What's causing your dog to vomit?

A visibly sick pooch is a heart-wrenching sight for any pet owner. When you’re worried about your dog vomiting, calling your veterinarian for advice is always the best bet. But what questions should you be ready to answer?

A dog vomiting has been the cause of many an emergency visit to veterinarians over the years. Although vomiting might not necessarily be caused by a passing illness, sometimes it's the symptom of a potentially dangerous malady. That's why it's important to pay close attention to your pet’s behaviour. It might tell you whether it' a sign of something potentially life-threatening.

Is the animal lethargic? Has he lost weight or lost his appetite? Is he sleeping too much? Has he lost interest in his usual activities? These are hints that something more serious could be wrong.

• On the other hand, if the dog only throws up once or twice and then resumes his usual activities with his usual energy level, then it may be nothing serious.
• If you have any lingering doubts, call a veterinarian to get advice.

It could be that your dog loves his new food so much that he ate far too quickly and threw it right back up.

• If you see unchewed pieces of food in the vomit, Fido’s gluttony might be the culprit.

To encourage your dog eat more slowly:

• Give him smaller portions, more frequently.
• Instead of two cups of food twice a day, opt for four meals of one cup throughout the day.
• Scatter the usual portion on a flat surface, such as a cookie sheet, instead of putting it in the dog’s usual bowl. This will force him to work a bit harder and take smaller bites of food.

Occasionally, dog vomiting is a sign of more serious health issues.

• Certain breeds are susceptible to digestive problems and regurgitate bile after eating food that does not agree with them.
• Sometimes, going a while without food can give your dog gas. This can cause it to vomit bile.
• As with humans, dogs can have emotional reactions that affect their appetites. If your dog has lost his appetite, it could be a sign of stress, anxiety, or allergy.
• Gastritis is an irritation of the stomach lining and can be either acute or chronic. Acute gastritis is usually caused by a virus goes away after a couple of days. Chronic gastritis comes about when your dog has swallowed something indigestible.
• Tapeworms or an ulcer can also make a dog vomit.
• An infection in the dog’s liver could also trigger vomiting.

Consult with your local veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog’s vomiting or if your pet has shown a loss of appetite for 24 hours or more.

• If your dog vomits repeatedly, talk to the veterinarian immediately or better yet, take your pet to the nearest emergency vet clinic for treatment to ensure the condition does not worsen.