Dog Vomiting: Causes, Treatment & When to Worry - Mauritius Guide

Finding your dog vomiting can be alarming, but it's one of the most common reasons pet owners contact vets. While occasional vomiting may not be serious, knowing when it requires veterinary attention can be life-saving. Here's your complete guide to dog vomiting in Mauritius.

Vomiting vs. Regurgitation

Vomiting:

• Active process with abdominal contractions, retching, heaving
• Food is partially digested, may be mixed with bile (yellow/green)
• Dog appears nauseous beforehand (drooling, lip-licking, pacing)

Regurgitation:

• Passive, effortless expulsion
• Food is undigested, tubular shape from esophagus
• Happens shortly after eating
• May indicate esophageal issues - requires vet evaluation

Common Causes of Dog Vomiting

1. Dietary Indiscretion (Most Common)

• Eating too fast
• Eating garbage, spoiled food, or table scraps
• Sudden diet change
• Eating grass (common, usually harmless - see Why Dogs Eat Grass)

2. Gastritis or Stomach Upset

• Inflammation of stomach lining
• Often from eating inappropriate items
• Yellow bile vomit (often on empty stomach in morning)

3. Infections

• Parvovirus (especially puppies - EMERGENCY)
• Bacterial infections
• Parasites (worms, giardia)

4. Foreign Objects

• Toys, bones, socks, rocks - anything dogs swallow
• Can cause obstruction - requires immediate vet care

5. Toxins and Poisons

• In Mauritius: Rat poison, antifreeze, toxic plants, human medications
• Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (artificial sweetener)

6. Serious Medical Conditions

• Pancreatitis
• Kidney or liver disease
• Bloat/GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus - life-threatening)
• Cancer
• Addison's disease

7. Heat-Related (Mauritius-Specific)

• Heatstroke can cause vomiting
• Dehydration in tropical heat
• See: Heatstroke Guide

Types of Vomit: What They Mean

Yellow or Green (Bile)

• Meaning: Empty stomach, bile
• Common when: Vomiting first thing in morning or between meals
• Action: Try smaller, more frequent meals. If frequent, see vet.

Undigested Food

• Meaning: Ate too fast, overate, or shortly after eating
• Action: Slow feeding (puzzle feeders). If frequent, see vet.

Blood (Red or Coffee-Ground)

• Meaning: GI bleeding, ulcers, poisoning
• Action: VET IMMEDIATELY

White Foam

• Meaning: Stomach acids, bile, air (often from empty stomach or nausea)
• Action: Monitor. If single episode with no other symptoms, may be okay. If repeated, see vet.

Brown and Smells Like Feces

• Meaning: Intestinal blockage (vomiting intestinal contents)
• Action: EMERGENCY - see vet immediately

When to See a Vet

Immediate Emergency

• Blood in vomit
• Vomiting multiple times (3+) in 24 hours
• Projectile vomiting
• Vomiting with bloated, hard abdomen (GDV emergency)
• Suspected poisoning or foreign object
• Puppy vomiting
• Accompanied by: lethargy, collapse, seizures, difficulty breathing
• Not eating/drinking for 24+ hours

Same-Day Appointment

• Vomiting more than once but not in distress
• Vomiting with diarrhea
• Senior dog vomiting
• Vomiting with decreased appetite
• Any concerning symptoms along with vomiting

Monitor at Home (Schedule Vet If Continues)

• Single episode of vomiting
• Dog otherwise acting normal, eating, drinking
• No blood, no lethargy, no other symptoms
• But call vet if: Repeats within 24 hours or any new symptoms develop

Home Treatment for Mild Vomiting

ONLY for dogs with single episode, acting normal, no concerning symptoms:

1. Withhold Food (12-24 Hours)

• Give stomach time to rest
• Adults: 12-24 hours
• Puppies: 4-6 hours max (can develop low blood sugar)
• Continue offering water

2. Offer Water in Small Amounts

• Small sips every 30 minutes
• Too much water at once can trigger more vomiting
• Ice cubes to lick (controls water intake)
• If vomits water, withhold for 2 hours, then try again

3. Bland Diet (After 12-24 Hour Fast)

• Recipe: Boiled chicken (no skin/bones) + white rice (2:1 ratio)
• Small portions: 1-2 tablespoons every 2-3 hours initially
• Continue for 24-48 hours
• Gradually transition back to regular food over 3-4 days

4. Monitor Closely

• Watch for more vomiting
• Check for diarrhea, lethargy, pain
• Monitor water intake
• If ANY concerning signs, call vet

What NOT to Do

• Don't give human medications (Pepto-Bismol, Imodium) without vet approval
• Don't force food or water
• Don't feed fatty foods (can worsen nausea)
• Don't ignore repeated vomiting
• Don't wait too long with puppies (dehydrate quickly)

Prevention

Diet Management

• Feed consistent, high-quality dog food
• Avoid sudden diet changes (transition over 7 days)
• No table scraps or fatty foods
• Slow feeding (puzzle bowls, slow feeders)
• Smaller, more frequent meals

Environment Safety

• Secure garbage cans
• Remove access to toxic plants, chemicals
• Pick up foreign objects (toys, socks, etc.)
• Supervise outdoor time (prevent eating unknown items)

Parasite Prevention

• Year-round deworming in Mauritius tropical climate
• Monthly preventive treatments

Heat Management in Mauritius

• Prevent heatstroke (see Cooling Guide)
• Ensure adequate hydration
• Avoid exercise during peak heat

Finding a Vet in Mauritius

• Find veterinarians in Mauritius →
• 24/7 Emergency vets →

Key Takeaways

• Single episode, dog otherwise normal = monitor at home
• Withhold food 12-24 hours, offer water in small amounts
• Bland diet (chicken + rice) after fasting period
• Blood in vomit = EMERGENCY
• Multiple episodes in 24 hours = see vet same day
• Vomiting + lethargy/diarrhea = see vet
• Puppies vomiting = see vet immediately (dehydrate rapidly)
• Bloated abdomen + unsuccessful vomiting = GDV life-threatening emergency
• In Mauritius heat: vomiting may indicate heatstroke