Dog Food - Is Your Dog Vomiting Due To His Diet?

Normally, it shouldn't be a cause for concern when your dog vomits - it's a fairly regular occurrence when he does. Dogs eat a few blades of grass once in awhile. Grass doesn't usually agree well with their stomachs, and may cause your dog to throw up.

There is usually a good and normal reason why your dog throws up. Changing your dog's diet may stress him out, and this can also induce vomiting. It's advisable to wait around twenty-four hours to see if the vomiting occurs again. This shouldn't be a cause for concern unless your dog appears to become lethargic.

Dog Food

When abnormal vomiting is observed, you must cease feeding your dog for about twenty-four hours. If vomiting does not occur again, slowly start by feeding your pet dog with a bland diet. However, if your dog's condition becomes worse it is wise to seek a veterinarian's help immediately.

It is advisable to bring your dog to the vet when he experiences vomiting repeatedly for more than an hour, or if he has been observed to vomit persistently for twenty-four hours.

Vomiting has numerous causes. At times it is easy to find what the cause is, but there are also times when it is hard to identify its cause. A pretty reliable source to start with would be your pet's last meal.

The consistency of your dog's vomit may possibly point out to what is wrong.

o Undigested food in the vomit may indicate food poisoning, anxiety or simply overeating.

o Strong odor of the vomit may indicate an intestinal obstruction.

You can try and give your dog some ice cubes and water if vomiting does not happen within twenty-four hours after the last episode. This would help your dog regain lost fluids and may also help calm his stomach. You must make sure that your dog doesn't lose too much fluid. Dehydration can be fatal to your pet. If this doesn't induce vomiting, then you can start giving your pet small portions of food. You must initially stick to a bland diet when feeding a dog that has a case of abnormal vomiting. It is wise to bring your dog to the vet when vomiting persists after feeding the dog a bland diet.

This is what you should do in case your dog is displaying signs of abnormal vomiting:

1. You must not feed your pet dog for twenty-four hours.

2. If the vomiting stops after doing step one, you can then feed your dog a bland diet. The food should ideally consist of two thirds rice, sweet potato or oatmeal, and one third of the meal should be well-cooked, non-fatty meats such as poultry or lean pork or beef. Make sure that you do not feed your dog any food that may cause an adverse allergic reaction.

3. Feed your dog only half of the normal quantity of food you usually feed him. You can also opt to feed several small well spaced meals until the vomiting subsides.

Dog Food - Is Your Dog Vomiting Due To His Diet?

Dog Food

When Should I Induce Dog Vomiting?

Dogs are naturally curious creatures, and they will find their way to get into things that they shouldn't. But, no matter what your dog has ingested the first step is always to call the vet.

It could be more dangerous if you try and induce vomiting without talking to an expert.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

As a general guideline you should not induce vomiting if the dog is already vomiting, or if your dog is unconscious, having trouble standing or breathing.

If your dog has ingested bleach, drain cleaner or a petrolleum dissilate product you do not want it to vomit them up because they could burn your dog's esophagus or mouth.

Finally, be aware of how much time has passed since your dog ingested the substance. If it has been over two hours, it is probably in the dog's small intestine and can't be vomited back up.

The only time it is ok to induce vomiting is if your vet tells you to or if your dog has ingested antifreeze within the past two hours.

How To Induce Vomiting

Now that you know when to induce vomiting here is how you do it.

First, it helps if your dog has a little food in its stomach, so give it a cracker, some bread or some dog food. Put some 3% hydrogen peroxide (you can also use ipecac) into a small bowl and use a 10 cc syringe to take in 3 cc's of liquid for every 20 lbs (9 kg) of the dog's weight.

Shoot a steady stream of liquid at the back of your dog's throat.

If your dog has not started vomiting after 10 minutes give one more dose. If your dog still has not started to vomit or if your dog is vomiting uncontrollably do not give another dose, but call your vet immediately.

When Should I Induce Dog Vomiting?

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Help, My Dog is Vomiting

Vomiting in dogs is a very common occurrence and can arise from a wide variety of causes, from simple gastritis to complex diseases of other body systems. Not only is it very distressing for both the dog and owner, it also provides a challenge for the veterinarian. This article explains the multiple causes of vomiting in dogs, including adverse food reactions, and the range of treatment options available.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

What is vomiting?

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Vomiting is the expulsion of food, fluid or debris from the stomach or small intestine due to coordinated movements of the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. It is important to differentiate this from regurgitation, which is a passive process rather than a coordinated effort like vomiting.

