Dog owners are being urged to take heed
A UK veterinary charity has told dog owners to familiarise themselves with its vomit colour guide – and to get urgent help if their pet is repeatedly retching but not bringing anything up, as it can signal an emergency.
The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) is a British charity that offers free veterinary treatment. Established in 1917 by founder Maria Dickin, it was created to care for ill or injured animals owned by people on low incomes. In its guidance for dog vomit, it explains this is a “common problem and it can be caused by many different things – some minor and some much more serious.
“Although most cases of vomiting in dogs are mild and simple to treat, it’s important to monitor for symptoms of a more serious problem developing and contact your vet straight away if you’re concerned.”
Dog vomit – what each colour means
In its colour chart, it notes that dog owners should look out for the following colour, as it may indicate that their dog needs to be taken to the vet sooner rather than later.
Contact your vet ASAP
- Lots of green liquid – A large amount of green liquid can be a symptom of a gut blockage – contact your vet immediately
- Fresh blood – Fresh blood is usually bright red – contact your vet immediately
- Coffee grounds – partially digested blood can look like coffee grounds – contact your vet immediately
- Foam/Froth – Foam within vomit is common, but if your dog is retching just foam/froth, contact your vet immediately
According to PetMD : “White, foamy vomit in dogs may be related to acid reflux but can also signal a serious condition.”
If your dog has vomited once and is otherwise well, you can monitor at home
- Foam/Froth – Foam within vomit is common, but if your dog is retching just foam/froth, contact your vet immediately
- Yellow bile – Bile from the gall bladder is usually yellow or greenish-yellow
- Undigested food – Check whether your dog is regurgitating (no retching) or vomiting
- Grass – Eating grass is normal for dogs so it might turn up in their vomit
How can I tell if my dog is not feeling well?
If your dog is feeling nauseous (sick), they will often show the following signs:
- Restlessness and pacing
- Dribbling
- Swallowing
- Lip licking
- Refusing food
Why is my dog being sick?
There are many different things that can cause vomiting in dogs, including:
- Vestibular disease (a problem with the balance system inside the ear)
- Parvovirus
- A gut blockage
- Food allergies
- Eating something harmful/poisonous
- Medication reaction/side effect
- Kidney disease
- Infected womb (pyometra)
- Addison’s disease
- Worms
- Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE)
- Travel sickness
- Liver disease
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Diabetes Gut ulcers (rare)
- Twisted stomach (GDV) – this is an emergency
- Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
- Gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and guts)
When should I take my dog to the vet?
If your dog is normally fit and well, has vomited just once, and is acting as usual, you might not need to go to the vet. However, monitor them closely and seek veterinary advice if they’re sick again, the vomiting carries on, or they start showing any of the symptoms below:
- Bloody diarrhoea
- Diarrhoea (without blood) lasting for more than two to three days
- Continuous vomiting
- A painful abdomen
- Disorientation or collapse
- Continuous retching and/or a bloated tummy – these can be symptoms of a GDV (twisted stomach), which is a life-threatening emergency
- Signs of dehydration (sticky gums and/or sunken eyes)
- Low energy (lethargy)
- Blood in their vomit
What should I do if my dog is trying to be sick but not producing anything?
PDSA stresses: “If your dog is continuously trying to be sick, but not producing anything (known as retching) you need to contact your vet immediately, especially if they also have a bloated stomach. Retching and/or bloat can be a sign of a GDV (gastric dilatation volvulus/twisted stomach), which is a life-threatening emergency.”
Should I try the ‘bland’ diet
Much like people, after vomiting, we tend to want our stomach to settle – and to avoid food or drink that might further irritate the stomach lining. PetMD also advises that a “bland diet can help soothe the digestive system and give the stomach time to recover.”
Common bland diet options include:
- Plain canned pumpkin (puree, not pie filling)
- Lean ground beef
- Plain yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Boiled chicken and rice
It adds: “These foods are typically easy to digest and can be offered in small, frequent portions as your dog recovers.”
If you are worried about your dog, always contact your vet and never wait.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.dailyrecord.co.uk
