Regurgitation or vomiting of undigested foods in dogs necessitates immediate attention from the pet owner and, in some cases, by a veterinarian. The owner should examine any food contents that are thrown up, in addition to determining whether the animal has experienced diarrhea. The episode could be nothing more than the aftermath of spicy treats. Or, loose stools along with coughing up whole foods could be a sign of a more serious ailment.
-
Distress Signal
-
Dogs regurgitate undigested food and liquids quickly and without warning. They may make slight "burp" sounds as food particles are forced back through their throats along with a film of mucous. This is nature's way of expelling foreign substances that dogs are notorious for ingesting, such as inanimate objects, plants or anything contaminated with chemicals or bacteria. If something unusual is coughed up, it most likely is the root cause of the retching.
Visual Exam
-
When a dog regurgitates or vomits, an owner should check his dog's anal area for indications of diarrhea, parasites or swellings. The dog owner also should gently run her hand back and forth across her animal's abdomen to examine for any tenderness or swelling that could mean an obstruction or stomach distress. She should check the mouth for indications that her dog has swallowed something. Cloth, rope and string are especially dangerous to dogs.
Preserving Evidence
-
Regurgitation usually occurs right after a dog has eaten, so the animal will attempt to devour whatever has been heaved from his system. A dog owner should clear the mess quickly to prevent this, as well as to preserve a sample for the vet if a visit is warranted.
Possible Causes
-
A dog that throws up whole food could be experiencing a serious abdominal obstruction. When both diarrhea and vomiting are present, the dog may be reacting to analgesics such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) or Aspirin; this requires an emergency trip to the vet's office. Addison's disease, which affects the dog's adrenal glands, also can be indicated when both vomiting and diarrhea are present. At the same time, Rover could simply be getting over a cough or experiencing intestinal gas. The owner can administer a small amount of Pepto-Bismol if the dog shows no further signs of illness an hour after regurgitating.
Vet Visit
-
The vet needs a thorough description of the animal's symptoms. Pet owners have to be careful not to use the words "regurgitation" and "vomiting" interchangeably. Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine defines regurgitation as coming form the esophagus and vomiting as coming from the stomach or upper intestine.
The vet needs to know whether undigested or partially digested food was involved and if there was diarrhea. An accurate description leads to the right diagnosis.
-