Regurgitation is a sign of disease in the esophagus, such as obstructions (foreign bodies such as a stick, bone or toy, or a stricture), esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) or megaesophagus (dilatation of the esophagus due to weakening of the smooth muscle). The main difference between regurgitation and vomiting is that regurgitation is effortless, while vomiting is accompanied by strong abdominal contractions.

How can I tell vomiting and regurgitation apart?

Sometimes this is not easy to do. Generally speaking, if it happens immediately after eating it is more likely to be regurgitation (though vomiting can still occur then). If the content of the material expelled appears to be completely undigested food, this also supports regurgitation. If the presence of bile can be confirmed though, it is more likely to be vomiting.

Causes of vomiting

The most common causes of vomiting are dietary related, either through dietary indiscretion (e.g. overeating, eating overly rich or spoiled food) which causes acute (sudden) vomiting, or adverse food reactions (food allergies) which can cause chronic (long term and intermittent) vomiting.

However, there are a huge number of other causes arising from either the gastrointestinal system itself (stomach and small intestine) or secondary to disease elsewhere in the body (e.g. liver or kidney disease). Within the stomach, possible causes include:

1. Gastritis (inflammatory disease)

2. Stomach ulceration

3. Stomach cancer

4. Obstruction (foreign bodies, telescoping of intestine)

5. Hiatal hernia (part stomach herniating through the diaphragm)

Possible causes within the intestine include:

1. Infectious diseases (e.g. parvovirus)

2. Worms

3. Inflammatory bowel disease

4. Intestinal cancer

Secondary causes of vomiting that are due to disease elsewhere in the body include:

1. Pancreatitis (infection or inflammation of the pancreas)

2. Peritonitis (infection in the abdominal cavity)

3. Hepatitis (liver inflammation)

4. Kidney failure

5. Pyometra (infection of the uterus)

6. Hormonal deficiencies or excesses (e.g. Addisons disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Septicemia, Calcium imbalance)

Other potential causes that do not fit into the above categories are drug reactions (e.g. digoxin, chemotherapy drugs, NSAIDs) and neurological disorders.

Treatment of vomiting

Vomiting is a symptom, not a disease in itself. Whether or not treatment is appropriate depends upon the individual circumstances. If the dog is only vomiting occasionally, is bright and otherwise normal on examination, treatment is probably not necessary. Some dogs with sensitive digestive systems will vomit once or twice a month regardless of any treatment, and if they are otherwise well this should be ignored.

For acute vomiting cases, the first step should always be to starve the dog for 24 hours (while keeping plenty of water available ad lib). After the period of starvation, the dog should be offered small portions of a very bland food, such as chicken and boiled rice, for a few days. Meals should be fed as smaller portions several times a day, rather than one larger meal.

Though treating the symptom itself will often improve patient demeanor and comfort, it is no replacement for making a correct diagnosis of the underlying cause, and certain drugs can be harmful if given blindly (for example, giving metoclopromide to a dog with a gastric or intestinal obstruction). Certainly cases of acute and severe vomiting require immediate treatment, as dogs can become rapidly dehydrated, develop electrolyte imbalances and aspiration pneumonia otherwise.

Managing the vomiting dog

There are 2 goals when dealing with a vomiting dog:

1. Identify the underlying cause

2. Stop the vomiting in a safe and effective manner

In many cases, anti emetic therapy (the technical term for vomiting is emesis, and therefore drugs used to treat it are called anti emetics) is instigated immediately while the cause is being established.

A veterinarian will start by taking a full history, focusing especially on normal diet, recent medication, vaccination status and the description of the symptoms. He or she must first make sure that the dog is genuinely vomiting and not regurgitating, which has a completely different set of underlying causes. It is also important to get a graphic description of the material expelled, and whether it contained bile, fresh blood or what appears to be coffee granules (partly digested blood).

The next step is a full clinical examination, including carefully feeling the abdomen, taking the dogs rectal temperature and assessing the hydration status. Once this is completed, a veterinarian will have a slightly narrowed down list of differential diagnoses in mind. If the dog is not dehydrated, bright in demeanor, and both vital parameters and feeling the abdomen were normal, the veterinarian will often (and rightly so) make a presumptive diagnosis of gastritis, or gastroenteritis if diarrhea is present too, and prescribe antibiotics to combat the likely bacterial infection. The owner is then likely to be sent home with instructions to starve the dog for 24hrs and give bland food for a few days, alongside the antibiotics. The owner is instructed to monitor the dog closely, and return immediately if there are any signs of deterioration, or 2 to 3 days later for a routine check up.

