Vomiting and diarrhoea are very common in dogs. The most common cause of a gastrointestinal upset, vomiting and diarrhoea is scavenging or eating something your dog shouldn’t have done that disagrees with him or her and causes a ‘tummy upset’. However, there are many other causes of both and a large number of different dog diseases where vomiting and / or diarrhoea can occur. In a lot of cases the problem can be successfully treated and resolved without actually establishing the cause, but sometimes, if the diarrhoea or vomiting is serious or ongoing for a long period of time your vet might decide that the case needs to be investigated further. This might be needed both in order to treat the sickness and/or diarrhoea successfully and to ensure it is not associated with another underlying disease that has not been diagnosed. Browse top brand dog products here >So, what is diarrhoea? And what is vomiting? Diarrhoea, or loose poo, occurs when the large intestine, which usually absorbs water from the gut, stops working properly. This results in the faeces containing much more fluid than normal ie: diarrhoea. You might notice your dog going to the toilet more often, having accidents in the house, or straining a lot. Alternatively, they be going no more frequently, but when they do there is loose – or sometimes explosive – diarrhoea, or the poo may have blood or mucus in it. Vomiting involves the contents of the stomach being brought up, out of the mouth. This is often self-protection by your body as it attempts to remove something that doesn’t ‘agree’ with it and could be harmful or toxic. Any food brought up will usually be digested and it might be mixed with yellow bile or stomach juices. Your dog may also wretch or bring up large amounts of saliva. What can cause vomiting and diarrhoea? There are many causes, including infections caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites, diet changes or scavenging, and eating poisons or toxic chemicals. If your dog is very excited, anxious or stressed they may also have sickness or diarrhoea. Finally, more serious conditions such as a blockage in the gut, damage to a body organ, or other diseases affecting elsewhere in the body can also have effects on the digestive system can cause your dog to vomit or have diarrhoea. Should I be worried? Most cases of diarrhoea or vomiting tend to be short, lasting up to 2 days, or perhaps slightly longer. They will often clear up on their own, so you may well not need to visit a vet. Instead, you should feed a bland diet to your dog little and often (such as boiled chicken, boiled white fish, and rice) or you might choose to starve them for 24 hours first before starting this. Ensure there is plenty of fresh water available. It may well also help to use a product to thicken up the poo and reduce the diarrhoea, such as Protexin Prokolin or Canikur Pro-Paste. However, if you feel worried consider a vet visit sooner rather than later. Concerning signs include if your dog is ill, dehydrated or painful, there is fresh blood in the vomit or diarrhoea, or it is tarry (indicating digested blood). If the sickness and/or diarrhoea has continued for more than 2 days, it would also be advisable to see a vet. What might my vet do? And what treatments might they give? Your vet may feel it is important to investigate and try to establish a cause of the sickness or diarrhoea, in which case investigations may include a blood test or imaging such as X-rays and ultrasound scans (for example, to see if there is something stuck in the gut). Sometimes, samples of your dog’s diarrhoea may be taken to examine, particularly if there is a suspicion of an infectious cause. Browse top brand dog products here >
Vomiting and Diarrhea: Can It Wait Until Morning? No pet parents want to face this situation… You get home from work, ready to have dinner and then relax. But, as soon as you open the door to your home, you notice there’s a funny smell. Upon a little searching, you realize your furry best friend had an upset tummy, and has vomited or had diarrhea while you were out. And, your pal seems to be feeling down, with less energy than usual. Your regular vet is already closed. So, do you take your pet in to an emergency or urgent care veterinarian, or do you wait until morning? Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this question. And there’s no “one size fits all” answer that will be correct for every pet. Instead, the answer depends on a number of different factors. Signs that your dog or cat needs to go to the vet right away Often, if a pet has vomiting or diarrhea, they may be feeling down compared to their normal selves—less energetic and less playful. They may also eat less, due to nausea or stomach pain, or inability to keep food down. Just like for humans, an upset stomach is no fun for your furkids. So, it’s expected that they’ll act different than usual. However, here are some signs that you’ll want to bring them to the vet sooner rather than later:
Of course, regardless of symptoms, it never hurts to be on the safe side—so when in doubt, it’s always best to seek veterinary advice. Even for non-serious cases of vomiting and diarrhea, the vet can often relieve your furry pal’s symptoms and help them feel better. That way, you’ll both sleep better that night. Why is my dog or cat throwing up, or having loose stool? Here are some of the most common reasons why your pet might have an upset stomach:
More dangerous causes of vomiting and diarrhea include:
How do veterinarians know if the vomiting and diarrhea are serious? If your pet is otherwise feeling well, there’s a good chance that they’re perfectly fine, albeit uncomfortable with an upset stomach. In all cases, the veterinary staff will ask you some questions about your pet’s history. For example, if they’re indoor or outdoor, what diet they normally eat, if they’ve eaten anything unusual recently, etc. The information you give will help them make a list of the most likely causes. Then, the veterinarian will perform a physical exam of your dog or cat. This tells them many important things about your pet, including whether they’re dehydrated, have a fever, or have a painful belly. They will also look for evidence of any underlying diseases causing the upset stomach. Since pets can’t tell us what’s wrong, your vet may also recommend routine diagnostic tests, which may include:
Normal test results bring good news and peace of mind. However, if there are any abnormal findings, your vet will explain them and partner with you to determine the next step. What will make my pet feel better? Your veterinarian will prescribe treatments, which may vary depending on exactly what would benefit your pet the most. Common treatments include:
Remember, don’t give your dog or cat human medications without checking with the vet first—many are toxic to pets, and there are safe alternatives available at your vet’s office. Also, be sure to follow up with your vet, as directed, if your buddy’s symptoms aren’t improving. |