Is your dog prone to vomiting and diarrhea? Beware of acute gastroenteritis

Vomiting in dogs is a common symptom and can indicate a variety of illnesses or conditions. While in some cases, vomiting may simply be a minor gastrointestinal irritation or indigestion, in others, it can be a sign of a more serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Dog owners can often assess their dog's condition through observation and make informed decisions about their next steps. So, when does vomiting in a dog require immediate medical attention?

Dog vomiting

Requires continuous observation:

  1. Undigested food residue: If your dog's vomit is mainly undigested food, such as bloated feed, it may be caused by eating too fast, eating too much, or indigestion.
  2. White, transparent or foamy liquid: This is usually digestive fluid, mostly vomiting caused by stomach acid accumulation, most commonly in acute gastritis or stomach ulcer.

Regarding the duration and frequency of vomiting, if it lasts less than a day and is not frequent, it is considered a mild symptom. In this case, you can first reduce gastrointestinal irritation and add probiotics to food to help regulate gastrointestinal motility and promote a balanced and healthy intestinal flora. Observe for improvement. If the condition does not improve, it is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Situations that require immediate medical attention:

  1. Yellow-green bile: This means that the vomit contains bile, which is usually caused by fasting for too long or irregular eating.
  2. Blood: This may mean there is a risk of bleeding from a stomach ulcer, which is a more serious condition.

If the above two situations occur, it means that your pet may have gastroenteritis and should be taken to a veterinary clinic for examination immediately .

Dogs with gastroenteritis may also show the following other reactions

  1. Arched back posture: When a dog is experiencing abdominal pain, he may arch his back.
  2. Watery or mucus-like stools with an unusual fishy odor, and sometimes bloody stools.
  3. Straining during bowel movements but not producing much.
  4. Increased frequency of vomiting.
  5. Possible fever.

What should you do if you suspect your dog may have gastroenteritis?

In addition to the above-mentioned observations and diet, please go to a veterinary clinic immediately. Please follow the veterinarian's advice on timely medication and use appropriate prescription dry and wet food. The following is a general dietary focus during gastroenteritis:

  • Slow-feeding utensils help digestion: Dogs may eat too fast and fail to digest food properly. Parents of furry children can consider changing to slow-feeding utensils.
  • Eat small meals frequently: helps maintain digestive function
  • Use higher-calorie food: reduce the dog's food intake and reduce intestinal load.
  • Infusion of sugar and fluids: In order to prevent the dog from dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, you can supplement the dog with glucose and saline

Generally speaking, Royal Canin's GastroIntestinal food formula is suitable for acute gastroenteritis . GastroIntestinal dry and wet foods not only provide high calories and are easily digestible, but also contain prebiotics (which help maintain a healthy gastrointestinal flora) and essential fatty acids like EPA and DHA (which can reduce inflammation), promoting digestive health in dogs. However, please note that this is a veterinary prescription food, so please consult your veterinarian before using it.