If there are any findings in the clinical history or the physical examination that trigger concern, then further tests are necessary. The first of these is usually blood tests for hematology and biochemistry profiles. Urine and feces may also be analysed, the latter for either nasty bacteria or parasites. Additional laboratory tests may be required in certain circumstances, such as bile acid stimulation testing if liver dysfunction is suspected, or an ACTH stimulation test to look for adrenal disease.

The next stage of the work up involves imaging. The most useful is abdominal radiography (xrays), but ultrasonography and endoscopy can also be very important. Radiography and endoscopy both have to be carried out under general anesthesia, while ultrasonography can be performed conscious. If the imaging does not reveal the underlying cause then biopsies may be taken, either endoscopically guided or via exploratory surgery. Histopathology of these samples (studying the tissue microscopically) can give vital clues as to the cause, particularly by differentiating between inflammation and cancer.

The final diagnostic option is the therapeutic trial. If the dog gets better on the medication prescribed, then it must have been a certain type of disease that responds to that drug. By this rationale, wormers, antibiotics or an exclusion diet trial may be chosen.

Drugs used in the treatment of vomiting

1. Stomach protectants and antacids

These medications are useful when stomach ulceration is suspected. Examples include sucralfate (acts like a band aid over the ulcer), H2 antagonists (reduce acid production) and omeprazole (also reduces acidity).

2. Metoclopromide

This drug blocks a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine, which prevents activation of the vomiting centre in the brain (known as the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone). It is only partially effective in doing this though, and has the additional effect of increasing forward motility of the gut. This means it must never be given to dogs that might have a stomach or intestinal obstruction. It can also cause mental changes such as hyperactivity and disorientation.

3. Phenothiazines (e.g. Acepromazine, ACP)

These are effective at blocking the dopamine receptors mentioned above, in addition to other receptors involved in the vomiting reflex. They are usually used when metoclopromide has failed, but also have undesirable side effects such as low blood pressure and sedation.

4. Antihistamines

Histamine receptors are also present in the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone, the part of the brain that controls the vomiting reflex. Antihistamines are effective in blocking vomiting that is due to motion sickness, but are little use against other causes.

5. Domperidone

Domperidone has a similar action to metoclopromide in that it blocks dopamine receptors and secondarily blocks serotonin receptors, but it does not have the promotility effects of metoclopromide. However, side effects include vulval enlargement and possible effects on fertility.

6. Maropitant

This is a new drug that is a Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist. It can be given orally or by injection, and is extremely effective at stopping vomiting by working both on the vomiting centre in the brain and on the stomach itself. It is deemed so effective at stopping vomiting that veterinarians must be careful to properly investigate potentially dangerous underlying causes, that could be masked fatally by this drug.

Help, My Dog is Vomiting

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

How To Treat Dog Vomiting

A very common problem that virtually all of us see as dog owners is dog vomiting.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

There are potentially many different causes of dog vomiting. The most common cause is garbage gut, where your dog consumes something he shouldn't have, resulting in vomiting. Other causes include food allergies, parasites, medications, infectious causes (i.e. parvovirus), cancer, liver or kidney disease, pancreatitis, metabolic disorders (thyroid disease or diabetes), physical obstructions such as a ball or a bone, and primary motility disorders (the stomach doesn't contract normally).

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Any vomiting dog must be evaluated for dehydration. If your dog is vomiting persistently and unable to retain even water, wait no longer than 24 hours before going to your veterinarian. This indicates a severe problem, such as an obstruction, that needs to be treated with IV fluids and possibly surgery. If your dog is still consuming water and occasionally vomiting, then you can try some of the home remedies.

Fasting. A 24 hour fast is the most important thing you can do to allow your pet's inflamed stomach to heal. Allow access to controlled amounts of water, but no food. After 24 hours offer bland food such as plain cooked white rice; give equivalent amounts of rice as you do dog or cat food. After 48 hours mix their regular food with rice and don't fully go to regular food until after 72 hours.

For Food Allergens. For dogs and cats with chronic vomiting, I strongly recommend a diet change. Preferably switch to a hypoallergenic food or homemade allergy diet. At the very least, change to a premium quality food - I find that some pets respond to a more natural diet. In light of the recent Pet Food Recall, paying close your dog's diet is even more important than ever.

