It’s scary when your beloved canine companion starts shaking and throwing up. You instantly worry about what could be wrong and how you can help them. While some cases of doggy nausea and tremors are mild and pass quickly, others can signal a more serious condition. This article explores common reasons why your dog might be shaking and throwing up, when to seek veterinary care, and how to help your furry friend feel better.
Understanding the Possible Causes
Several factors can contribute to a dog experiencing shaking and vomiting, ranging from relatively harmless to potentially life-threatening. Let’s take a look at some common culprits:
1. Dietary Indiscretion
Did your dog gobble down something they shouldn’t have on their walk today? Dogs are notorious scavengers, and eating spoiled food, garbage, or toxic substances can lead to gastrointestinal upset, resulting in vomiting and shaking. In some cases, the discomfort can make a dog tremble.
2. Food Allergies and Sensitivities
Just like humans, dogs can have adverse reactions to certain foods. Common culprits include beef, chicken, dairy, wheat, and soy. If your dog consistently experiences vomiting and shaking after eating a particular food, a food allergy or intolerance could be to blame.
3. Infections
Viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections can cause various symptoms in dogs, including vomiting, shaking, diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Some common canine infections include parvovirus, distemper, kennel cough, and giardiasis.
4. Motion Sickness
If your dog tends to shake and vomit during car rides, they might experience motion sickness. This is especially common in puppies but can affect dogs of all ages.
5. Ingesting Toxins
Exposure to toxins like pesticides, cleaning products, human medications, and certain plants can have serious consequences for dogs, leading to vomiting, shaking, weakness, and other severe symptoms.
6. Medical Conditions
Underlying medical conditions like pancreatitis, kidney disease, liver disease, and certain types of cancer can also manifest as shaking and vomiting.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
While not all cases of shaking and vomiting require an immediate trip to the emergency vet, it’s crucial to know when to seek professional help. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog:
- Vomits blood or has blood in their stool
- Experiences persistent vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours
- Shows signs of severe pain, such as whimpering, arched back, or reluctance to move
- Exhibits lethargy or weakness
- Has pale gums
- Seems disoriented or confused
- Collapses or has seizures
“Dogs can’t tell us what’s wrong, so it’s our job to be vigilant about their health,” says Dr. Emily Parker, a veterinarian with over 15 years of experience. “If you notice your dog shaking and vomiting, especially with other concerning symptoms, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek professional veterinary care.”
Diagnosing the Problem
To determine the cause of your dog’s shaking and vomiting, your veterinarian will likely ask you about your dog’s medical history, recent activities, and any potential exposure to toxins. They will then perform a physical examination and may recommend additional tests, such as:
- Blood tests: To assess organ function, check for infection, and rule out other conditions
- Urine tests: To evaluate kidney function and look for signs of infection
- Fecal tests: To check for parasites
- X-rays and ultrasounds: To visualize internal organs and look for abnormalities
Treatment Options
Treatment for a dog shaking and throwing up will depend on the underlying cause. Your veterinarian might recommend:
- Medications: To control vomiting, treat infections, manage pain, and address specific medical conditions.
- Fluid therapy: To correct dehydration, especially in cases of severe vomiting or diarrhea.
- Dietary changes: To address food allergies, sensitivities, or gastrointestinal upset. Your veterinarian might recommend a bland diet for a few days to give your dog’s digestive system a break.
- Surgery: In rare cases, surgery might be necessary to address obstructions, remove foreign objects, or treat specific medical conditions.
Tips for Helping Your Dog Feel Better
While waiting for professional veterinary care or after your dog’s diagnosis, you can do several things to help them feel more comfortable:
- Keep them hydrated: Encourage your dog to drink water or offer them low-sodium chicken broth or Pedialyte (as directed by your veterinarian).
- Provide a comfortable resting place: Make sure your dog has a quiet, comfortable place to rest and recover.
- Withhold food temporarily: Your veterinarian might recommend withholding food for 12-24 hours to allow your dog’s digestive system to settle.
- Introduce a bland diet gradually: Once the vomiting subsides, offer your dog small amounts of bland food like boiled chicken and rice.
- Follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully: Administer any prescribed medications as directed and follow any dietary recommendations closely.
Preventing Future Episodes
While you can’t prevent every instance of shaking and vomiting, you can take steps to minimize the risk for your furry friend:
- Dog-proof your home: Keep potentially toxic substances like cleaning products, medications, and certain plants out of your dog’s reach.
- Secure your trash: Use a dog-proof trash can to prevent your dog from scavenging and ingesting harmful items.
- Be cautious on walks: Prevent your dog from eating anything off the ground and supervise them closely in areas where toxins might be present.
- Feed a high-quality diet: Choose a high-quality dog food that meets your dog’s nutritional needs and avoid feeding them table scraps.
- Keep up with vaccinations and parasite prevention: Regular veterinary checkups, vaccinations, and parasite prevention can help protect your dog from infections.
Conclusion
Seeing your dog shake and throw up is always concerning, but understanding the potential causes and when to seek veterinary attention can help you navigate the situation calmly and effectively. Remember to contact your veterinarian promptly if you have any concerns about your dog’s health. By working together, you can help your furry friend feel better and live a long, happy, and healthy life.
FAQs
Q: My dog threw up once and is now acting normal. Should I still be concerned?
A: It’s generally not unusual for dogs to vomit occasionally, especially if they’ve eaten something that disagreed with them. However, if your dog vomits multiple times, shows other symptoms, or seems unwell, it’s best to contact your veterinarian.
Q: Can stress cause a dog to shake and vomit?
A: Yes, stress and anxiety can trigger gastrointestinal upset in dogs, leading to vomiting and shaking. If your dog is prone to stress-induced vomiting, identify and minimize their stressors.
Q: My dog ate chocolate. What should I do?
A: Chocolate is toxic to dogs and can cause serious health problems. If your dog has ingested chocolate, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.
Q: Can I give my dog over-the-counter medication for vomiting?
A: Never give your dog over-the-counter medications without first consulting your veterinarian. Some human medications can be toxic to dogs.
Looking for More Information?
- Read our article on [dog health and wellness]
- Learn about [common dog illnesses]
- Discover tips for [dog first aid]
Beaut Dogs: Your Trusted Source for Dog Care Information
Beaut Dogs is your go-to resource for reliable, helpful, and in-depth information about the world of dogs. If you need personalized support and expert advice for your furry friend, reach out to us at [email protected]. We’re here to help you navigate the joys and challenges of dog ownership and ensure your canine companion lives their best life.