Dog vomiting is a symptom that may point to different conditions, typically not very severe. However, when the dog is vomiting blood, the condition may be severe. Vomiting blood is a condition that is also known as hematemesis.
Causes of Vomiting Blood
When the dog vomits blood, the blood will be accompanied by food residue. The blood may be fresh (having a bright red color) or coagulated, case in which it will have a darker color. Some common caused of dog vomiting blood include:
- Hemophilia, which is a genetic blood clotting disorder that may cause bleeding in the intestinal tract
- Stomach ulcers that will cause bleeding
- Esophagus ulcers
- Duodenum ulcers
- Tumors in the gastrointestinal tract; if the tumors bleed, the blood may be thrown up
- Foreign bodies stuck in the esophagus, stomach or duodenum, which can harm these and cause bleeding
- Drugs that cause stomach irritation or bleeding
- The ingestion of bones or bone splinters which harm the lining of the esophagus or the stomach
- Blood ingested after a mouth bleeding, nose bleeding or the licking of bleeding skin
- Blood in the lungs
Other Symptoms to Watch For
For a proper diagnosis of your pet, you need to observe a few additional symptoms that your dog may display.
You should see if the dog throws up fresh blood or the blood is already coagulated.
Other possible symptoms that your dog may display include the lack of appetite, diarrhea, blood in the stool (fresh or black, tarry coagulated blood), abdominal pain, pale gums, shallow and rapid breathing.
If the dog loses a significant amount of blood, he will show signs of weakness and may collapse or enter coma.
The dog may also bleed from other parts of the body.
Diagnosing Dog Vomiting Blood
Hematemesis may indicate a serious illness, so the dog needs immediate attention. The vet will determine the cause of the blood vomiting after performing a few tests. A complete blood count is important. The blood clotting will also be tested. In addition, the vet will perform x-rays and radiographs to determine if there are tumors or foreign objects in the dog’s system.
Other tests that may be performed are endoscopy for the stomach, esophagus or intestines or ultrasounds for the stomach region.
Treatment Options
The treatment of the dog that is vomiting blood will depend on the findings of the vet.
Typically, the vet will need to supervise the dog and perform all the needed tests. Until getting conclusive results, the dog should receive only intravenous fluids and no food or drinks, to avoid the aggravation of the dog’s condition.
If the bleeding is severe, the dog will receive blood transfusions. The vet will recommend a few drugs to manage the dog’s condition.
If the dog has stomach ulcer, he will have to get a special diet. Foreign objects will be removed, surgically if otherwise not possible.
If the dog has tumors, these will have to be surgically removed if possible and chemotherapy should be started.