Understanding how to address the issue and when to seek veterinary help is crucial, say M. G. Jayathangaraj, Prem Kumar, Saranya Paidi,Sebastin Raju and R.K. Swain.
Dogs usually have a healthy appetite. However, it becomes quite challenging to feed them when they become ill, as they have reduced appetite and upset stomachs and might not eat the food they usually like. Feeding a sick dog, especially the pet dog with a decreased appetite with or without vomiting can be a really stressful event to any pet owner. To deal with key symptoms like vomiting, one may ask the vet about an over-the-counter stomach and diarrhea related feeding. But, it is a bland diet which can help address some of these symptoms while also giving the affected dogs the nutrition they need to recover.
Vomiting is caused by multiple etiological factors, as quoted below:
a)- Ingestion of irritating substances (i.e., garbage or chocolate)
b)- Toxins or poisons / Pancreatitis
c)- Kidney failure / Liver failure
d)- Diet change / Intestinal parasites
e)- Viral infection / Medication reaction
f)- Bloat / Bacterial infection
g)- Heatstroke /Allergy
What to do with dogs with vomiting, for feeding?
a)- One (or) two times of vomiting can be ignored.
b)- Sometimes, dogs may consume some grass materials and vomit; this need not be given more clinical value and one can ignore this too.
c)- If your pet dog is vomiting and unable to keep food down, you can try missing one meal, although still allow access to water. Then, offer small amounts of a white meat diet such as boiled chicken or boiled fish, with white rice.
d)- Pet dogs will frequently vomit, especially after they overeat. It’s best to feed your furry friends soft dry dog food after they have had an upset stomach.
e)- Avoid spices added to food as well as irritant foods to canines with vomiting-incidences.
f)- If your pup was on a special diet because of stomach upset, you could consider adding a probiotic supplement to their meals.
g)- Cooked white rice is lower in nutritional value than brown rice, but it’s blandness makes it more suitable for upset stomachs.
h)- For a vomiting dog, one should avoid feeding of oils, butter, and added seasonings due to the reason that these things often can irritate the stomach of your pet dog’s stomach, to a great extent and thus can make the problem even worse.
i)- It appears better to stick with the provision of plain boiled chicken and rice. It becomes significant to make sure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly and cut (or) shred it into small, bite-sized pieces for the pet dog, since enthusiastic dogs might get choked on this new or unexpected food.
j)- As quoted in American Kennel Club note, shredded chicken is easy on upset stomachs and acts as a huge eating incentive for dogs with decreased appetites.
k)- It is noteworthy to quote that the plain, unseasoned, boiled, shredded chicken gets easily digested, without much problems and additionally, it has essential vitamins, minerals, fats, and amino acids, thus making it a great snack for dogs that get gastric upsets, in terms of vomiting.
l)- The cooked chicken shall be kept in the fridge for three to four days (or) one can freeze it for two to six months.
m)- Baby food, especially stage II meat based baby foods like chicken / lamb / turkey etc. is very easy to swallow and digest and is a great way to give oral medications but better to avoid any food with more onions.
n)- When the dog becomes nauseous, the dog may not feel like eating at all. However, making the dog drink by frequently taking the affected dog to the watering place (or) waterer and thereby keeping the dog to stay hydrated is crucial, especially if you have been vomiting or have a fever. Water is always a good source of hydration.
0)- Make the animal eat little food but frequently for provision of energy as well as hydration.
p)- Avoid Fried foods, full-fat dairy items and spicy foods If there is continuous vomiting coupled with increased dullness in the pet dog, the veterinarian needs to be consulted in order to prevent the severe pathologic changes in the body of your pet dog due to the intense vomiting.
q)- If possible, make the dog eat the dry foods, such as toast, dry cereals, (or) bread sticks, every few hours during the day. They provide nutrients and help settle the stomach of the pet animals.
r)- One should differentiate vomiting (an active process) from regurgitation (a passive process), since the causes for these vary, in general.
s)- Egg white shall be given intermittently (2-3 times / day) which may help soothe the inflammation of the esophagus / gastric tract of the dog with a history of vomiting.
t)- For emergency-based oral rehydration, 6 parts of sugar and half part of salt in water (to dissolve them) shall be given, intermittently.
u)- Fluid therapy in the patient with vomiting and diarrhea is essential to correct hypovolemia, dehydration, acidbase imbalance, and serum electrolyte abnormalities.
v)- Consult a veterinarian if your dog has continuous vomiting, vomiting with concurrent fever, extreme dullness and chronic vomiting, bloody vomiting.
About the authors:
M.G.Jayathangaraj is Professor, Veterinary Clinical Complex, Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM), School of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Paralakhemundi, Odisha mgjayathangaraj@gmail.com Prem Kumar, Saranya Paidi, Sebastin Raju are Faculty members, SOVAS, CUTM and R. K. Swain is Dean, SOVAS, CUTM.
