Dog Upset Stomach - What To Give For Vomiting

Our pets cannot tell us what they feel in the way we share our pains and joys with other human beings. That’s why we often play doctors and start guessing what ails when they appear to be somewhat under the weather. Sometimes, a condition appears to be more severe and painful than it actually is because dogs exhibit similar symptoms for a variety of ailments.

If your dog (or some other pet) shows restlessness because of an upset stomach, there is a fair chance that he ate something he wasn’t supposed to. Dogs are no different than us humans when it comes to the onset of unexpected bellyaches. Many veterinarians are of the view that dogs should be given “dog digestive supplements” every day, to keep their stomachs in the best condition.

This article is for you if you have ever wondered: “What should I give to my dog for his upset stomach?”

Following is the rundown of some common causes and symptoms of upset stomach in dogs, along with possible treatment to keep your dog healthy.

What Upsets A Dog’s Stomach?

According to many sources, such as wondercide.com, there are a number of causes that can trigger a problem in a dog’s stomach. In most cases, an upset stomach is an indication of a much deeper and complex condition in dogs.

Some of the commonly-occurring dog digestive system issues and their remedies are given below:

Acid Reflux

It is a fairly common problem found in dogs, also known to be Gastroesophageal reflux disease. This condition is caused by stomach acid when it pushes past the barrier of the stomach and enters the esophageal canal.

Many times during an episode of acid reflux, it will seem as if your dog is about to throw up because of the gurgling sounds his stomach will make. Most of the time, actual regurgitation (the act of vomiting or throwing up) will happen because the stomach acids will be contained in the esophageal passage. In the absence of apparent symptoms of vomit, there will be other noticeable signals for stomachache and gastrointestinal distress.

When you suspect that your dog is facing acid reflux problem, trace some of the following symptoms to confirm the condition:

• Loss of body mass.
• Choking and difficulty in swallowing, during, and after meals.
• Random slimy vomit(not the actual vomit).
• Loss of hunger.
• Unusual drooling.
• Not being able to finish a full serving of the meal.

Doctors mostly prescribe antacids to ease off acid reflux, but it can be treated by changing dietary habits. Opting low acidity foods, serving smaller quantities periodically, and avoiding fatty food can help your dog in coping with this condition.

Treatment

According to Pet MD, one of the best things to give to a dog ailing with an upset stomach is bland food. Animal medicine practitioners and canine nutritionists suggest a bland diet that is similar to chicken and rice. It is easier for an upset stomach to break down a diet that consists of low-fat protein and grain with minimal sugar content. This will result in low-production o stomach acids because the stomach does not need much of that to digest this food. In turn, this will ease off acid reflux.

Indigestion

Indigestion is one of the most commonly found causes of an upset stomach. It is defined by any gastric distress brought up by the assimilation and digestion of food. In simple terms, it means that whatever your dog ate did not come in terms with his digestive system. Common symptoms of indigestion include heartburn and nausea, symptoms that are also related to acid reflux.

It is not easy to detect nausea in dogs, mostly it is characterized by vomiting and gagging. Severe nausea can be manifested in the form of diarrhea. Indigestion is also caused by the additional production of stomach acid which is used to breakdown food and commence digestion.

Indicators of Indigestion

It is common in the canine digestive system that the stomach acid is introduced too rapidly, which overwhelms the digestive system. In turn, the system tries to alleviate the quantity of acid by regurgitation, gas pain, bloating, and canine diarrhea.

What Are The Remedies For A Dog’s Upset Stomach?

The best remedy for dog indigestion complexities is the canine probiotic chews. Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt in the dog’s food will introduce healthy bacteria in his stomach. It will help in indigestion and other related issues. These probiotics are also extremely helpful in fighting off viruses and bacteria lurking around the gut of the dog’s digestive tract. They also aid in increasing brain functioning in mammals and sufficiently raising energy levels, combatting symptoms of an upset stomach like lethargy.

Gastritis

Gastritis indicates the inflammation of the stomach, so it location-based. This digestive condition is prevalent in the dogs that are brought on by foraging and consumption of food that is not suitable for growing canines. There are a number of symptoms that can trigger such involuntary stomach conditions like gastritis. The most common culprits for this issue are spoiled food, food allergies, food intolerance, a virus, etc.

