Do not wait

  • Swollen belly with repeated retching and nothing coming up: possible gastric torsion (bloat), fatal within hours in large deep-chested breeds
  • Blood, black material or coffee grounds in the vomit
  • More than three vomits in 24 hours, or continuous retching
  • Lethargy, weakness, pale or blue gums
  • Possible ingestion of chocolate, grapes, xylitol, rat bait, bones, toys or socks
  • Puppies (parvovirus risk, especially if not fully vaccinated) and elderly dogs
  • Bloody diarrhoea as well

Safe to watch at home

One vomit, bright, drinking, no other signs:

  1. Withhold food for 6 to 12 hours (no more than 6 for puppies and toy breeds); offer small amounts of water often.
  2. Then small bland meals (boiled chicken and rice, or a gastrointestinal diet) split into three or four feeds.
  3. Return to the normal diet gradually over two days.
  4. Come in if vomiting returns, diarrhoea starts or the dog stops eating.

Never give human anti-nausea or pain medication.

Common causes

  • Scavenging: rubbish, human food, grass
  • Eating too fast or a sudden diet change
  • Gastroenteritis, parasites, parvovirus
  • Obstruction: socks, toys, corn cobs, fruit stones
  • Pancreatitis: often after fatty food; belly pain, hunched posture
  • Poisoning
  • Kidney, liver, adrenal disease or diabetes in older dogs, with increased thirst or weight loss
  • Car sickness

At the visit

  1. Abdominal palpation, temperature, checks for dehydration and shock.
  2. Blood tests: pancreas, liver, kidneys, electrolytes, glucose; rapid parvovirus test for puppies.
  3. X-ray and ultrasound for foreign bodies, torsion, pancreatitis and masses.
  4. Treatment: anti-nausea injection, fluids, pain relief; immediate surgery for obstruction or torsion.

Prevention

  • Lidded bins; a muzzle or short lead on walks for scavengers
  • Slow-feeder bowl; switch diets over 7 days
  • No fatty leftovers or bones
  • Feed large dogs two or three smaller meals and avoid hard exercise for an hour after eating