Cataract is one of the worst nightmare for any dog guardian. Read the complete blog post to know all the herbal remedies for cataracts in dogs

Have you noticed that your dog’s eyes are starting to cloud up with a whitish tinge? This is generally indicative towards the fact that your dog is probably developing cataract. Just like humans, dogs can also get affected by cataract. It causes a white haze to form in front of the lens of the eye and impedes your dog’s vision.   

If you are worried about your dog developing this heinous disease and losing his or her version, read the full blog post to know the home remedies you can use to prevent cataract as well as to heal your dog if he or she is suffering from cataract.

Do you know why cataracts occur in dogs and what are the normal preventive measures available for the same? I invite you to check out my blog post on cataract: cataracts in dogs the causes symptoms and treatment options. When dogs develop cataract, the crystalline lens in the eye looses its transparency and light from outside can no longer reach the retina. This leads to a vision disorder. Depending on the age and previous health conditions of your dog, cataract can either develop slowly or it may develop before you realise.

If you are still reading, then you know what is cataract in case of dogs, its causes, symptoms as well as treatment options available. Let’s focus on the natural remedies which are available for cataracts. Most natural remedies will not be able to heal your dog of the cataract, however, they will ensure that the cataract does not progress any further. Let’s look at the natural cataract remedies for dogs

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is known to be an antioxidant by virtue of which it prevents cells from ageing fast. It has also been known to improve vision. You can use the following dose of vitamin C as a supplement to keep your dog from developing cataract and also to keep your dog young and healthy:

250 mg every day for dogs belonging to small breeds

500 mg every day for dogs belonging to medium-sized breeds

Up to 1000 mg every day for dogs belonging to the large dog breeds.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A has proven that it can act as a shield of good health. It is known to be the best supplement for eye care. It has also shown to protect the integrity of the epithelium of the eye. This epithelium primarily covers the eyeball. If you wish to administer vitamin A to your dog as a supplement, kindly check out the following doses

1500 IU every day for dogs belonging to small treats

3000 IU every day for dogs belonging to medium-sized dog breeds

5000 to 7000 IU daily for dogs belonging to the large breeds.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another natural antioxidant. It has been known to heal the oxidative damage which occurs in tissues as and when ageing happens. To administer vitamin E as a regular supplement to your dog, check out the following doses:

100 IU every day for dogs belonging to small dog breeds

200 IU daily for dogs belong to medium-sized dog breeds

400 IU daily for dogs belonging to large breeds

Coenzyme Q 10

Coenzyme Q 10 is another natural antioxidant. It is commonly taken by humans as well as dogs. This antioxidant is known to stop the progression of cataracts and has been known in some cases, to reverse the effects of cataract as well. It has been observed to strengthen and protect the eye. The following doses of coenzyme Q 10 should be administered to dogs:

15 mg every day for dogs belonging to small breeds

22 mg every day for dogs belonging to medium-sized breeds

30 mg every day for dogs belonging to the large dog breeds

The Dosage of coenzyme Q 10 as well as vitamins can be divided into half and the portions can be administered once in the morning and once in the evening.

Bilberry extract: 

Certain herbal remedies have been observed to reduce the rate of cataract advancement. Among these, Bilberry extract has been observed to be pretty effective. Bilberry contains an antioxidant which has the ability to fight I diseases. It is for this reason that Bilberry is also sometimes referred to as the vision herb.

Other herbal remedies

Other herbs which may be used to counteract and reduce cataract progression are rosemary, meadow sweet, grape seed extract, turmeric as well as burdock. The eye washes which are made with eye bright tea and greater calendine tea have been observed to reduce the progression of canine cataracts.

Carrots

Remember when your mother told you that carrots must be eaten since they are good for your eyes? Not only was she right about your eye, she was also right about your dog’s eye. The reason behind this is the presence of beta carotene carotenoid in carrots. Lutein, another carotenoid  which is found in leafy greens can also help reduce the progression of canine cataracts and protect the eye from any further damage.

