naturalpet
Motion Sickness – While we enjoy seeing a happy dog inhaling the fresh air with its head or nose outside a car window, some canines succumb to motion sickness, nausea and even vomiting. Pharmaceuticals (such as sedatives) and herbal medications are available to treat such discomforts. Intestinal Parasites – Many kit- tens and puppies are born with intes- tinal parasites. If a young animal is in- fested with roundworms or microscopic hookworms, it may begin to vomit them up. Most veterinarians recom- mend routine de-worming throughout the first few months of life. Adverse Reaction to Medica-
NAUSEOUS PETS Causes and Cures by Dr. Matthew J. Heller
It is rare to find a pet owner that has not suffered through bouts of vomiting by their furry friend. We’ve all cleaned the floor or furniture, shaking our head and wondering what caused the mess.
T
he leading pet medical insurer, Veterinary Pet Insurance (Pet
Insurance.com), ranks vomiting among the five leading causes of claims for dogs. It’s a common symptom caused by various conditions or illnesses, some simple and others more complex.
Simple Causes Dietary Indiscretions – One of the more common causes of vomiting in dogs is careless eating. Fluffy may knock over the trash can and eat some rancid leftovers; be a little too enthusi- astic in gobbling meals; or like to snack on grass or landscape mulch.
Generally, dogs that commit any of these acts tend to heave it back up in a relatively short period of time. Pharma- ceuticals can aid in controlling such vomiting, while herbal medicines such as Happy Earth Formula (a combination
52 Collier/Lee Counties
of Chinese herbal remedies) work to gently soothe an upset stomach. As a general guideline, if a dog is retching due to a suspected dietary indiscretion, it is advisable to withhold food and water for 12 to 24 hours, and then gradually resume normal feeding over the next 24 to 36 hours. If there is no noticeable improvement within the first 24 hours or toxic plants, flowers or other poisonous culprits caused the vomiting, call or take the pet to a vet immediately.
Possible Food Sensitivity – If a cat or dog begins to vomit after being introduced to a new diet, it may be sensitive to one of the new ingredients. If the new diet contains more fillers or byproducts, the pet may be having problems properly digesting the food. Reading a pet food label identifies ingredients.
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tions – Dogs, like humans, can some- times suffer nausea and vomiting as an anticipated side effect of a prescribed medication. If a pet vomits after receiv- ing antibiotics, contact a veterinarian for advice. Some anti-inflammatory pain relief medications also may cause vomiting. Many holistic medicine proponents attest that one benefit of non-pharmaceutical options—including therapeutic laser treatment or desig- nated herbal medicines—is their lack of negative side effects.
If puking is a pet’s only symptom, the chances are good that the cause is relatively simple, inviting a straightfor- ward treatment plan. However, if the pet is also experiencing other symp- toms, such as a fever, constipation or diarrhea, if other signs of systemic dis- tress appear, such as shallow breathing or neurological abnormalities, then it is vital to immediately consult a vet.
Some veterinarians theorize that dogs vomit more readily than cats in order to protect themselves from eating spoiled or contaminated foods.
More Serious Issues
Sometimes, vomiting may be a symp- tom of a more serious illness. The following are several usual causes. Liver and Kidney Disease –
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