Vomiting & Diarrhea

What to Do About Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs

If you are a pet parent, you may be concerned if you notice your pet experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. These can be scary in people and even more so in a dog who has no way of telling you what other symptoms they may be experiencing. There are a few things you should know.

What Causes Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs?

Gastroenteritis is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. This means stomach upset and it can come from several different causes. It can be as simple a simple virus very similar to a stomach bug people get or could potentially be something more dangerous, such as cancer or organ failure. While the latter part of that statement may make you worry, do not panic just because you see these signs in your pet. Rather there are a few other things you will want to look for. There are some signs that can indicate that the situation is much worse than a simple virus. These include:

• Foreign material in their vomit, such as sticks, parts of dog toys or other items that could indicate that they have something stuck in their stomach
• The tar like poop which can indicate internal bleeding
• Poop that has the consistency of mucus as this can indicate an issue in the colon
• Limping as this can indicate that there is more than just stomach upset going on with your pet.

Visiting the Vet

When you see any of the symptoms above or notice other symptoms you may think are related, make an appointment with your vet in Summerfield. They will be able to examine your pet and run tests as needed to determine the prognosis and how to treat your pet. Sometimes this can be an easy fix, such as a short term medication.

Or it could be a more serious condition. However, the best way to make sure your pet has a full and healthy recovery is to not wait to seek treatment. Also, if their vomiting and diarrhea is extended for several days, even if there are no other symptoms, it is a good idea to take them to the vet just to be checked out. The Animal Hospital at Lake Brandt can help.

If you are ever in doubt about whether you should make an appointment, give your vet a call at (336) 252-2208 and they will be able to answer your questions.