Dog vomiting: when to see a vet

Is it serious if my dog vomits once?

A single vomit in a dog that stays bright is often minor, but watch closely and call your vet if the vomiting returns or other signs appear. PDSA explains that most cases of vomiting are mild, but vomiting can also have much more serious causes. Contact your vet if your dog keeps vomiting, does not seem right after 24 hours, or gets worse at any point. The Cornell Riney Canine Health Center warns that vomiting should be taken seriously, because unresolved vomiting can upset electrolyte balance and cause life-threatening dehydration. Occasional vomiting, such as after eating grass, may be a one-off, but Cornell notes that vomiting even once a week may indicate disease. If in doubt, phone your vet.

Evidence: PDSA — Vomiting in dogs ↗ · Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center — Vomiting ↗

What is the difference between vomiting, regurgitation and retching?

Vomiting is when a nauseous dog heaves and brings up stomach contents; regurgitation is food coming up without effort; retching is heaving without bringing anything up. PDSA explains that a nauseous dog often refuses food, licks its lips, swallows repeatedly, drools, and is restless or pacing. Regurgitation usually happens soon after eating and, as a one-off, may simply mean the dog ate too fast. However, Cornell notes that regurgitation comes without warning and may point to a problem with the oesophagus; PDSA mentions conditions such as megaoesophagus and reflux, which are more common in flat-faced breeds. A single retch is usually nothing to worry about, but continuous retching can be a sign of GDV.

Evidence: PDSA — Vomiting in dogs ↗ · Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center — Vomiting ↗

What makes dogs vomit?

Dogs can vomit because of stomach inflammation, eating something harmful, a blockage from a swallowed object, worms, travel sickness or more serious disease. PDSA also lists parvovirus, pancreatitis, food allergies, womb infection (pyometra), medication side effects, liver and kidney disease, diabetes, and GDV. According to PDSA, objects that often block the gut include bones, rubber toys, stones, socks and underwear, and harmful substances include medicines, cleaning products, poisonous plants, chocolate, grapes and onions. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that young, large-breed dogs are more likely to have a blockage from a swallowed object, and that vomit may contain grass, bile, froth, fresh blood, or digested blood that looks like coffee grounds.

Evidence: PDSA — Vomiting in dogs ↗ · PDSA — My dog has eaten something harmful ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (dog owner version) — Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines in Dogs ↗

When should a vomiting dog see a vet urgently?

Take your dog to a vet straight away if vomiting is continuous or bloody, or comes with bloody diarrhoea, lethargy, a painful belly, disorientation, collapse or dehydration. PDSA explains that blood in vomit can be red, black or brown, or look like coffee grounds if partly digested. Cornell advises calling your vet for lethargy, vomiting lasting over 24 hours, a painful belly or fever. Dehydration signs include sticky gums and sunken eyes; the AKC treats dehydration signs or persistent vomiting as an emergency. PDSA also advises contacting a vet if diarrhoea without blood lasts more than two to three days. If your dog may have swallowed something harmful, contact your vet at once for an emergency appointment.

Evidence: PDSA — Vomiting in dogs ↗ · Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center — Vomiting ↗ · American Kennel Club — Dehydration in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments ↗ · PDSA — My dog has eaten something harmful ↗

What is GDV (bloat) in dogs?

GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus) is an emergency in which a dog's stomach fills with gas, fluid or food and then twists. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center explains that the twist cuts off the stomach's blood supply and presses on major blood vessels, damaging tissue and affecting the whole body. Signs include trying to vomit without bringing anything up, heavy drooling, a bloated belly, and restlessness or pacing. GDV can happen in dogs of any size, but it is far more common in large, deep-chested dogs such as Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Weimaraners and Dobermans. Without medical and surgical treatment, GDV is fatal. PDSA stresses that a dog that keeps retching, especially with a bloated belly, must see a vet immediately.

Evidence: Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center — Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) or 'bloat' ↗ · PDSA — Vomiting in dogs ↗

Why should a vomiting puppy be checked quickly?

A vomiting puppy needs checking quickly because vomiting can be a sign of parvovirus, a disease that is nearly always fatal without treatment. PDSA explains that parvo is especially dangerous for unvaccinated dogs and puppies under six months old, causing vomiting, severe foul-smelling and often bloody diarrhoea, lethargy and loss of appetite. The virus spreads in faeces and can be carried on shoes, toys and bowls. In Denpasar, a Universitas Udayana study found that dogs with incomplete vaccination were about 10 times more likely to get parvo, and puppies aged 0–3 months about 3 times more likely. PDSA calls vaccination the best way to prevent parvovirus.

Evidence: PDSA — Parvovirus in dogs ↗ · Jurnal Veteriner (Universitas Udayana) — Prevalensi dan Faktor Risiko Penyakit Virus Parvo pada Anjing di Denpasar ↗

What should you do before taking a vomiting dog to the vet?

Phone your vet, note the signs, and do not try to make your dog vomit or give medicines yourself. PDSA stresses that you should never try to make your dog vomit unless your vet specifically tells you to. PDSA also lists medicines among substances that are harmful to dogs, so do not give human medicines without your vet's advice. Note when the vomiting started, how often it happens, what the vomit looks like and what your dog last ate. The Merck Veterinary Manual advises telling the vet about your dog's eating habits and any access to string, yarn, fabric, sewing needles or similar objects.

In Indonesia, dogs can be examined at veterinary clinics. Some local governments also offer services for dogs, such as the Batam city puskeswan, the East Kalimantan livestock and animal health office's animal clinic in Samarinda, and the Jakarta Dinas KPKP mobile animal clinics, which offer examination and treatment for dogs. Check the services and opening hours of your nearest facility before you go, and save your vet's phone number before an emergency happens.

Evidence: PDSA — My dog has eaten something harmful ↗ · PDSA — Vomiting in dogs ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (dog owner version) — Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines in Dogs ↗ · Puskeswan Kota Batam — Layanan ↗ · Dinas Peternakan dan Kesehatan Hewan Provinsi Kalimantan Timur — Klinik Hewan ↗ · Dinas KPKP Provinsi DKI Jakarta — Dinas KPKP DKI Jakarta Luncurkan 5 Unit Mobil Klinik Hewan Keliling ↗

Sources & references

1. PDSA — Vomiting in dogs ↗
2. Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center — Vomiting ↗
3. PDSA — My dog has eaten something harmful ↗
4. Merck Veterinary Manual (dog owner version) — Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines in Dogs ↗
5. American Kennel Club — Dehydration in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments ↗
6. Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center — Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) or 'bloat' ↗
7. PDSA — Parvovirus in dogs ↗
8. Jurnal Veteriner (Universitas Udayana) — Prevalensi dan Faktor Risiko Penyakit Virus Parvo pada Anjing di Denpasar ↗
9. Puskeswan Kota Batam — Layanan ↗
10. Dinas Peternakan dan Kesehatan Hewan Provinsi Kalimantan Timur — Klinik Hewan ↗
11. Dinas KPKP Provinsi DKI Jakarta — Dinas KPKP DKI Jakarta Luncurkan 5 Unit Mobil Klinik Hewan Keliling ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.

Keep exploring

Something needs correcting? Send a correction.