Vomiting is a symptom and not a diagnosis. There may be several reasons your pet is vomiting. Even if the cause is minor, prolonged vomiting can create serious health complications. Not all causes can be diagnosed easily. We use your pet’s history, life-style, physical exam findings, and diagnostics tests to rule-out conditions. Below are common causes of vomiting:

Stress

Parasites

Food

Bacteria or Virus

Inflammatory Disease

Foreign Object Ingestion

Toxin

Organ Disease

Vomiting is concerning especially if your pet is not feeling well, acting uncomfortable, or ingested something he/she shouldn’t have. Some minor cases of vomiting may improve with rest and limiting food with no need for medical treatment. Other cases of vomiting are considered an emergency.

Early intervention of any illness is always the best course of action. Neighborhood Vet is a walk-in clinic to allow your pet to be assessed as early as possible. Here are general guidelines for when to take your vomiting pet to the vet:

-Vomiting is lasting over 24 hours or is multiple times in a single day

-Your pet is panting, pacing, lethargic, weak, or painful

-Known exposure to toxin or foreign object

-History of organ disease such as pancreatitis, kidney disease, or liver disease

-Blood in Vomit

-Vomiting and Diarrhea

-Your pet is young or a senior

-You are concerned or worried about your pet

Don’t Panic

No one enjoys seeing a sick animal or cleaning up the mess. Seeing your pet vomit does cause worry, which it should. However, try to stay calm to reduce the stress of your pet. Sometimes our pets are scared after vomiting and can sense our stress which makes everything worse. Staying calm can always help you assess the situation. What does the vomit look like? Is anything chewed up? Has this happened before?

Don’t Force Feed

The worst thing to do for a stomach that is irritated is to force food or water. Making your pet eat before the digestive tract is ready or if your pet is nauseous can make vomiting worse.

Don’t Start Home Remedies

We understand you want your pet to feel better, but starting at home treatment such as Pedialyte or Pepto or using internet treatment causes more harm and can add unnecessary costs. At home treatment delays veterinary care and some over the counter medications can be toxic to pets. If you think your pet needs treatment, let our team help.

There is not one test or treatment for vomiting. After a history and physical exam assessment, our veterinarian can advise a treatment plan.

Testing can include blood count, blood chemistry, electrolyte measurement, specific organ blood tests, urinalysis, and parasite screening. Referral for imaging may be needed for chronic or severe illness.

Treatment can include injectable anti-nausea or anti-acid medications, fluid therapy, antibiotics, and therapeutic diets.