Severe Vomiting in Dogs

It is likely that you'll witness your pet dog vomit several times throughout his life, as such an act is relatively common; severe vomiting, on the other hand, is usually a sign that there is something the matter. The first thing that you'll need to be able to do is to distinguish between a case of severe vomiting and one in which your pet is simply responding to a food that he ate immediately prior. Read on for a list of symptoms of severe vomiting and a few ideas of what these issues could be tied to in terms of health conditions.

Symptoms of Severe Vomiting

Severe vomiting is not regularly defined in any set way by veterinarian's, but it typically includes one or more of the following characteristics which help to distinguish it from standard vomiting:

  • Repeated episodes in a brief span of time (three or more)
  • Regular vomiting for several days or more
  • Blood, mucous or other abnormal fluids in the vomit
  • Vomiting accompanied by hacking, coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • Loss of weight and appetite

If your dog vomits regularly, or if his vomiting seems to be particularly forced or painful, or if there are any unusual fluids in the vomit itself, these are all potential warning signs that there's something seriously the matter. Take them to heart and respond quickly.

What to Do When Your Dog Vomits

Your initial response to when your dog vomits should be to get him to a safe and comfortable place. Make sure that he does not have the opportunity to eat anything else for the time being, and work to relax him and to get him to lie down. After cleaning up the vomit, you'll then need to evaluate your options. If the vomiting is severe and has been present before, make a note of all of the symptoms as listed above and call a veterinarian immediately. You can also take your pet to a vet right away in order to have an examination. If it's the first instance of vomiting, make a note of the situation and consider waiting to see if it was an acute, one time event.

Potential Causes of Severe Vomiting

Unfortunately for your diagnosis, vomiting is one of the most common responses for a dog's body to have whenever any system is in jeopardy. The most common cause of vomiting is indigestion or something that your pet ate that didn't sit well with his system.

However, severe vomiting can be a sign of many different things, including:

  • cancers
  • intestinal conditions
  • food allergies
  • parasites

Therefore, it's always important for you to take note of any other symptoms that your dog may be displaying when you take him to the veterinarian for an examination.

Speak with a vet for additional information about how to diagnose and to treat your pet's severe vomiting. Prompt action is necessary to be sure that your dog gets all of the help he needs.

 

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