Topical treatment

Succus cineraria with artificial tears in a 50:50 ratio has been observed to improve vision in some dog suffering from cataracts. Other topical treatments which have shown mixed results in case of canine cataracts are cysteine ascorbate, riboflavin, glutathione and l-taurine. 

Now that you know the natural supplements which can prevent as well as reduce cataract in your dog, what about the efficacy of the same?

The primary thing to remember here for all the guardians is that supplements are not miracle workers. Thus, no one should expect instant results. Currently there is a growing support towards the administration and usage of the natural remedies for canine cataract. Supplements for canine cataracts have shown that they can be an effective preventive measure as well as a great option as treatment for the same. However, these treatments have shown no permanent effect so far. 

Another promising remedy: eyedrops with lanosterol

Lanosterol is an organic compound which has recently been discovered as one that can improve vision by just dissolving the clumped proteins which form cataracts. Three dogs who were suffering from natural cataracts observed a complete clearance of vision within six weeks of treatment with these eyedrops. These results have cleared up a path towards a new nonsurgical treatment for cataracts.

Balance lifetime diet

A balance lifetime diet can help prevent the occurrence of cataract in your dog. Obesity is one of the factor which contributes to the risk of diabetes and cataracts. So keep an eye on your dog’s weight always. Provide your dog food items which are rich in amino acids like cysteine, glycine, glutamic acid, bioflavonoids, zinc, manganese, selenium and finally vitamin A, C, E.

If your dog is already suffering from cataract, avoid giving him or her any kind of processed meat, dairy products or saturated fats. 

Nutraceuticals

Nutraceuticals like wheat grass sprouts have shown a great promise as natural treatment for canine cataracts. You can either feed your dog fresh sprouts or you can purchase high-quality wheat grass powder supplement for your pup.

Algae/ seaweed

Algae/seaweed posesses the minerals, vitamins, liver detoxifier and antioxidants which have detoxifying properties which can act as natural canine cataract remedy. 

Whole krill

Krill is an amazing source of carotenoid, astaxanthin and other great antioxidants which are recommended to keep your dog’s eye safe and sound. 

Have you ever tried using natural remedies for canine cataracts? Please share your experiences in the comment section below. If you have a story or anecdote about your pup that you wish to share on my blog, please contact me on one of my social media channels.

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Is your dog suffering from cataract? If yes, then you are at the right place. In this blog post, I will discuss the causes, symptoms and the treatment strategies of the same.

A cataract is a disease that is common to both humans and dogs. Cataracts develop when the eye lens clouds up and it looks like a film has developed over the eye. This happens when there is a change in the water balance of the lens or a change in the proteins present in the lens. As a result of the clouding of the lens, light is unable to reach the retina, leading to blindness. If your dog is suffering from a mature cataract, then it will seem as if there is a white disk behind your dog's eye. The region of the eye which looks black or brown will now seem white. 

It is important to not confuse cataract with nuclear sclerosis. Nuclear sclerosis is the haziness caused in the eye which occurs due to the hardening of the eye lens during the advanced years of your dog's life. In the case of nucleus sclerosis, the light still passes through the eye and comes in contact with the retina, so even when suffering from nuclear sclerosis, your dog maintains a certain level of vision and won't bump into things. Most dog guardians get confused between nuclear sclerosis and cataract. They think that their dog is suffering from cataract, while the poor pup might be suffering from nuclear sclerosis.

How are canine cataracts diagnosed?

If you are worried that your dog might be suffering from cataract, contact your veterinarian. The vet can use a bright light and a magnifying lens to detect whether the cataract is at an immature stage or is just beginning to form and has not yet affected your dog's eyesight.

At the same time, your vet may also check for other eye issues like glaucoma and anterior uveitis that can affect the eye. Your vet might also conduct other tests like blood work and blood pressure checks to identify if your dog is suffering from any other systematic diseases that can cause vision impedance like hypertension and diabetes. Overall, these tests will provide your vet with an idea of your dog's overall well being.

