That our dog vomits or has diarrhea at a specific moment should not alarm us, it will have to do it when one of the two or both circumstances occurs more than two or three times. It is surely the reason for gastroenteritis (among other diseases) and we will have to go to the vet urgently.
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and small intestine caused by protozoa, viruses or harmful bacteria that causes diarrhea and vomiting in animals, which will be accompanied by loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dizziness, indigestion and sometimes bloody stools.
It is a common pathology that not only dogs suffer from, but also other mammals, such as humans. It is common in areas with poor hygiene, since this factor plays a significant role in the spread of the disease. It is spread by another dog or in the environment.
The causes of our animal vomiting are:
– Alterations in the function of the digestive tract (narrowing, obstructions …).
– Metabolic disorders (ingestion of poisons, toxins, infections, uremia …).
– Alterations of the structures of the digestive tract (gastritis, gastroenteritis, ulcers …).
Vomiting is usually caused when these alterations mentioned affect the esophagus, stomach and small intestine mainly.
If the symptom is diarrheal, we must say that it can appear as a companion to mild problems or serious pathologies.
Food also has a great influence in this case. The ingredients of the diet must be able to be digested, absorbed and used by the animal. Many of the leftovers that we add to our dog’s commercial food cannot be digested even by our stomachs … Giving these products to the animal translates into obvious gastrointestinal effects: vomiting, diarrhea or a more than annoying combination of both.
Preventive treatment. It will consist of using logic and avoiding by all means that the animal does not ingest inappropriate products.
The treatment if it is a punctual vomiting. If our puppy is vomiting (without diarrhea) we will leave him without eating for 24 to 48 hours and without drinking for 24 hours, but if the vomiting still does not stop, we will urgently go to the vet. If the vomiting disappears, we will begin to give him water and dietary food (little and distributed) for the next 3-5 days. If vomiting occurs again, we will go to the vet.
Treatment for diarrhea. Likewise, if there is only one diarrhea and the animal is “as if nothing”, we will remove the food and control the water intake (we will allow the animal to drink everything it needs, but few amounts in many doses). If the diarrhea is continuous or there are other symptoms accompanying them (vomiting, decay, fever) we will go immediately to the vet.
The veterinarian’s treatment. If after the 24-hour preventive fast the symptoms do not subside, the veterinarian (and not another person) will prescribe and administer the pharmacological, dietary or joint treatment according to the symptoms and causes: serum therapy, antiemetics, antibiotics, antacids, specific diets … .
In severe cases, the pet will need to be hospitalized for fluid therapy (hydration) and treatments to stop vomiting and eliminate the cause.
