Frothy Vomiting in Dogs

Dogs are known for eating things they're not supposed to.

Dogs are well-known for eating things they shouldn't, and vomiting is their body's way of expelling the unwanted matter from the stomach before it can cause a major problem. Many times, cases of vomiting resolve themselves within a day or two, but sometimes vomiting can signal a more serious issue. When a dog vomits frothy, yellow bile, it either means that his stomach is empty or the food is otherwise not reaching the esophagus. Correct treatment depends upon discovering the reason behind the vomiting.

Empty Stomach

Very active, exciteable dogs are prone to inflammatory bowel disease.

Many dogs have a habit of vomiting first thing in the morning, especially if they are very active upon waking. This is usually caused by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which can affect the movement of food through the digestive tract and cause gastric reflux under stress. When the dog wakes up in the morning, it has been several hours since his last meal, so his stomach is empty, but still working. When he gets excited and becomes active, the excess acid in the stomach travels up the esophagus and triggers the gag reflex, which causes him to vomit. Because there is no food in his stomach, he vomits bile.

Full Stomach

Large dogs are especially susceptible to gastric torsion.

Vomiting bile on a full stomach means that the food is not reaching the esophagus. Large-breed dogs are especially susceptible to a condition called gastric torsion, or "bloat." If the dog eats a large meal or eats very rapidly, their stomach quickly expands and becomes filled with gas. Vigorous activity can cause the stomach to twist, trapping the gas and food inside. This creates problems for almost every vital organ as blood supplies are cut off. As toxins are released into the blood and the gas builds in the stomach, the dog will vomit bile, or will attempt to vomit and not produce anything. Alternatively, if the dog has ingested a foreign object that is too large to pass through his digestive tract, it will block the exit from the stomach and cause similar symptoms. These are emergency conditions, and immediate medical attention is necessary to save the dog's life.

Diagnosis

The dog's condition will tell the vet whether his condition is chronic or an emergency.

The dog's history and a clinical exam will tell the vet whether the vomiting is a sign of a chronic issue like IBD or an emergency situation. Patients with IBD normally vomit daily, while victims of bloat or foreign body obstruction come upon their symptoms suddenly. Emergency cases will be treated immediately, while cases of suspected IBD will undergo ultrasound, biopsies and food trials to obtain a precise diagnosis.

Treatment

Dogs with a chronic condition will be treated at home, while emergencies will require hospitalization.

Dogs in medical distress will be stabilized with intravenous fluids, antibiotics and steroids before attempting surgical intervention. To relieve bloat, the vet will pass a rubber tube down the dog's throat to manually expel the built-up gas, and may massage and flush the stomach to extract the entire contents. This empties the stomach enough to allow it to return to its normal position. If a foreign body is suspected, surgery may be necessary to remove it. Dogs with IBD are generally treated at home with a combination of acid-reducing drugs and medications to improve gut motility. These treatments can be used long-term to prevent future problems.

Prognosis

Victims of bloat or obstruction have a longer road to recovery, but will do fine if treated early.

Dogs with IBD generally do well long-term, especially if medication is administered faithfully on schedule before meals. Dogs with bloat or foreign body obstruction have a longer road to recovery, but the majority of them do recover if treated early. Both obstruction and bloat can quickly become fatal if left untreated.

References

• Professor's House: Dog Vomiting
• Dog Owners' Guide: Intestinal Upsets
• Vet Info: Vomiting in the Morning (Mostly)