Homeopathic. Nux Vomica is an effective homeopathic remedy for dog vomiting. Give 1 tablet of the 30C strength per 40lbs once daily for 3-5 days.

Herbal - Ginger. A tasty addition for a curry is also effective for vomiting. The dried herb dose is 25mg per lb or 1 drop per lb twice daily of the tincture.

Acupressure Point. The ST36 point, located on the outside of the hind leg below the knee may be effective; press it for 1 minute twice daily for 3-5 days to see if it helps.

Flowers to the Rescue: Bach Rescue Remedy can make your pet feel a little better about their illness. Give your pet 3-4 drops by mouth every 6 hours.

Herbal - Chamomile. This is commonly used in people with mild stomach upset and it may help your pet. Give 30mg per lb of the dried herb, or 2 drops per lb of the tincture three times daily.

The treatments I covered may be all that you need for now. But I guarantee that you will use many of the thousands of at home remedies in my book.

I use them every day in practice. They work. No side effects.

You should try it.

To your pet's good health,

Dr. Andrew Jones

How To Treat Dog Vomiting

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Dog Vomiting - Yuck! My Dog Just Threw Up

Just about everyone who has, or has had, a dog, has either thought or said that or something close to it. Over the years every dog I've had has thrown up at one time or another. For some it was a weekly thing and others hardlly ever. We had one dog, Shelly, who threw up only once, that we know of, in all the years we had her. Right on the new couch.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

A dog vomiting is a pretty common occurrence. Most of the time it's caused by eating something they shouldn't have. As they walk around the yard, or even while you're out walking them their nose is to the ground and anything that looks interesting like a leaf, a pebble, paper or plastic wrappers, sticks, I could go on and on, they have to check it out and put it in their mouth. It can also be caused by overfeeding, which can also cause diarrhea. It is amazing the things dogs will eat.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Why Is My Dog Vomiting?

Diet Change - changes in their diet like new dog food

Eating Too Rapidly - What dog hasn't

Food Allergy - Food allergies in dogs usually show as itchy skin. If the GI tract is affected it is much more likely to cause diarrhea.

Obstructing objects - Anything that blocks the exit from the stomach to the intestines will eventually cause vomiting. Sticks, stones, too big a piece from their bones or rubber toys.

However, there are a many other causes that can be from either the gastrointestinal system itself or a disease somewhere else in the body.

What Else Could Be Causing Doggie To Throw Up?

Parasites - Young dogs and puppies that have large numbers of roundworms or hookworms may vomit. These puppies usually have as large potbelly.

Heat Stroke - Heat stroke is common in dogs if they are left out in the sun too long in the hot summer months.

Liver Disease - Your vet can check their blood enzymes. A high enzyme level could mean liver disease.

Motion Sickness - Many dogs get sick their first few times in a car, but after a while they usually get over it.

Pancreatitis - If their pancreas become inflammed that could cause frequent vomiting.

Middle and Inner Ear Disease - If they get an ear infection that gets to the inner ear, that can affect the organs of balance and can cause vomiting. Dogs will tilt or shake their heads or scratch their ear.

What Did They Throw Up?

- If what they threw up is high in mucus it indicates that the stomach or high intestine is inflamed.
- Undigested food can indicate food poisoning, anxiety, or simply over eating.
- Bile is often present when vomiting is caused by inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis.
- Flecks of bright blood could mean that they have an open sore in their stomach.
- If there is brown specs that look like coffee grounds, that could be dried blood which could mean the problem is farther down the intestine.
- Strong digestive odors suggests intestinal blockage.
- Garbage type things like paper wrappers, food containers, bits of aluminum foil, etc. then this is probably from eating crap that will be easy to manage.

Many objects that initially cause vomiting are eventually passed in the stool. I've seen a full size superball in the poop of a Lab. Throwing up can empty the stomach of things that could be the cause like spoiled food, leaves etc.

How To Treat Your Dogs Vomiting

Vomiting is a symptom, it is not a disease. So the cause will determine the treatment. If the dog is only vomiting occasionally, and otherwise normal then treatment is probably not necessary. Some dogs with sensitive stomachs will vomit once or twice a month regardless of any treatment, and if they are otherwise normal then treatment probably isn't necessary.

For acute vomiting cases, the first thing is to not feed them for 24 hrs. but keep plenty of water available. After that time, only give them small portions of a very bland food, such as chicken and boiled rice, for a few days. Instead of a big meal, give them little meals several times a day.

