What are the symptoms and causes of Vomiting?
The act of vomiting refers to the forceful ejection of food and fluids from the stomach through the mouth. It involves action by the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, and stimulation of the vomiting center in the brain.
Causes and Symptoms:
Vomiting may sometimes be due to a simple digestive upset, but that is generally of short duration and self limiting. A simple digestive upset involving vomiting may be due to a sudden change in the diet, or eating abnormal materials like grass, garbage and bones. Sometimes vomiting merely reflects a dislike for certain flavors. If a dog is given some bad-tasting medicine, he may throw it out just because he does not like its taste. Dogs are capable of vomiting in a voluntary manner. Occasionally vomiting could be due to motion sickness as in traveling by car or other means of transport. Overfeeding resulting in a loaded stomach is a common cause of vomiting.
Increased frequency of vomiting or vomiting accompanied by blood or other signs like severe depression, fever and abdominal pain often indicates a serious problem. Such a condition could be due to intestinal parasites or a systemic disease like canine distemper, hepatitis, parvo virus disease, corona virus infection, kidney disease, ingestion of toxic materials and several other conditions.
Vomiting may be preceded by retching and diminished or loss of appetite.
Treatment and Prevention:
If the vomiting appears to be due to a simple digestive upset or overloading of the stomach or even due to other causes- withhold food and water for 12 to 24 hours to give rest to the stomach. When there is no vomiting for sometime, electrolytes like Electral or such other preparations in water may be given in very small quantities at short intervals to avoid dehydration. In case there is vomiting soon after giving electrolytes, the interval should be increased and the dose decreased. However if there is no vomiting, the interval can be decreased and the dose increased. When preparations like Electral are not within reach, a pinch of salt and four teaspoons of sugar, mixed in 100 ml of water, should be given till proper electrolytes are available. Another alternative in an emergency is to give a few ice cubes to lick. Twenty-four hours after the vomiting stops, easily digestible bland food like rice should be offered in small quantities. If possible, a little chicken broth may be given as a source of protein. Cottage cheese is another food that can be given.
If the vomiting does not stop within twenty-four hours, veterinary assistance must be taken. If the vomit is mixed with blood, veterinary help should be sought immediately.