Pet Vomiting and Diarrhea
Like humans, pets with gastrointestinal (or GI) problems are often in a state of discomfort due to frequent bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. There are also other reasons why your pet might vomit or have loose stool, and sometimes it takes a veterinarian to get to the bottom of what's causing these episodes.
At White Rock Animal Hospital in East Dallas, we can help differentiate between what may be an occasional incident or a bigger cause for concern.
What Causes Pet Vomiting?
Our pets vomit for all kinds of reasons, and usually, there's no reason to be alarmed. Some pets simply eat too fast and with too much enthusiasm for their stomachs to handle. In that case, you'll find that food will typically come right back up. They may need smaller and more frequent feedings instead of one or two large meals per day, or a feeder to slow them down and stop regurgitation of undigested food.
Other instances of vomiting may occur before or after strenuous exercise, or if your pet has motion sickness from riding in the car. More serious issues of pet illness may arise if you've changed your pet's food, if they've developed a food intolerance, or if you're combining medications with your pet's feeding schedule.
White Rock Animal Hospital runs as a "No Appointment Necessary Vet Care" establishment. Bring your pets for a consult immediately if they have acute or intense vomiting, which could mean they've ingested a foreign body or substance or may have a virus. In some scenarios, your pet may need diagnostic testing for our vet to develop a treatment plan.
When Should You Worry about Pet Diarrhea?
Just like with cases of vomiting, your pet may experience diarrhea that can last a few days or much longer. The latter is obviously more concerning and would require veterinary intervention in the most severe cases.
Diarrhea in pets, like humans, is defined as an increase in what doctors call fecal fluidity (more commonly called "loose stool"). In addition to being recognized by appearance alone, it's also marked by increased defecation and the volume of feces your pet's GI system might produce.
Most cases of diarrhea are mild and don't require a trip to the vet. However, if it lasts longer than a few days and is continuous, it can be life-threatening and should be treated with urgency and greater diagnostic efforts at our facility.
If you have concerns about your pet's health, visit White Rock Animal Hospital, serving Lochwood, Lake Highland, and Lakewood, today at 11414 East Northwest Highway in Dallas. You can also call us at (214) 328-3255 with any questions. We look forward to hearing from you.
