Why Do Dogs Throw Up?
02 Sep 2010
Dog owners are exposed to the vomiting bouts of the pet one time or another. The expulsion of food from the dog's stomach can be due to a variety of reasons. Similar to humans, dogs vomit if they have eaten something that does not agree with their system. It is not surprising for a dog to have an upset stomach because this voracious eater would eat anything from spoiled food to inedible objects.
Nature has given dogs an effective way of purging the stomach of objects not accepted by the dog's system. All the dog need to do is eat grass and all the things ingested that were not accepted by the dog's system will be thrown up. Vomiting will occur if the dog has eaten substantial amount of food and has drank water quickly. The vomiting can be the result of the new dog food. Although quite uncommon, stress can make the dog vomit.
A dog that was taken to a new home where there are already other pet dogs will vomit. The situation becomes highly stressful if the nervous or shy newcomer is introduced to a large and dominant old pet. An owner has to deal with the inconvenience for a while but as soon as the dog has adapted to its new environment the stress induced vomiting will be gone. After the vomiting bout, the dog will be its normal energetic self. Owners of healthy dogs with normal energy levels and good appetite need not be too concerned with the pet's vomiting. Pet owners can usually manage this kind of vomiting at home. To prevent the dog from vomiting repeatedly, food must not be given for 24 hours.
However, a dog's vomiting may not be due to dietary indiscretion. Vomiting is not considered a disease in itself but an indication of an underlying illness. A pet parent should be vigilant and carefully observe the condition of the vomiting dog.
A dog owner has to act at once if the repeated vomiting is accompanied with diarrhea, fever and the dog is noticed to be lethargic. The vomiting of the dog may be caused by a poisonous substance that was ingested by the pet. Vomiting can be due to parasites infestation or infectious diseases such as parvovirus. A dog with bloody vomit may be suffering from intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, kidney problems and stomach ulcer. Immediate medical attention must be given to a pet that has been vomiting for 24 hours more so if the dog is unresponsive and lethargic.
Want to know more about why dogs vomit and first aid for dogs? Sarah's Dogs is where you want to go.
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