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Help! My Senior Dog is Throwing Up

Close up of dog laying down

It is not a nice mess to clean up. As your pet ages, they are more vulnerable to different situations. In those situations, their reaction may be to vomit. There are simple explanations for this reaction with one being they ate one too many dog snacks.

There are also complicated sources that may cause your senior dog to throw up and even though the cause may be simple, you should consult your vet. It is best to get the right diagnosis before acting.

To learn more on this topic, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can make the right move for your beloved pet.

My Senior Dog is Vomiting

There are many valid and not so serious reasons why this is taking place. There are also a lot of serious reasons why your pet may be throwing up at this stage of their lives. Here are some of those valid reasons:

  • Change of food without proper breaking in
  • Eating of garbage
  • Bacterial infection
  • Ate the wrong thing like a toy or bone
  • Parasites
  • Gallbladder is inflamed
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Ate or drank toxic items
  • Side effects from medication
  • Car sickness
  • Too much heat
  • And much more

One thing you have to be careful about when you see your senior dog vomiting is to make sure they get enough water. Throwing up causes dehydration which is not healthy for your older pet.

My Senior Dog Has Vomiting and Diarrhea

Red dog with a white face laying down on a rug

This may be a sign of a serious health issue. When you see your pet do both of these actions, you need to call your vet as soon as possible and get him or her to the clinic as fast as you can.

This response is also warranted when your dog throws up more than once in 24 hours or if they throw up right after you feed him or her.

My Senior Dog is Vomiting Yellow Bile

Golden colored dog laying down in dirt

Generally, this is not a very serious issue. The yellow color is an indication that your dog went too long without eating. To remedy this, you need to change their mealtime so that your dog has a shorter time span between meals.

Feeding them a nice snack before bedtime may help. If it doesn’t and your dog keeps throwing up yellow bile, consult your vet.

Why is My Dog Vomiting White Foam?

Senior golden retirever laying outdoors in grass

This color comes when your dog tries to throw up on an empty stomach. He or she may be suffering from some sort of stomach irritation or there is an obstruction somewhere.

Also, the white foam may be a sign your pet contracted kennel cough. If your dog throws up more than 2 times in 24 hours, call your vet and schedule an appointment.

When You See Your Senior Dog Vomiting

Black and tan dog with a gray face laying its head down on the grown

Call your vet. This situation requires that your pet throws up more than once and the following one or more situations are present:

  • Blood is present in the vomit
  • Nothing comes out when your dog tries to throw up
  • Your pet’s stomach is bloated or swollen
  • You think your dog ate or drank poison or something toxic
  • Their gums are pale or yellow in color
  • Your dog looks like they are experiencing pain
  • Diarrhea is also part of the vomiting process

What to Do When Your Senior Dog Throws Up

Scruffy dog laying down on carpet

Sometimes your pet may only have an upset stomach. That upset can be due to eating the wrong food and other minor issues. When this happens, withhold your dog’s food for 24 hours but make sure they get water during that time.

After 24 hours, serve your dog some bland-tasting food in small amounts. usually chicken and rice is a good meal. If your dog stops throwing up after these treatments, then return them to their normal food and activities.

Check the diet to make sure it is healthy for your pet or see if your vet recommends a special diet from that point going forward. If the vomiting is due to intestinal worms, ask your vet for the right de-wormer to use to rid your pet of those parasites.

Then if the source is a bacterial problem, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to cure your dog. Finally, if dehydration is the cause, then you may have to have your dog treated with an IV.

Some Final Words

Black and grey dog laying in grass

When your senior dog is throwing up, it is a sign that something major may be wrong. Or it is a sign that something minor is affecting your dog’s system. Either way, you should talk to your vet to make sure you get the right course of action.

The key is for you to stay calm all the time.

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