What To Expect at Your Veterinarian Visit for Your Dog’s Vomiting
Vomiting is common in dogs and can be caused by many illnesses and conditions. Some of these include:
- Eating something that upsets their stomach, like trash or non-digestible objects
- Internal parasites
- Inflammation
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Pancreatitis
- Constipation
- Bowel blockage
- Endocrine diseases such as diabetes
- Organ dysfunction
- Motion sickness
- Heat illness
- Neurological disorders
- Pain
With all these potential causes, your vet will likely need to do a medical exam and review your pet’s medical history to help determine the cause of the vomiting. They might ask you questions about how long your dog has been vomiting, what your dog has eaten, and how your pet is feeling other than the vomiting.
During the physical exam, your veterinarian may listen to your dog’s heart and lungs, and carefully examine their abdomen and rectum, as signs such as a bloated, painful stomach could provide clues about the source of the vomiting.
If your dog seems healthy other than the vomiting, even if they cannot pinpoint the actual cause, your vet might recommend short-term dietary changes until the vomiting has stopped. However, if the vomiting persists, your pet has other symptoms, or your vet is concerned about underlying conditions, they might order some screening tests to determine the cause of the vomiting.
Screening Tests for Vomiting in Dogs
Your veterinarian might order several tests to determine the cause of vomiting in your dog.
These could include:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Serum Biochemistry Profile
- Urinalysis
- Testing for Internal Parasites
- X-rays and Ultrasound
- Dietary Allergy Testing
- Endoscopy
- Exploratory Surgery
- Biopsy
Be sure to seek veterinarian advice before beginning any treatment and follow their recommendations to help manage your dog’s symptoms.