Has My Dog Been Sick?

 

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Summary: In this blog, we look into the difference between sick and regurgitation in dogs. Discover how to recognise the difference between vomit and regurgitation, what causes your dog to bring up their food, and when you need to seek medical help...

 

Did you know that vomiting is one of the top reasons we pet parents take our fur babies to the vet? With everything that our dogs love to eat (from eggshells to other animal’s poop), it’s no wonder vomiting is one of the most popular reasons for a trip to the vet!

Vomiting is your pup’s way of removing something from their stomach that they deem as a potential threat/illness - just the same as us humans. And, let’s face it, when we have a pooch that gobbles up their food too fast or gets their head in the trash, it’s no surprise our pups bring up the contents of their stomach every now and then...

It’s actually quite common for dogs to bring up their food or water once in a while, however, it might surprise you to know that there’s an extremely high chance that your dog hasn’t vomited at all…

That’s right, sometimes your dog could actually be regurgitating instead!

Vomit or Regurgitation?

So, to start, you need to know that there is a difference between regurgitation and vomiting…

Regurgitation In Dogs

Regurgitation is usually a passive process, often happening suddenly without any retching, discomfort, or stress. Typically occurring shortly after a meal or drinking, a key sign that your dog has regurgitated rather than vomited is the food will be undigested – sometimes looking just as it did before your dog ate it. And, just to make things worse, your dog may try to gobble it back up again... yuck! 

What Causes Regurgitation in Dogs? 

There are a number of reasons your dog may have regurgitated. And, it turns out that some breeds are actually more susceptible to ‘regurge’ than others. This can be due to a common condition called Megaesophagus (ME), where the oesophagus becomes enlarged and unable to move food properly. These include:

• Great Danes
• German Shepherds
• Miniature Schnauzers (hereditary)
• Labrador Retrievers
• Irish Setters
• Newfoundland
• Wire Haired Fox Terriers (hereditary)

Other causes of regurge can include oesophagal abnormalities, eating too fast, or a foreign body in the oesophagus.

Vomiting In Dogs

Vomiting in dogs can be a very forceful action. Unlike regurgitation, vomiting is when your pup ejects the contents of their stomach or the upper part of their intestines. This will often be partially digested food, a foreign object, or something in their stomach that their body deems as a danger.

When your dog is sick, they may also retch, lick their lips and drool before they bring the contents of their stomach up.

What Causes Vomiting in Dogs?

Just like us, there isn't one specific reason your dog has vomited. These can include:

• Motion sickness
• Eating something toxic
• Food intolerance to a new food
• An underlying medical condition
• Heatstroke
• Parasites
• Overeating
• Eating too fast

When To Visit The Vet

If it's the first time your dog has been sick or regurgitated, then it might not be anything to worry about, so a trip to the vet isn't necessary...

However, if you notice your dog has started to regurgitate their food regularly or they have vomited more than once in a short space of them, there could be something else going on that your vet will need to investigate.

Take your pup to the vet if you notice:

• Blood in their vomit or stools
• The vomiting continues for a 24-hour period
• They start to lose weight
• They're warm/have a temperature
• They're having seizures
• They keep retching
• They're in a lot of discomfort

Vomiting or regurgitating with any of the symptoms above, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible as they could indicate something more sinister going on that needs to be addressed.

Final Thoughts

So, the best way to tell the difference between vomiting and regurgitation is to pay attention to the timing and appearance of the expelled material. Vomiting is usually accompanied by discomfort or nausea, and the material expelled is partially digested. Regurgitation, on the other hand, is often painless and the material expelled is undigested.

While some cases may be minor and resolve on their own, persistent vomiting or regurgitation can be a sign of a more serious underlying issue and may require treatment. Seek help from your veterinarian if you're worried, as they will be able to determine the cause and recommend the appropriate course of action.

Sources

Author Park, Grace, “Regurgitation in Dogs”, Wag!, Dec 22 2021 https://wagwalking.com/condition/regurgitation 

Author Dr. Turner, Beth, “Is Your Pet Vomiting or Regurgitating?” Preventive Vet, Dec 09 2022 https://www.preventivevet.com/pets/pet-vomit-vs-regurgitation