Why is My Dog Throwing up?

Why is My Dog Throwing Up-min
August 22, 2022

When your dog throws up, it can easily cause concern for dog parents. It is out of the ordinary and rightfully causes panic. But not all dog vomit is cause for concern. It could just be that your canine companion is hungry. It is important to know the different types of dog vomit and how to act accordingly.If you find yourself Googling "why does my dog keep throwing up?", this guide will help provide answers and inform your next actions.

Reasons your Dog is Throwing Up

Of course, it is always best to consult your vet. But knowing the basics is never a bad thing.First, it is important to determine if your dog is truly vomiting or if it is just regurgitating. Vomiting is usually identified as the forceful ejection of their stomach and upper intestinal contents – in other words, your dog will experience abdominal heaving. It will contain partially digested food or yellow bile, which indicates your dog may be hungry. Vomit will usually smell sour. If it is regurgitation, it is more of a mild ejection of undigested food, will not involve heaving, and tends to happen following eating.Vomiting can be an indicator of a more serious health issue such as: kidney or liver disease, middle ear problem, tumor, infection (fungal, viral, or bacterial), or meningitis. Aside from these, here are possible reasons you have a vomiting dog:

  • Bloating
  • Hunger
  • Reaction to spoiled food
  • Consuming toxic grass
  • Ate too fast
  • Motion sickness
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Parvovirus
  • Allergic reaction
  • Ulcers
  • Gastritis

The reasons for vomiting will be different for all dogs depending on age, breed, and typical behaviors. Chronic, ongoing vomiting is more cause for concern compared to one-time, acute vomiting that happens suddenly. Ongoing throwing up can mean a larger problem is taking place in your dog. There can be endless internal and external causes that lead to your dog throwing up. Thus, there are many types of dog vomit. Below are the different types of dog vomit and what they typically mean.

Types of Dog Vomit

  • Brown vomit: Regurgitation
  • Yellow vomit: Empty stomach
  • White, foamy vomit: Stomach acid buildup
  • Clear, liquid vomit: Water buildup
  • Mucus-y vomit: Drool
  • Bloody vomit: Can indicate a tumor, ulcer or other fatal condition if not treated
  • Green vomit: Grass
  • Worms in vomit: Infection

What to Do if Your Dog Is Throwing Up

If your dog ingested fertilizer or another toxic substance, call pet poison control as soon as you can.Vomiting does not always mean an animal emergency. But it should be a cause for concern. Knowing the different types of vomit and reasons for throwing up can help inform your next steps. If you notice your dog's vomit is bloody or contains worms, head to your nearest pet emergency center. Many centers, such as Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists, will offer 24-hour on-call services.Contact us at Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists today.

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