Cataracts can either develop very slowly or develop overnight. There is a high chance that you don't notice the cataract developing during the initial stages but once the cataract reaches the stage of maturity i.e. the movement of light to the retina is completely blocked, your dog will be completely blind. Your dog will start bumping into furniture, have difficulties locating the food bowls, will be afraid of climbing up or down the stairs. However, dogs are one of the most adaptable creatures on the planet. They will learn to function without their sight sooner than you expect. In case the cataract affects your dog slowly, you might not even realise that your pup has lost his/her eyesight.

What are the causes behind cataract occurrence in dogs?

Most often, cataract is hereditary. Research has shown that there are several gene mutations in different dog breeds which have implicated towards cataract occurrence. If your dog has this mutation, he/she is at an elevated risk of developing this disease. You can get your dog genetically tested, however, there is no guarantee as to whether your dog will eventually develop a cataract or not. 

One of the other major causes of cataracts is diabetes existence. Almost all dogs who have been diagnosed with diabetes start to develop a cataract within a year of diagnosis. High blood sugar levels generally cause a change in the water balance in the lens and result in the formation of a cataract. Diabetic cataracts tend to develop very quickly with the dog losing eyesight completely within a few days of eye trouble. Oral oxidants have been observed to help with the delay in cataract formation, therefore, discuss with your veterinarian about his/her recommendation.

Recently, there is a new canine eye drop that can prevent or delay diabetic cataract formation. However, it is currently awaiting approval from the FDA. 

Treatment of dog cataracts

The unfortunate part of a dog cataract is that there is no pill or eye drop that can cause a reversal in the state of the eye lens. Luckily, however, surgery has been observed to be highly successful in most cases. Even in animals, cataract surgery can be used to remove the cloudy lens and cause restoration of the eyesight.

The only cases when surgeries are not successful are when your dog has damaged retinas, glaucoma or inflammation in the eye. If unfortunately, your dog is such a candidate, your vet will inform you of the same.

Your dog may also suffer other illness like heart or kidney disease which can make the administration of anaesthesia very risky for your dog. In such a case, your vet will prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops to your pup for the long term to reduce the inflammation. These drops won't directly treat cataracts or restore the lost vision, however, they will prevent or delay lens-induced glaucoma.

Lens induced glaucoma takes place when the proteins from cataract get released in the eye and cause an inflammatory reaction which clogs the fluid overflow. This leads to excess fluid building up in the eye causing an increase in the pressure which causes a lot of pain to the dog.

Conclusion:

We all want the best for our dogs. Seeing them in any kind of pain is very heartbreaking for us. Even doing research and writing this post brought tears to my eyes. However, when your dog reaches the stage of such difficulty, you will be there by his/her side providing all your love and support to your beloved pooch. As I mentioned above, dogs are very very resilient. All they need is your love and devotion to help them get through the most difficult of times.

Have you ever been in the above-mentioned situation? Do you have any stories to share with everyone? You can either leave your stories in the comment section below or you can contact me on any of my social media channels. If you have any specific query you want to be addressed, please leave them in the comment section. I will be happy to be of assistance..

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Brought home a new puppy? Do you need to know what supplements are required? Then you are at just the right place. Read the full blog post to understand what your puppy really needs.

Adults are not the only ones who need dietary supplements or vitamins. Your dogs or puppies are in very much need of the same. Most common dietary supplements which are used by dog guardians are multivitamins to support the arthritic joints dogs, fatty acids to cause reduction in shedding and improvement in the coat shine, probiotics to reduce or alleviate gastrointestinal problems and finally antioxidants to counteract the effects of old age like cognitive dysfunction. 

As per the latest research, there is a growing population of overweight as well as aging dogs that has led to an increase in the requirement of supplements by around 37% by the year 2012. 

