Clinical Signs

Our first priority will be to determine how ill the dog has become as a result of the vomiting. If the vomiting has led to more serious problems, you may see diarrhea, dehydration, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, high fever, depression, or bloody vomiting.

Causes

Next, we'll examine the cause of the vomiting (systemic cause vs. gastrointestinal tract). Many cases of vomiting are self-limiting and the cause is never determined. Less commonly, vomiting results from a serious illness. Even when vomiting is caused by mild illness, it may lead to death if your pet is not treated early enough to prevent severe fluid and electrolyte losses.

Diagnosis

If vomiting is associated with several of the above signs, a series of tests may be performed to assist in diagnosis. Tests may include radiography (x-rays) with or without barium, blood tests, biopsies of the stomach and intestinal tract, ultrasound studies, and exploratory abdominal surgery. Once the diagnosis is known, treatment may include special medications, diet, and/or surgery.

Treatment

In some cases, such as a sudden onset of vomiting, the cause is self-limiting and only supportive care is needed: fluid and electrolyte supplementation, medication for nausea, and/or limiting oral intake of food and water. In more serious or protracted cases of vomiting, the animal may need to be admitted to the hospital for intravenous administration of fluids, antibiotics, medication for nausea, and observation. It is important to prevent dehydration from developing while additional diagnostics or treatments are underway.

Prognosis

The prognosis is dependent upon identification and treatment of the underlying cause for the vomiting. In some instances, the problem will be self-limiting or caused by a treatable disease. In other cases, vomiting is a sign of a more serious underlying disorder. For the less serious cases, we expect improvement within 2-4 days. If improvement is not seen or the dog continues to deteriorate, please call Valley View immediately at (952) 432-9661 to set up an appointment.