When to take a vomiting dog to the vet

Although some dogs throw up periodically after they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t, throwing up can be a sign of a bigger problem. Here are 10 signs that you may need to take your dog to the veterinarian when it’s sick to its stomach.*Weight loss: Even in a dog that’s overweight, sudden weight loss accompanied by vomiting means that your dog needs to go to the vet as soon as possible. Losing weight quickly and unexpectedly can mean that your dog has a serious health condition.Lethargy or sleepiness: If your dog is vomiting and has no interest in playing, take him to the vet as soon as possible. Most of the time, dogs will vomit and then go back to normal fairly quickly. If they don’t, that’s a strong clue that there’s a reason for their vomiting beyond eating something that didn’t agree with them. Your vet will be able to run the right tests to find out what is bothering your dog.Vomiting and diarrhea: Vomiting combined with diarrhea not only can dehydrate your dog quickly but also can be an indication of a serious bacterial or viral infection. In young puppies, older dogs, and in dogs with weakened immune systems, these infections can be deadly. Take your dog to the vet immediately if you notice this combination of symptoms.Bloated or swollen stomach: A bloated belly can indicate many problems, a number of which are serious conditions that can hurt your dog. Only a vet can figure out what’s causing a bloated stomach and can treat it.Worms: Sometimes you may notice that your dog is scooting his bottom on the carpet and is throwing up, even if not at the same time. If you notice these two things happening, take your dog to the vet to be treated for possible worms. Medications are available to help your dog get rid of the worms, but you need to get them from your vet.Blood in the vomit: Blood in your dog’s vomit is a sign that there’s bleeding somewhere in your dog’s gastrointestinal system — the path from your dog’s mouth to his bottom. This is a serious condition that means your dog needs to go to the vet immediately.Disinterest in food: Giving your dog a limited diet after it’s thrown up is wise, but you should be concerned if more than 24 hours pass between vomiting and eating. Dogs normally want to eat after they’ve vomited, even to the point of sometimes eating the vomit. When your dog loses interest in food, that’s an indication that there’s more wrong than just a slight upset stomach.Vomiting more than usual: Dogs typically vomit once or twice when they’ve eaten something that doesn’t agree with them or when they’ve eaten grass to make themselves throw up. If you notice that your dog is vomiting more than that or is vomiting more than usual, take it to the vet as soon as possible. You need to find out why your dog is vomiting, and your vet is the best person to do this.Is trying to throw up, but nothing’s coming up: If you dog is trying to throw up but nothing is coming out — what humans may call “dry heavesâ€‌ — this is a sign that your dog needs to go to the vet immediately. In dogs, this can indicate a serious condition where its stomach has flipped. This requires immediate surgery or else the dog will die.Any other sign of illness: When in doubt, take your dog to the vet. Because dogs don’t throw up or vomit as much as cats, frequent vomiting and other signs of illness can indicate that something is seriously wrong with your dog.Remember to always call your vet if you’re concerned about your dog. You know your dog better than anyone, so be cautious and have it checked by your vet if something seems wrong.* Note that there is a difference between vomiting and regurgitation. A dog might regurgitate its food if it eats too fast or if something is wrong with its esophagus or stomach. Usually, the food comes up whole and undigested (although if there is a blockage in the outflow of the stomach, it may vomit digested food). Generally, regurgitation occurs within 30 minutes of eating; vomiting can occur up to 24 hours after eating.

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