Let's find the answers to a few burning question that generally hovers on every dog guardians mind:

1. Is vitamin supplementation necessary for my dog?

In case you provide your dog the commercially processed dog food, then your dog most likely receives a complete and balanced diet which includes all the necessary minerals and vitamins from his diet itself. However, in case you are administering your dog the homemade diet, it is absolutely critical that you provide all necessary vitamins and mineral supplements separately to your dog. The amount of the vitamin and mineral supplement provided to your dog must match your dogs diet. To understand how much supplement your dog needs you must contact your veterinarian. 

2. Is there any danger if I am administering vitamins to my dog?

If your dog is already eating a balanced diet and you are separately administering vitamins to him or her, then the excess portions of certain minerals and vitamins can be harmful as per the FDA and the veterinarians

If you provide your dog too much calcium, it can lead to skeletal problems specially if your dog belongs to the large breeds. If you provide too much vitamin A to your dog, it can harm the blood vessels and cause joint pain and dehydration. Excess levels of vitamin in the blood can cause a dog to stop eating, may cause the muscles to undergo atrophy and harm the bones.

3. Should I consult my before I start to supplement my dog's diet?

The answer to this is a huge YES! You must always consult with your vet before starting your dog on any new type of vitamin mineral supplement. It has been observed that sometimes symptoms which may look like your dog is suffering from arthritis like dog with a weak hip could instead turn out to actually be a neurological problem. If your dog is suffering from a poor skin condition, it could also be indicative of a skin, hormonal or metabolic problem. This it is imperative that you consult your vet before starting your dog on any kind of supplement. 

Ingredients which are present in your dog’s supplement, specially the herbal kind can actually interfere with any other medication that your dog is on. Most of the veterinarians say that if your dog is on a balanced and complete diet and is otherwise healthy with no visible problems, they do not actually need any kind of supplementation. For those dog guardians who want to provide the dogs with some extra nutrients, they can always add fruits and vegetables to their dogs diet.                  

4. Do dog supplements actually work?

The working of a Docs supplement primarily depends on how the supplement was manufactured, whether the rights also produced or not and whether the quality of manufacture was good. Since clinical trials are rare in case of pet supplements, it is hard to find perfect supplement for any condition.

glucosamine-chondroitin-based supplements are most commonly given to dogs who suffer from osteoarthritis. This is one supplement which has been tested in case of humans as well as animals. It has been observed that because I am in confidence Alfred reduces the pain and increases the mobility after 70 days of treatment. However in case of other clinical trials the same effects could not be replicated.

Fish oil supplements are probably the ones which can be used without your vet approval since they make the coat shinier and are generally good for the skin. Fish oil supplements have also been observed to reduce the inflammation as per a study which was published in the American Journal of veterinary research.

Antioxidants like vitamin C and E have also been observed to reduce inflammation and can help senior dogs with memory recall. However, these have not been tested for long-term safety in case of dogs.

5. Do nutritional supplements for dogs contain the nutrients promised in the label?

Unfortunately when glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate supplements were tested for both pets and humans, 60% of the products for dogs failed the test compare to 25% of the products which were manufactured for people.

The national animal supplement Council has also checked nutritional products for dogs and have observed that 25% do not meet the claims made on the label.

6. Which is the governing body which regulates dog vitamins and supplements?

The dog vitamins and supplements are regulated by the FDA. However, the National Animal Supplement Council is addresses the concerns regarding labelling guidelines and reporting supplements which do not meet the amount of ingredients promised on the label.

7. As a dog guardian how should I choose a supplement for my dog?

Here are a few tips from veterinarians and those who work in the field of supplement testing. Remember these tips when you choose a supplement for your dog:

• Go for a brand which is specialised in only one area or who have clinical studies to back up their claims
• Always read labels carefully. Focus carefully on the ingredient which you are looking for, so that you don’t get fooled by their similar looking products.
• Always check for the lot number, presence of a lot number indicates that the company has quality control checks in place.
• Check for the contact number of the company on the label. You can go one step further and call the company to find out who formulated the product, how long has the manufacturer been in business and how much expertise do they have in the field.
• Be extra careful of the claims that sound too good to be true. Some companies claim that their products can alleviate diseases like hip dysplasia, parvovirus and cancer. Do not fall for such false promises.
• Look for certification from a governing body which checks supplements.
• Never give your dog any human supplements.
• Either try to know the seller or buy the supplement from your veterinarian’s office. Surveys have shown that such supplements cause less problems in the long run.