Dehydration is a concern for any animal that is vomiting. If your dog is contiually throwing up, and can't even hold down water, you should take them to the vet immediately. This could be a severe problem, like an obstruction, that could possibly need surgery. If they can hold down water and are only vomiting occasionally, then you can try the home remedies of smaller meals of the bland diet.

Though treating the symptom itself will often improve their comfort, if you believe the problem may be serious it is better to be safe than sorry and get your dog to your veteranarian for the correct diagnosis of the underlying cause.

Dog Vomiting - Yuck! My Dog Just Threw Up

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Stomach Problems Which Cause Dog Vomiting

Serious stomach problems invariably cause dog vomiting. These problems can be best diagnosed by a gastroscopy (a thin fibre-optic instrument which is passed in through the mouth and into the stomach), X-rays and ultrasound. When a gastroscope is not available, exploratory surgery can be done but is a lot more intrusive for the dog.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Dogs are relentlessly inquisitive about there surroundings and are prone to rummaging around in trash and trashcans. This has been known to cause many stomach problems in canines from this 'scavenging' of scrap foods. Because many of these food substances have gone bad by the time they are eaten, in many cases this leads to the following stomach conditions.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Acute Gastritis

Gastritis is generally caused when dogs scavenge but it can also be brought on by infections, parasites and poisons. This causes the dogs to vomit and go off their food. Treatment will involve removing any known or obvious cause of the gastritis and also correcting any complications such as electrolyte imbalances. Feeding the affected dog is restricted.

Chronic Gastritis

A dog with chronic gastritis will regularly vomit over a period of time. The problem may be caused by persistently eating grass or by foreign objects. It can also be caused by chemical irritations or food allergies.

Diagnosis of chronic gastritis: Blood samples may reveal an increase level of eosinophils, which is a type of white blood cell that is involved in the immune response to parasites and allergies. If a biopsy shows the presence of eosinophils in the wall of the stomach, a diagnoses of eosinophilic gastritis is made.

Treatment includes metoclopramide which is an anti-emetics. This will hinder continued vomiting. Fluid therapy and corticosteroids are used in cases of eosinophilic gastritis. Anti-ulcer drugs such as cimetidine and ranitidine, and protectors of the mucous linking of the stomach such as sucralfate and misoprostol are also used to cure the problem.

Ulcers

Drugs are the most common cause of stomach ulcers in dogs. These are corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs). Stress and severe sickness can also cause ulcers. Dogs who suffer from ulcers will vomit intermittently, they will lose weight and will appear unhappy (as the dogs owner, you will easily notice this). The vomit could show fresh or old blood and the dogs stools may be black (melaenic) from blood originating in the stomach or duodenum.

Another albeit unusual cause of stomach ulcers comes in the form of the presence of mast cell tumors on the skin. These tumors release large quantities of histamine, which in turn triggers hydrochloric acid release in the stomach. Any dog with several mast cell tumors should be assumed to be at risk from stomach and duodenal ulcers.

The most accurate way to diagnose the presence of ulcers in the stomach is through the use of a gastroscopy. Contrast X-rays and ultrasound can also be used but are not as accurate.

The cause of the ulcer meeds to be eradicated. Severe anaemia may occur due to blood loss and can be treated with a blood replacement and a combination of drugs to protect the mucous lining of the stomach and to enhance tissue repair. Medication will continue until further gastroscopy's show that all ulcers have healed.

Dogs are more sensitive to the ulcer inducing capacity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), than humans are. Therefore it is important to only give NSAIDs to dogs which are meant for canines. Do not give dogs people NSAIDs.

Obstructions

Dogs sometimes eat things which are not edible. These can cause obstructions in the dogs digestive system. Tumors and scarring can also cause obstructions around the pyloric canal (where food moves from the stomach into the duodenum). The affected dogs will vomit, lose weight and often appear uncomfortable.

Contrast X-rays will probably show little sign or even no emptying of stomach contents into the duodenum. Ultrasound tests may show an enlarged, fluid filled stomach and a gastroscopy will reveal the exact cause of any obstruction. Surgery will usually be required to remove an obstruction like this.

Motility Disorders

The contents of the stomach may enter the intestines too quickly or too slowly. Delayed emptying is a common cause of vomiting and loss of appetite.

When the exact cause of delayed emptying is unknown, dogs are treated according to the sign which they show of this problem. Metroclopramide will help stop the vomiting, while cisapride will stimulate the emptying of the stomach.

Stomach Problems Which Cause Dog Vomiting

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs