A Vomiting Dog: True Vomiting versus RegurgitationAs noted in the prior section, a vomiting dog contracts his stomach forcefully to get rid of the contents of the stomach. Regurgitation is another symptom that can mimic vomiting. It is important to differentiate these two symptoms.
Regurgitation is usually due to a problem in the esophagus, the gut-tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. This could be due to foreign bodies (a toy, stick, bone etc.), inflammation of the esophagus or dilatation of the esophagus (due to weakened esophagus muscles). While vomiting is a forceful expulsion of material from the stomach, regurgitation is a passive movement. To vomit, a dog uses many of his bodily systems—gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems—to coordinate the effort. With regurgitation, no coordination occurs and there is a passive expulsion of material. With careful observation, you will see that a dog who is vomiting will display strong abdominal contractions whereas with regurgitation this is absent. This is not always easy to observe and distinguish. There are other clues—regurgitation is more likely If the symptoms happen right after eating or if what is thrown up is undigested food. If your dog vomits bile (bright yellow fluid), then true vomiting is more likely. Please read on to find out about the causes, symptoms and treatment of vomiting in dogs.
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