8.What about the supplements which are present in the commercial dog food?

The general dog food which is  available in the market contain vitamins and supplements but these are not up to the level of therapeutic dose in case your dog is suffering from any type nutritional deficiency.

However, in case your dog is on a prescription dog food, these are supposed to have therapeutic levels of supplements. If you still feel that your dog is in need of more supplements, have a discussion with your vet first before starting your dog on any new supplement.

Do you administer any vitamin or mineral supplements to your dog? If yes, then write your experiences in the comment section below. If you want to share your stories with my readers, please contact me on any of my social media channels.

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 It's time to know the herbal remedies which can cure your dog suffering from kennel cough

 In my previous poor I discussed kennel cough, the causes, and symptoms of the same. In this post, I will discuss the herbal remedies which can prevent Kennel cough in your dog.

 Kennel cough is just like the common cold in dogs. It can infect your dog if he/she comes is contact with any other dog. Kennel cough can infect your dog if your dog cones ins direct contact with an infected dog-like touching noses, using contaminated surfaces like water, food or food bowl or even by touching noses or droplet. Kennel cough sounds like a dreadful disease. However, it is fairly treatable. Have a discussion with your veterinarian regarding the herbal remedies and your dog's current condition before administering any of them to your dogs. If the condition persists, call your veterinarian immediately..

1.     Add probiotics to your dog's diet: 

Probiotics are not only good for your dog's digestive and oral health, they can also help to prevent Kennel cough in your beloved pooch. kennel cough has a tendency to progress to pneumonia. The good bacteria present in the probiotics compete with the bad bacteria for nutrients preventing the growth of the bad bacteria. Make sure that you only administer the probiotic supplements which are specifically made for dogs. In case your dog has been prescribed an antibiotic by the veterinarian, make sure that you wait for 2 hours before you administer the probiotic to your dog. In case the antibiotics and probiotics are given at the same time, they will cancel out one another.

2.     Treat Kennel cough with coconut oil:- 

I have written a previous blog post about the wonders of coconut oil for dogs. You can access it by clicking here. The antiviral properties of coconut oil help in protecting against the Bordetella virus. Give your dog 2 teaspoons of coconut oil everyday unless the cough is cured. You can either add coconut oil to your dog's diet or you can have your dog directly lick off from the spoons. Congestion causes a loss of appetite. A whiff of coconut oil will have your dog's mouth watering again. .You can also use coconut oil as a part of long term maintenance of your dog's health.

3.     Cinnamon can help: 

Cinnamon is a great dietary supplement. It is safe to be sprinkled on your dog's food any time, but it is especially amazing as a home remedy for kennel cough. Just like coconut oil, cinnamon also possesses antiviral properties. Just sprinkle a half teaspoon of cinnamon on your dog's diet.

4.     Raw honey: 

Raw honey is an amazing remedy for sore throat. Raw honey also possesses antiviral, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties. Provide 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of honey at least 3 times a day for a 30-50 lbs dog. You can adjust this amount as per your dog's body weight. Or simply administer half teaspoon if your dog is small and one teaspoon if your dog belongs to a large breed.

5.     Garlic: 

Peel some garlic cloves and put them in a glass jar. Cover the garlic cloves with olive oil and allow it to infuse for 24 hours. Once the infusion is done ( after 24 hours), add a few drops of this concoction to your dog's diet.

6.      Homeopathic remedies: 

Dosera:  Can be used in case your dog shows symptoms of dry hacking cough along with violent coughing spells.

 Aconite: Aconite is useful during we early stages of kennel cough like hacking, coughing, etc as if your dog has something stuck in the throat.

Spongia Tosta: This is useful for barking, croupy coughs which mostly improves with drinking or eating warm food but tends to worsen on consumptions of cold food or beverage. spongia is implicative of a cough starting in sleep.

Rumex Crispus: This is helpful if your dog is suffering from a dry and persistent throat tickling.

Belladonna: Belladonna bs used when there is a sudden onset of symptoms, fever, chills as well as sweating from the pads of their feet.

Other remedies which you can do in case your dog is suffering from Kennel cough:

 7. Use a humidifier: 

Place a humidifier near your dog's resting area. The humidifier will moisten the air which your dog breathes, thus, reducing the irritation to your dog's throat.

 8. Use the shower and administer steam therapy to your pooch: 

When you take a warm shower, keep your pup in the bathroom with you. The warm air will provide steam therapy to your dog, clearing up the nostrils and throat.

 9. Grapefruit seed extract: 

Grapefruit seed extract mixed with water in a spray bottle can act a disinfectant to prevent the spread of the virus to the other animal in the house.

10. Provide plenty of rest to your dog: 

Rest is very crucial for your dog to recover from Kennel cough. Reduce your -dog's daily exercise duration. This helps with the recovery process and reduces the coughing episodes.

 11. Avoid the following:- 

When your dog is recovering from Kennel cough, make sure to avoid any kind of irritants like cigarette smoke, dust or household cleaners. These items can cause irritation to your dog's throat and delay the recovery process.

  12. During walks: 

Make sure to use a harness instead of a collar for your dog. The harness will let you apply pressure on your dog's chest which on the other side, a collar will put pressure on your dog's throat which might worsen your dog's condition.

 Conclusion:

Have you ever used herbal remedies for your pup? If you have, please share your experiences with everyone in the comment section below. If you have any stories you wish to share with the world, you can contact me on any of my social media channels.

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If your dog is puking, you are probably very concerned and want to know what to do next. Read the full blog post to understand the causes and preventive measures of the same.

Vomiting is not uncommon in dogs. Some of the reasons behind dog’s vomiting is nothing to worry about. However, if the vomiting is a sign of a serious health problem, you may need immediate veterinary care. Some dogs may vomit from time to time depending on the situation, however, if your dog is big repeatedly vomiting, it deserves your attention.

Your dog’s vomiting can have a look of a clear liquid or it maybe of white, yellow, or brown color. It may or may not be frothy. Read on to find out the potential reasons behind vomiting in dogs and how to prevent the same

In this guide, you will be acquainted with the different kinds of dog vomiting, what are the causes behind them and when should you call your vet.

First, you need to understand, whether your dog is vomiting or regurgitating

The primary thing to keep in mind here is that dogs vomiting and regurgitation art to different things. Vomiting is more of an active process while regurgitation can be considered as a passive process. Vomiting is more concerning than regurgitation. The causes and treatments of both these symptoms are different. Thus, it is very important to understand the difference between the two

Dog vomiting

Dogs vomit when they throw up all the content from the upper intestine and their stomach. These contents are forcefully ejected out of the system. They can either be accompanied with yellow bile or undigested dog food. The smell is almost always sour.

Vomiting might occur after or before eating. It is usually preceded by symptoms like licking their lips, drooling, and swallowing excessively (signs of nausea).

Some dogs may also tend to eat grass to induce vomiting. Grass can protect the esophagus by covering up sharp objects like bone shards when the vomiting occurs. It’s always a good idea to prevent your dog from eating a ton of grass as grass eaten in a large amount can make the matters worse.

Your dog might also try to eat his or her vomit. This is a dog instinct that is very unappealing to humans but is not a problem for dogs

Try to limit your dog’s water consumption after an instance of vomiting. As vomiting causes dehydration, your dog might ingest a lot of water immediately after vomiting which may induce further vomiting.

