Vital Pet Health

The advice that follows is designed to be after care once your dog has been seen by a vet and is under veterinary treatment.

Causes

Both vomiting and diarrhoea can be common in dogs. They can develop the problems from infections, leftovers or scavenging. The temptation to give leftovers is a common cause, avoid where possible as this can initiate serious problems such as pancreatitis, which is an inflamed digestive gland.

Prevent your dog scavenging by ensure your rubbish is tied / closed away. If you are on a walk and he has a tendency to exhibit this behaviour then controlling the situation using a muzzle and lead will help. Avoid allowing him to eat bones. The tiny fragments cause bowel irritation causing gastrointestinal upsets and blockages.

For Puppy’s always consult your vet if they are vomiting or have diarrhoea.


Vomiting

In most cases vomiting means an upset tummy, yet it may also be a sign of other illnesses. If your dog vomits frequently and seems weak and lethargic, contact your vet. Likewise if your dog vomits for more than one day then he needs to be taken to the veterinary clinic.

For adult dogs that are lively and keen to eat follow these steps:

• Do not let them drink too much. This can lead to further vomiting, resulting in your dog being dehydrated. Boil water, allow it to cool to room temperature and offer to the dog little and often.
• Wait 12 hours since the last vomiting to offer food. When you do only use small amounts of white meat (boiled chicken / boiled cod) and white rice.
• Offer small amounts every 2 hours for the first day, increasing the food quantity over the next couple of days. If all seems well, start to mix in the usual food diet.

Diarrhoea

After an episode of diarrhoea allow your dog access to water yet do not feed him for 12 hours. introduce bland foods as outlined above in teh same manner as vomiting. If the diarrhoea continues for more than 1 to 2 days (depending on severity) consult your vet.