Vomiting

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Vomiting is not a disease, but a symptom of a variety of potential problems. It is the most common nonspecific symptom pets experience. It may be associated with a chronic disease, intake of unwanted substances, overeating, over excitement, or any number of things. Pinpointing the cause of your pet’s vomiting will help your veterinarian treat them appropriately. Dogs tend to vomit more readily than most other domesticated animals because the vomiting center in their brain is very well developed.

Vomiting is often confused with regurgitation, which is the spitting up of undigested food without effort or retching. Actual vomiting is when the contents is expelled from the stomach along with gastric fluid. The muscles of the stomach contract while the muscles in the esophagus relax, allowing the stomach contents to be expelled.

The most common cause of vomiting is the ingestion of indigestible substances. In cats, this is most commonly hair from self-grooming. In dogs, vomiting from intake of grass and "people" food are extremely common. Vomiting can quickly cause your pet to become dehydrated and lose electrolytes. In young pets, vomiting can be an emergency situation requiring immediate attention by your veterinarian.

Acute vomiting

Vomiting that lasts up multiple days with no other symptoms is usually due to a disturbance in the digestive tract. Cats that vomit for more than one day should be taken to the veterinarian immediately, as they get dehydrated very rapidly. Dogs may vomit for up to three or four days and still be responsive to home treatment.

Chronic vomiting

Long term vomiting or vomiting more than 1-2 times a day will need to be addressed as soon as possible.

Vomit containing blood

Vomiting with blood or digested blood resembling coffee grounds is a sign of bleeding somewhere along the digestive tract. This could indicate a stomach or intestinal ulcer, a foreign body, or a gastric tumor. Further examination by your vet will be necessary to determine the cause. The diagnostic process will usually involve a physical exam and an x-ray or ultrasound.

Induced vomiting

In some cases where your pet may have ingested a poison, vomiting may need to be induced to remove the toxin. This should only be done on otherwise healthy individuals by your veterinarian. By inducing vomiting, your veterinarian is able to remove about 80% of your pet’s stomach contents.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

To determine what is causing your pet’s discomfort and vomiting, your veterinarian will likely perform some of the following tests depending on your pet’s symptoms:

• CBC/Chemistry Panel - These blood tests will evaluate various internal organ functions, including the heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, metabolism, and electrolyte balance. The CBC (complete blood count) is a measure the amount and different kinds of red and white blood cells are present in the body.
  
  
• Radiographs - This may show abnormalities of the esophagus or stomach. It may be necessary to give barium to help identify any blockages, tumors, ulcers, foreign bodies, etc.
  

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Increased salivation
• Repeated swallowing
• Extension of neck
• Gagging or retching noises
• Attention seeking behavior
  

TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT

For acute vomiting in a healthy adult with no other symptoms, you may be able to treat at home. Keep in mind that if vomiting persists or worsens during treatment, you should go to veterinarian immediately. Withholding food and water intake for a minimum of 12 hours can slow down the digestive tract and give the stomach a rest (if  your pet has a kidney condition or is dehydrated from their illness, these fluids will need to be replaced by injecting them under the skin by your veterinarian).

If the vomiting stops, introduce water in the form of a few ice chips every 3-4 hours and monitor your pet. If your pet still has not vomited, you may offer very small amounts of water for them to drink. A pediatric electrolyte solution may be mixed in to replenish electrolytes. If after 24 hours no vomiting has occurred, begin offering small amounts of a bland, easily digestible food and slowly introduce normal amounts of food.

PREVENTION & HELPFUL TIPS

You may prevent vomiting by:

• Keeping all potential poisons locked away from where pets can reach them
• Feeding your pet a healthy diet not containing table scraps
• If you are traveling with your pet, do not feed them immediately beforehand
• Take your pet to the veterinarian regularly for a check-up to detect underlying conditions early
  
  

Vomiting is an emergency situation when:

• Home treatment has not slowed or stopped vomiting
• Your pet appears depressed or lethargic
• Diarrhea is present along with the vomiting
• Blood or mucous is present in the vomited material
• Your pet refuses to eat or drink
  
  

You should contact your veterinarian immediately in these cases to prevent worsening of the condition.

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