Canine Vomiting

What causes vomiting?

Vomiting is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of many different conditions. Many cases are self-limiting after a day or two. The most common minor causes are stomach or intestinal viruses, intestinal parasites, and dietary indiscretion — raiding the garbage, gulping food too fast, or sampling something irritating on a walk.

Less commonly, vomiting results from a serious illness: a swallowed toy or bone blocking the intestine, pancreatitis, kidney or liver disease, or cancer. Even vomiting from a mild illness can turn dangerous if fluid and nutrient losses go unchecked.

How do I know how serious it is?

Severity depends on how sick the dog has become as a consequence of the vomiting, not just on the vomiting itself.

Usually manageable	See us promptly
One or two episodes, then back to normal	Vomiting repeatedly, or for more than 24 hours
Bright, alert, drinking water	Lethargic, feverish, or refusing water
Appetite returns within a day	No interest in food; diarrhea alongside
No blood in the vomit	Blood in vomit, or retching with nothing coming up
Belly soft and comfortable	Abdominal pain, bloated or hard belly

Unproductive retching is an emergency. A dog trying to vomit with nothing coming up — especially a large or deep-chested breed with a swollen belly — may have bloat (GDV), which is immediately life-threatening.

What tests are performed to find the cause?

If vomiting comes with several of the warning signs above, we may recommend a workup: X-rays (with or without barium), blood tests, stool testing, ultrasound, and in some cases intestinal biopsies or exploratory surgery. Once the diagnosis is known, treatment may include specific medications, a special diet, or surgery — a swallowed object, for instance, often needs to come out.

If your dog does not appear systemically ill, the cause is likely minor. A minimal number of tests rule out parasites and infection, and treatment is typically anti-nausea medication plus a bland, restricted diet for a few days while the body's own healing mechanisms correct the problem.

What can I do at home?

For a mild case, rest the stomach: no food for a few hours, then small amounts of a bland diet offered every few hours, with water always available in small, frequent portions. Skip treats and table food until stools and appetite are back to normal, then transition back to the regular diet gradually.

We expect improvement within two to four days. If it doesn't come — or if any warning sign from the table appears — call us rather than waiting it out.

See Feline Vomiting