Regurgitation

Regurgitation is food is thrown out from the esophagus and not from the intestine. In regurgitation, the food is thrown out before it reaches the stomach. The primary difference between regurgitation and vomiting is that regurgitation never involves abdominal heaving. Regurgitation also tends to happen shortly after eating and is induced by either eating too much or eating too fast.

If your dog is under stress or overly excited, this can also lead to regurgitation.

What does your dog’s vomiting look like?

Once you have made sure that your dog is vomiting and not just regurgitating, it is time to identify the vomit by its appearance. The color and looks of the vomit can determine the cause of vomiting in your dog.

White foamy vomit

If your dog vomited a clear liquid that is white and foamy, it can be due to the buildup of stomach acids. The foamy appearance may be due to the vomit coming into contact with air or being sloshed around in the stomach before it is thrown out.

Clear liquid vomit

If the vomit looks like it is a clear liquid, it may have been caused by water pooling in the stomach or stomach secretions. This most often happens when the dog drinks while he or she is feeling nauseous and is unable to keep the water down.

Slimy mucus-like vomit

If your dog vomit looks slimy with mucus and your dog has been drooling, the drool tends to pool in your dog’s stomach in response to some major irritation. Your dog should feel relieved once they vomit up the mucus.

Yellow vomit

Yellow vomit mostly occurs when your dog has not eaten anything the whole day. The color is yellow because of the bile secretions. This kind of vomit occurs either in the middle of the night or during the early morning hours. The reason behind this vomit can either be acid reflux, acid buildup, or other conditions that cause nausea in an empty stomach.

Bloody (pink or red) vomit:

If there is blood in your dog’s vomit, the situation must be taken very seriously and you should consult your vet immediately. Bleeding can occur due to the presence of a tumor, an ulcer, lack of clotting factor, or eating rat poison. The presence of blood always causes nausea in dogs. If the vomit has a pink tinge and the color does not progress to becoming red, if the vomiting is not profuse or prolonged, then it might not be an urgent situation.

On the other hand, if the vomit has fresh blood or blood clots in it, this might be an indication of bleeding in the upper small intestine or the stomach. Bleeding must never be ignored. Always take this seriously and immediately contact your veterinarian

Brown vomit

Brown vomit is most often regurgitated food that never made it to the stomach and just got thrown out of the esophagus. It can also be an indication that the dog ate too quickly, swallow a lot of air, or didn’t you the food.

In the case of brown vomit, it is best to inspect it to determine the nature of the contents. Blood may also appear brown at times if there is no profuse bleeding. Puppies or dogs who engage in coprophagia also tend to do brown vomit.

Green vomit

Green vomit is most often caused due to eating grass. This can also be due to a contraction in the gallbladder before vomiting if your dog is on an empty stomach resulting in the release of the bile in the stomach.

Grass in vomit

The grass is a very common ingredient in dogs vomit. Dogs tend to eat grass when they have digestive issues. Eating grass causes vomit and the grass also gets released in the vomit. If your dog is eating grass regularly, it can be indicative of a bigger problem. The grass may also contain pesticides and parasites which might not be great for your dog’s health. Check out this blog post to know more about why dogs eat grass.

Reasons behind dogs throwing up

There are many reasons as to why dogs vomit. A few breeds and specific ages make dogs more prone to vomiting behavior. There might also be internal or external causes including the severity, color, or duration of the vomit which can influence how to respond to the vomiting. All these things must be kept in mind when you go to your veterinarian.

