Your dog has likely vomited every now and then. Sometimes, the reason is simple such as when your dog makes a poor choice about what to eat. However, if your dog vomits excessively, they may have a severe or life-threatening issue that requires immediate veterinary care. Distinguishing between the two can be difficult. Read our East Wind Animal Hospital team’s guide to understand why dogs vomit, recognize when you should be concerned, and know what you can do to help.

Dog vomiting versus regurgitation versus reverse sneezing

Before discussing vomiting’s causes, we will explain how you can distinguish between dog vomiting and regurgitation, sometimes referred to as retching. When dogs vomit, they forcefully expel their stomach and small intestine contents, bringing up food and fluid. Before vomiting, dogs typically display nausea signs such as drooling, lip licking, repeated swallowing, and abdominal contractions.

Regurgitation, by contrast, is a passive action similar to a burp. Usually, regurgitation is accompanied by coughing and difficulty breathing and often occurs right after eating or drinking. If your large, deep-chested dog, such as a mastiff, Great Dane, Doberman pinscher, Saint Bernard, Irish setter, or Weimaraner, is retching without bringing anything up, they may have gastric dilation volvulus (GDV)—bloat—a life-threatening condition. In this situation, immediate veterinary treatment is necessary to save your dog’s life. 

If you’re not familiar with reverse sneezing, it may appear problematic. During a reverse sneeze, pets pull back to inhale through their nose, which can sound like gagging. This action is a reflexive response to irritation at the back of the throat. Like regular sneezing, reverse sneezing is usually nothing to worry about unless it happens frequently. If it does, a visit to the vet is necessary to determine the cause. 

Conditions that can cause dogs to vomit 

Usually, a dog who vomits once and goes on to have regular bowel movements and a normal appetite recovers just fine without veterinary intervention. However, our team strongly recommends that your dog be evaluated by our veterinarian or your nearest veterinary emergency hospital if their vomiting is chronic or is accompanied by other illness signs. Chronic vomiting in dogs may be caused by:

  • Infectious diseases
  • Food allergies
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Metabolic diseases such as kidney or liver failure, pancreatitis, Addison’s disease, or diabetes
  • Cancer

Acute vomiting, along with other symptoms, may be caused by the following: 

  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Intestinal parasites
  • Parvovirus
  • Kidney or liver failure
  • Toxic substance ingestion
  • Addison’s disease
  • Pancreatitis

Dog vomiting diagnostics and treatment

Because so many problems can cause a dog to vomit, our East Wind Animal Hospital team’s veterinarian must conduct several simple tests to determine a diagnosis. A diagnosis is vital to ensure that we can treat your dog’s exact vomiting cause effectively. Tests may include: 

  • Blood work
  • Urinalysis and specific gravity
  • Radiographs
  • Fecal analysis

An ultrasound scan may be recommended to evaluate your dog’s internal organs. In addition, if your dog is vomiting persistently, we may recommend further testing with an internal medicine specialist to check for pancreatitis or Addison’s disease. An internal medicine specialist may perform an endoscopy to collect diagnostic biopsies.

Typical intestinal inflammation—gastroenteritis—treatments involve dietary restrictions, a bland diet, and anti-nausea medication. Serious conditions often require more intensive therapy such as hospitalization, fluid administration, injectable medications, blood or plasma transfusions, and surgery. If your dog has ingested a toxic substance, early diagnosis and treatment could save their life. 

When to seek veterinary care for your vomiting dog

If your dog has been vomiting, how do you know when to seek veterinary care? The decision to schedule a veterinary exam for your vomiting dog depends on your dog’s age, breed, and general health in addition to their additional signs. Puppies should always be seen if they vomit.

If your otherwise healthy adult dog has vomited once, you can try withholding food—but not water—for 12 hours and then feed a bland diet, such as plain white rice and unseasoned, boneless, skinless chicken, in small amounts for two days. Gradually work back to their normal diet. If you have questions about feeding your dog a bland diet, call our East Wind Animal Hospital team. 

Seek prompt veterinary attention if your dog vomits multiple times in one day or for more than one day. In addition, you should seek veterinary attention if your dog displays the following signs in addition to vomiting:

  • Appetite loss
  • Fever
  • Thirst and urination changes
  • Bloody vomit or stool
  • Excessive diarrhea
  • Extreme lethargy
  • Abdominal pain or back hunching
  • Weight loss
  • Pale or brick-red gums

Of course, you know your dog best, so if you’re worried about your furry pal, schedule an appointment with our veterinarian. Even if nothing is seriously wrong, ensuring your peace of mind is worthwhile. Avoid consulting “Dr. Google” since inaccurate and potentially harmful information is ubiquitous on the internet.  

Simple ways to help prevent your dog from vomiting

You can’t control every aspect of your dog’s health. However, you can take certain precautions to help prevent your dog from vomiting: 

  • Keep your dog away from trash cans and leftovers
  • Lock up toxic household items, gardening supplies, and garage chemicals
  • Feed your dog a balanced diet
  • Schedule your dog’s regular veterinary checkups

No matter the cause of your furry pal’s upset tummy, vomiting is never fun for them or you. Whether your dog’s vomiting is simply dietary indiscretion or a serious underlying condition sign, being proactive about seeking veterinary care is essential. By recognizing your dog’s potential illness signs and knowing when to seek professional help, you can ensure that your furry companion receives the appropriate care and attention they need to stay healthy and happy. If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, consult our East Wind Animal Hospital team for personalized advice and guidance.