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Why is my dog vomiting?

See your veterinarian if your dog is vomiting.
See your veterinarian if your dog is vomiting.
Nicole Adams (Examiner)

Vomiting in dogs is not uncommon. Most dog guardians witness their pooch throwing up from time to time, or have mastered the quick footwork to keep their pooch from throwing up on the carpet. From eating something that did not agree with the stomach to swallowing poison, vomiting is a sign that something is amiss. The frequency, smell and look of the vomit can help determine the cause. If your dog is vomiting, please consult a veterinarian immediately.

Given the large number of reasons your furry loved one may be vomiting, pay close attention to the details to help your veterinarian determine the cause. Some things to consider are:

Did he vomit once or is he throwing up frequently?
Is he vomiting bile, food or blood?
Does the vomit smell particularly foul?
Is there a certain time of day she is throwing up?
What occurred right before she got sick?
Could she have gotten into something she shouldn't have?
How is his appetite?
Is he drinking water?
Have you noticed any other symptoms, such as diarrhea, excessive panting, drooling, pacing, or lethargy?
Is he trying to vomit but nothing is coming up?

Both Pet WebMD and Washington State University warn about noting the difference between regurgitation and vomiting. Regurgitation contains contents of the esophagus, while vomiting contains contents from the stomach. Vomiting is typically forceful in nature, often depicted by your dog heaving and retching beforehand. Regurgitation is similar to vomiting but less forceful in nature. Sometimes regurgitation is so effortless, it seems the food just falls out of the dog's mouth.

Some reasons your dog may be vomiting include:

Food allergy or intolerance
Bacterial infection
Intestinal parasites
Liver or kidney failure
Medication side effect
Foreign bodies
Motion sickness
Addison's Disease
Acid reflux

The causes of vomiting in dogs are extensive, so you should check with your veterinarian in case any further tests need to be done.

Fasting usually follows vomiting to give the stomach a chance to rest. Food is often withheld for 12 to 48 hours. Once the vomiting has subsided, treatment is typically a bland diet of boiled chicken or lean hamburger with rice, given in small amounts every few hours. An antiemetic may be prescribed by your veterinarian to help control your dog's vomiting. The doctor may also administer fluids if excessive vomiting has resulted in dehydration.

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