There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night to the coughing, hacking sound of your precious pup vomiting. Let’s face it, it’s a traumatic event that often scares our pets, who already feel bad enough. And, it can be jarring for a loving owner who is concerned and doesn’t know if she should call the vet or not.
Long-term dog owners know that vomiting is not uncommon. Occasionally, healthy dogs will get sick for no apparent reason and then continue with their day as if nothing happened. Your dog could have eaten too quickly, swallowed something disagreeable, or merely snacked on too much grass.
This type of vomiting is usually nothing to worry about. So how do you tell when vomiting is a cause for concern?
Your dog is most likely fine if he vomits once without any other symptoms, according to veterinarians.
If your dog's vomiting can be described as any of the following, then it is time to start getting concerned:
- Continuous vomiting
- Chronic vomiting
- Vomiting a lot at one time
- Vomiting with other symptoms, like fever, weight loss, lethargy, anemia, etc.
- Vomiting blood
- Vomiting with nothing coming up
- Bloody diarrhea
- Suspected foreign body ingestion
- Seizures
Acute vomiting, which can be defined as sudden or severe bouts of vomiting, is a serious symptom of quite a few diseases, disorders, and complications. And while the culprits for what is causing the vomiting range from intestinal parasites to heat stroke to ingestion of toxins or poisons, the solutions can vary.
As a responsible dog owner, it is up to you to help the vet narrow down the problem. If you find your kitchen garbage strewn about the floor, those chicken bones could be the trouble. Or, if Fido ate a box of chocolates you purchased for Aunt Sally, there’s your issue. Bigger picture, think about your dog’s environment and where she has been. Did she scamper through the park all weekend, right after they had sprayed pesticides? Did he help you garden, digging up everything you planted and ingesting some of the fertilizer? This is important information for your vet.
You know your dog's behavior best, which is why it is up to you to fill your veterinarian in on anything that could have contributed to your dog's condition, like access to human medications, toxins and other possible causes.
Other causes of vomiting can be colitis, diarrhea, and basic gas and bloating caused by the food she is eating. Be thoughtful about what your pup is consuming. If it isn’t fresh organic dog food, it may be causing intestinal issues that are a warning sign of trouble to come.
Just as for people, fresh, organic food eliminates unnecessary and potentially toxic ingredients and additives. It helps avoid toxic build up and allows your pup to feel great every day.
If your pup is suffering from a touchy tummy, consider a change in diet to Wag Tantrum. 100% organic, fresh frozen and shipped/delivered to your front door. Your dog will love the taste and you will love the energy it gives you as a faithful companion.