Vomiting And Diarrhea |

Dogs puke just like humans do if they’re overcome with nausea and acute indigestion.

If your dog swallows a solid object, it often vomits it back up. If the object is small enough it may pass through the dog’s intestinal system and be released in its feces. If the object is too large or it has sharp edges, you should plan on an emergency visit to the vet for x-rays.

If your dog has eaten leaves or berries from a bush you’re unfamiliar with, it’s important you know whether the plant is poisonous or not. The easiest way to check for poisonous plants is to call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

If a dog eats table scraps that are high in fat content it can easily end up having intestinal distress. A dog’s digestive system was not designed to digest rich, fatty foods like humans eat. These types of food are often not healthy for us, let alone for our dogs. If your dog begins vomiting soon after scarfing down something from your table, it’s a clear indication that you need to avoid giving it any type of food you normally eat.

A dog may also puke because it’s allergic to certain foods. If you recently started your dog on a new diet and the vomiting began shortly thereafter, you might try mixing half of its old food with half of the new food and watch closely for changes in behavior or lingering illness. It’s possible that an intolerance or aversion to ingredients in the new food may be causing the vomiting. If you suspect this may be the cause, you can continue changing the ratio of old food to the new food to see if the vomiting goes away.

If your dog sometimes pukes due to any of the following, it will require a visit to the vet for diagnosis and treatment:
(1) Infection with parasites, viruses or bacteria can cause gastrointestinal infections also known as viral gastroenteritis. Diarrhea and vomiting are the most obvious symptoms. Many different types of bacteria and parasites can also cause GI infections and diarrhea but most of these are not serious and will go away on their own after a few days; however, others can be serious.

(2) Ulcers can be caused by anti-inflammatory medications prescribed for skin conditions, arthritis, or other chronic health problems. Pain relief medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen inhibit a hormone-like substance that acts as a protection for a dog’s stomach lining. Prolonged use of these medications can cause severe stomach ulcers in dogs. Another less common cause of canine stomach ulcers is a mast cell cancer in the dog’s skin. Mast cell cancers release histamine which leads to stomach ulcers.

(3) Kidney Failure early signs are increased water consumption and increased urine output. Signs of more advanced kidney failure include loss of appetite, depression, vomiting and diarrhea.

(4) Cancers signs that warrant a visit to your veterinarian include any new lump or bump; a change in size, shape, or consistency of an existing lump; a runny nose, especially if bloody; difficulty urinating or bloody urine; limping or a change in gait; foul breath and lethargy.

(5) Inflammatory bowel disease causes are unknown. Genetics, nutrition, infectious agents, and abnormalities of the immune system may all play a role. The most common signs of inflammatory bowel disease in dogs are vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. Vomiting is more common when the stomach or upper portion of the small intestine are affected and diarrhea is more common when the colon is involved. There is an increase in the frequency of defecation, but less stool is produced each time. There is often increased mucous or some blood in the stool. Sometimes stools become loose. Many times the diarrhea and vomiting may be irregular.

(6) Liver disease early signs include chronic intermittent vomiting and diarrhea. Vomiting is more common than diarrhea, loss of appetite, or weight loss. Drinking and urinating more often than normal may be the first signs, and a key reason for visiting the vet.

If your dog pukes repeatedly and the cause is not readily apparent, you should schedule an exam with your vet. Your pet’s health and life may depend upon it.

Toxic asbestos exposure can cause deadly mesothelioma, a cancer of the mesothelium or the lining of the major organs. Though more commonly associated with people, asbestos exposure has been linked to mesothelioma in household pets.

Asbestos exposure can have equally damaging health consequences as it does in people, regardless of whether it is from firsthand or secondhand exposure. Firsthand exposure occurs when physical asbestos particles are present in an environment consistently inhabited by people or pets. Secondary exposure can happen when pet owners have asbestos fibers on their clothing or skin from a different, contaminated location, and transfer the particles to their animal when they come home.

It should be noted that spontaneous mesothelioma, developing without asbestos exposure, is rare in pets.

The level of asbestos exposure for pets does not have to be chronic nor consistent to become damaging. If pets are exposed to other types of toxins, including herbicides or germicides, then there can be an increase in the likelihood mesothelioma development.

Incubation, development and presentation periods are quicker in pets, from months to a couple of years. Symptoms of mesothelioma cancer are similar to people, including nausea, difficultly breathing, dog pain, coughing, loss of weight or appetite.

Vomiting and Diarrhea
One of the more common symptoms of developing mesothelioma in pets is vomiting and diarrhea. Depending on the type of mesothelioma, pressure on the stomach lining and esophagus can make keeping food down a challenge. Pressure on the esophagus may also cause difficulty swallowing and immediate vomiting.

Diarrhea may also result from food not properly processing in the stomach or increased pressure on the entire gastrointestinal tract. The important indicator of a serious underlying issue is regular or persistent presentation of any symptom.

In people, however, nausea is a common symptom of mesothelioma, though it is hard to determine whether your pet is experiencing nausea. Though nausea may present in a lack of appetite or fussy eating, it should not be dismissed as a potential symptom. Though vomiting and diarrhea may be entirely benign, but if accompanied with any additional symptoms, this could be a sign of mesothelioma.

Weight Loss
Along with vomiting and diarrhea, your pets may not be getting enough food, nutrients or calories. This depletion may cause dramatic and risky weight loss. With weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea, your pet may also become dehydrated and suffer from vitamin depletion.

Difficulty Breathing
It may be hard to tell whether your pet is having difficulty breathing, but one of the surefire signs is repetitive and constant coughing. This is a sign of your pet struggling to breathe, possibly due to increased pressure of the expanding mesothelioma on the esophagus or lungs.

“Hot Spots”
One of the indicators of a potential mesothelioma cancer is finding lumps or “hot spots.” These areas on your pet are extremely sensitive and hard, and are usually found by petting. Reactions to these spots can help determine what underlying illness or other medical issue is occurring, and can indicate a mesothelioma presentation.

Many lumps are benign, and can be a simple fatty tumor. However, if the lumps change in shape, size, sensitivity or if more lumps appear, this could indicate mesothelioma. Hot spots can also be a sign of internal discomfort, stemming from difficulty breathing, swallowing or increased pressure on the gastrointestinal tract.
If you notice any or all of these symptoms in your pet, seek immediate veterinarian care.

Reference
The Merck Veterinary Manual. Mechanisms of Action, Indications, and Toxicities of Selected Antineoplastic Agents. Accessed January 20, 2011. (http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/servlet/CVMHighLight?file=htm/bc/tphm58.htm&word=mesothelioma)

Handicapped Pets. Mesothelioma in Dogs and Other Pets. Accessed on January 20, 2011. (http://www.handicappedpets.com/Articles/mesothelioma.html)