Vomiting – it’s a yucky subject, but one that needs to be addressed.
There are quite a few reasons why pets vomit. Diseases such as pancreatitus, kidney or liver failure, Addison’s Disease, inner ear problems, hyperthyroidism in cats, ulcers, canine distemper or parvovirus, feline panleukopenia are some. Toxins and foreign objects can be the culprits as well. With stomach torsion, your pet will attempt to vomit, but nothing comes up. Blockages can induce vomiting with little or no output.
First thing to check is whether your pet is actually vomiting or regurgitating. Vomiting is when the contents of the stomach and upper intestine are expelled. Regurgitation is when the contents of the esophagus are brought up.
Healthy pets may vomit at times. A fast followed by bland meals of chicken and rice for a couple of days, gradually adding regular food, usually helps.
If vomiting or regurgitation occurs once in a while, such as when eating grass, it’s best to watch your pet’s behavior. If vomiting continues, your pet should be seen by your veterinarian.
Be prepared for questions your vet will ask. If possible, bring a sample of the vomit. Your vet will ask what the contents look like, if there is blood present. Have handy a list of any medications your pet is taking. Have you changed your pet’s diet recently? Do you know if your pet has ingested something he shouldn’t have? Is there anything unusual abut your pet’s behavior? These are some of the questions your vet will ask.
Your vet will do a physical examination to see if that can determine the cause of vomiting. Further tests may be necessary including xrays and an ultrasound.
If your pet tries but has difficulty vomiting or is vomiting excessively, don’t wait, see your veterinarian immediately. It could be a matter of saving your pet’s life.