Here is a list of possible causes that might cause your dog to suffer through acute (one time) or chronic (recurrent tendency, happens repeatedly over time):

• brain tumor
• diabetes mellitus
• an abrupt change in diet
• Addison’s disease
• cancer
• drinking contaminated water
• eating poop (coprophagia)
• bloat
• constipation
• eating too fast
• food allergies or intolerance
• eating grass
• exercising after eating
• gastritis or an upset stomach from eating spoiled food or garbage
• gastrointestinal ulcers
• gastroenteritis i.e. inflammation of the intestinal tract and stomach
• drug side effects or head trauma
• gastroenteritis
• inflammatory bowel disease
• heatstroke
• bacterial or fungal or viral infections
• intestinal obstruction by ingestion of a foreign body
• Parasitic infestation in the intestine
• kidney disease
• Megaesophagus
• middle ear problem
• pancreatitis
• liver disease
• meningitis
• motion sickness
• side effects of the medication
• parvovirus

Remedies to stop your dog from vomiting at home

if your dog is having a mild episode of vomiting, there are a few home remedies that you can try to stop the vomiting. However, before using any of these treatment methods, be sure to discuss them with your veterinarian.

Pepto-Bismol

This is not a proper treatment in the case of dogs. The primary concern in the case of Pepto-Bismol is that it possesses salicylic acid which is a primary ingredient of aspirin. This drug must be used with caution especially if your dog takes anti-inflammatory medicine or steroids as the combination of these two medicines can cause gastrointestinal tract bleeding.

Famotidine or Pepcid AC:

These two are safer options compared to Pepto-Bismol. These can be used to reduce acid reflux and acid production. These can often help to settle your dog’s stomach.

Treatment of dog vomiting at the vet’s office

In the vet’s office, to reduce or stop vomiting, the primary treatment used is injection. This is the safest and most reliable way to get the medicine quickly into the dog's system and to prevent him or her from vomiting again. In case a pill is used to stop the vomit, there is a high chance that the pill will be thrown out when your dog vomits again.

Medications used to stop nausea and vomiting

Cerenia (maropitant citrate) is the drug of choice to reduce and stop vomiting in dogs at a vet clinic. It generally acts on the trigger zone in the dog brain disrupting nausea and acts on receptors in the stomach to help settle the stomach. Your vet will most likely start with Cerenia and follow up with anti-vomiting pills every 24 hours for a few days to ensure that the vomiting has been resolved.

Metoclopramide (Reglan) is less widely used compared to megaesophagus but is still used for motility issues in dogs.

Ondansetron (Zofran) is also used as an anti-vomiting pill in hospitals.

Your vet might also recommend a bland diet for your dog for a few days to aid in digestion.

How to prevent vomiting in dogs?

By observing a few precautionary measures, you can keep your dog safe and prevent an unnecessary visit to the vet’s office due to vomiting.

Always avoid changing your dog’s diet suddenly. If there is a need to change your dog’s diet, do it gradually. Sudden dietary changes have always been observed to cause intestinal upset in dogs.

NEVER give your dog toys that can be chewed up and swallowed. The pieces of such toys can get accumulated in the intestinal tract and lead to obstruction. You are the best judge of your dog’s tendencies and temperament. So if your dog is a heavy chewer or plays very aggressively with his or her toys, then you should opt for homemade dog toys for your dog.

Never give your dog bones to chew on. Bones have been routinely implicated in case of vomiting episodes.

Avoid giving your dogs scraps from the table. Some common human foods have been observed to be downright dangerous to your dogs like garlic, onions, xylitol, chocolate, reasons, grapes, chives etc. Depending on the breed and the background, some dogs may show more sensitivity to these human foods than others. So it is best to avoid giving your dog any scrap from the table.

Do not let your dog access garbage cans. If you’re on a walk, make sure your dog is on a leash and is unable to access road cited trash cans. The gastroenteritis which is caused by consuming cabbage items from the garbage cans is referred to as a garbage gut by veterinarians. The scavenging behavior of dogs also increases the risk of toxin exposure and foreign body digestion.

If your dog is over-inquisitive, you need to carefully watch his or her behavior on the walks. You might even want to try out a muzzle if your dog tends to put everything foreign in his or her mouth.

Conclusion:

Did you have to ever go through a vomiting episode? If yes, what did you do in such a condition? What was the treatment plan offered by your vet? Please share your stories with us in the comment section. If you want me to feature one of the stories on my blog posts, contact me on one of my social media channels.

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