Symptoms of Gastritis

It could be an isolated incident, but in most cases of dogs with upset stomachs, gastritis indicates the presence of some deeper digestive ailment. It includes bloating, gas, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Treatment

One of the most favorite remedies for gastritis among dog-lovers and vets is ginger and ice cubes. Ice cubes are a great way to settle upset stomachs in dogs because the cooling effects of ice will act as a natural anti-inflammatory. Also, ginger naturally has anti-inflammatory properties. According to Missing Link. periodic small doses of ginger act as a natural medication against inflammation and soothes the stomach from the adverse effects of bloating and gas pain.

Ulcers

It is obvious (and you have already noticed) that stomach acid is one of the common factors behind an upset stomach in dogs. Ulcers are the wounds of the stomach caused by excessive production of stomach acid that starts to digest the protective lining of the stomach. This is the worst-case scenario as the acid starts eating the walls, painful pores come in the form of small holes in the stomach tissues.

Causes of Ulcers

Unbridled medication and infections are some of the most common causes of ulcers. Other pre-existing digestive issues such as gastritis and acid reflux aggravates and makes them worse.

Symptoms of Ulcers

Two apparent symptoms of ulcers are bloody vomiting and hard dark stool in dogs. Still, many signs of ulcers are not visible in dogs, common visible phenomena are weight loss, indications of fatigue and lethargy, and an affinity to avoid food.

Treatment

Eating causes an increase in stomachache, as propounded by K9 of Mine, that’s why dogs suffering from ulcers are usually wary of eating food. In severe cases, ulcers are merely mitigated and never fully healed, but in most cases, there is a timeline of six to eight weeks based on the damage and medication. Although your dog will be prescribed by antibiotics to heal the wounds and painkillers to dull the pain, eating will still be painful.

Dogs who suffer from ulcers are often recommended canned pumpkin because of the low-glycemic properties of pumpkin. It won’t aggravate the abscess and its flavor will be proved to be irresistible by the dog.

Viruses & Parasites

The way we humans catch bacterial and viral diseases by exposing ourselves to microscopic crawlers, your dog can also harbor disease-causing viruses and pathogens of its own. Among the lot, viruses are more responsible for ailments related to canines. Also, there is the potential inside that aggravates stomach related issues. In the same way, parasites reside in your dog’s intestinal tract like intruders. Both can cause drastic changes in the nature and functioning of the stomach.

How Do Dogs Catch Viruses & Parasites?

Fecal matter is the home of viruses and parasites. If you suspect that your dog has caught some viral or parasitical disease, there are chances that it has ingested contaminated feces. There are other instances where dogs catch these microbes but generally, your dog needs to take contaminated substance orally to catch the adverse effects.

How Do These Viruses & Parasites Affect The Stomach?

Parvovirus is one of the most commonly-founded virus among the dogs. Vets often recommend that the dogs need to be vaccinated regularly to curb the proliferation of the diseases. The real danger lies in the ability of Parvovirus to attack the small intestines of a healthy dog. It can enter the bloodstream of the dog, and from there, attack bone marrow, white blood cells, and then the vital organs such as the heart and lungs.

Worms are common culprits behind the ailments in dogs. They live in the intestines and feed off nutritious food that your dog needs to absorb and digest. This leads to an upset stomach because worms deprive your dog of essential nutrients, apparent in the shape of weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, fever, etc.

Symptoms & Treatment

Dog’s stool will be the ultimate sign of what is going on inside his guts, both in case of worms and Parvovirus. Rush to the veterinarian as soon as possible if you detect bloody diarrhea in your dog, it is because bloody stool is the sign of nascent Parvo. Still, it is easily treatable when detected in the earlier stage. Yet, vaccination is the best method to keep your dog from the claws of such a dangerous illness.

The same way, worms can be seen in your dog’s stool but if you cannot see them, the vet can suggest bringing a sample for lab analysis. Worms are also treatable without any hassle. Generally, antibiotics are given orally for a week or injected through a shot.

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