners can't help but worry as this issue can have adverse effects on the health of the pet. This forceful ejection of the contents of the stomach can arise from a variety of conditions. Vomiting results when the irritated stomach of the pet expulses its contents. Dogs hold a special place in our hearts. Thus it would not be surprising if dog owners would worry if the pet is seen throwing up. A dog owner would always want to administer treatment but before it can be done the reasons why the dog is vomiting has to be ascertained. Additionally, repeated bouts of vomiting can result to life threatening dehydration.

There are two main categories of vomiting. The dog's vomiting is acute if it is sudden and usually a one-time occurrence. If the pet's vomiting bouts are recurring and lasts for a period of time it is classified as chronic. Acute vomiting is commonly not a sign of a serious medical issue.

The introduction of a new food can make the dog vomit. Dogs are not only fast eaters, they also have the habit of ingesting spoiled food and non food items. Even if owners provide the pets with sufficient amounts of food, the desire to get the largest share is inherent in canines thus dogs are seen gobbling up food. Because the dogs would instinctively eat fast, more kibble will be ingested. The dog will vomit when the dry kibble doubles in size after absorbing the moisture in the stomach. Dogs have huge appetites so that even inedible objects will be eaten. The dog's vomiting may not be due to eating too much but because it has ingested poisonous substances.

Vomiting that becomes chronic is a reason to consult the vet as the dog may have an undiagnosed medical concern. Food allergies can cause long term vomiting. Recurring bouts of vomiting can be caused by intestinal parasite infestation, parvovirus, distemper and other diseases.

Vomiting is actually a symptom of a health concern. A vomiting pet may not require any treatment. A dog would need immediate medical attention if it has ingested poisonous substances but if vomiting is caused by the dog's voracious eating habits, treatment will not be necessary more so if the dog is its usual active self. Dogs with less serious cause of vomiting would benefit from 24 hour fasting as this will give the digestive system a chance to recover. After the fasting period, the dog can be given easy to digest food like boiled chicken and rice. Dogs with chronic vomiting must have a full clinical examination to diagnose the underlying condition.




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