Vomiting and Shaking In Dogs – Causes, Signs, Treatment

Vomiting and shaking in dogs is a common issue that pet owners may encounter.

It can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from dietary indiscretion to serious medical conditions.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the causes of vomiting and shaking in dogs and discuss how to treat these symptoms.

We’ll also provide tips on how to prevent episodes of vomiting and shaking in the future.

Key Takeaway

• Vomiting and shaking in dogs can be caused by a variety of factors including nausea, ingestion of toxic substances, gastrointestinal issues, infections, kidney or liver failure, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or serious conditions such as poisoning or contagious diseases like parvovirus.
• Signs of vomiting and shaking in dogs include listlessness, lip smacking, swallowing or salivating more than usual, fear or excitement, prolonged periods of shaking, restlessness, not eating, nasal discharge, coughing, and the presence of yellow bile or partially digested food in the vomit.
• If your dog is vomiting and shaking, it’s crucial to monitor their condition closely and seek immediate veterinary assistance as these symptoms could indicate serious health conditions like diabetes, poisoning, or kidney and liver failure.

What Is Vomiting and Shaking in Dogs

Vomiting and shaking in dogs are symptoms that can indicate a variety of health problems, ranging from mild conditions like dietary indiscretion to serious illnesses such as kidney disease or poisoning.

When a dog vomits and shakes, it’s showing signs of distress.

Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of the stomach through the mouth, often caused by irritation or inflammation of the stomach lining.

Shaking, on the other hand, can be a physiological response to feeling cold, but in this context, it’s usually a sign of discomfort, anxiety, or pain.

These symptoms together can suggest various underlying issues.

What Causes Vomiting and Shaking in Dogs

Vomiting and shaking in dogs are symptoms that can signify various health issues, ranging from simple dietary indiscretion to severe conditions like kidney disease or poisoning.

Dietary Issues

Dogs may vomit and shake due to dietary indiscretion, which means they’ve consumed something inappropriate leading to an upset stomach. This could be eating too much, too fast, or ingesting something that doesn’t agree with their system.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroenteritis could also lead to these symptoms. These disorders can cause nausea and discomfort, which might manifest as shaking and vomiting in your dog.

Systemic Infections

Systemic infections, such as parvovirus, can cause a dog to vomit. Shaking or shivering may occur due to the dog’s discomfort or as a response to a fever that often accompanies such infections.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, can also lead to vomiting and shaking in dogs. This condition can be quite painful and may cause a dog to tremble or shake.

Kidney or Liver Disease

Kidney and liver diseases are serious conditions that can cause dogs to vomit and shake. These ailments can interfere with normal body functions, leading to a variety of symptoms including nausea and shaking.

Neurological Disorders

Certain neurological disorders can cause shaking or trembling in dogs. If accompanied by vomiting, it could indicate a serious neurological issue that needs immediate veterinary attention says Wag Walking.

Poisoning

Ingestion of toxic substances can lead to severe reactions in dogs, including vomiting and shaking. This is a serious situation that requires immediate veterinary intervention.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is especially common in small-breed dogs and can cause symptoms like shaking, muscle twitching, and even vomiting.

What Are Signs of Vomiting and Shaking in Dogs

Signs of vomiting and shaking in dogs can include a variety of behavioral changes and physical symptoms, indicating that the dog could be suffering from a health issue ranging from mild discomfort to serious illness.

Nausea

Shaking in dogs may be a sign of nausea. Other signs of nausea in dogs can include listlessness, lip smacking, swallowing, or salivating more than usual. The dog may also show signs of being uneasy, like pacing or whining.

Anxiety, Fear, or Excitement

Vomiting and shaking together might indicate an emotional imbalance in your dog’s state, such as anxiety, fear, or excitement. In these cases, vomiting and shaking are more likely to occur during or after stressful or exciting events.

Prolonged Shaking

Even if it appears to be a false alarm, shaking for prolonged periods, especially when combined with symptoms such as vomiting, can be an indicator of a severe health issue.

Loss of Appetite

Nausea may even result in your dog shivering and not eating while showing symptoms like sickness, vomiting, and restlessness.

Fever

Signs of fever in dogs include shaking, lethargy, not eating, vomiting, nasal discharge, and coughing. A rectal temperature above 102.5°F typically indicates a fever in dogs.

Additional Symptoms

Shaking and trembling in dogs may be accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea, limping, or a noticeable change in behavior. It’s important to notice these accompanying symptoms as they can provide clues to the underlying cause.

Vomit Appearance

Dog vomit can contain yellow bile or partially digested dog food, and it usually smells sour. Vomiting may occur directly after eating or anytime thereafter.

What To Do If Your Dog Is Vomiting and Shaking

If your dog is vomiting and shaking, it’s crucial to monitor their symptoms closely and seek veterinary assistance immediately, as these could be signs of a serious health issue.

Monitor Your Dog’s Condition

Keep a close eye on your dog’s behavior and physical condition. Note any changes such as loss of appetite, lethargy, or changes in stool consistency. These details can be helpful for the vet to diagnose the problem accurately.

Prevent Dehydration

Vomiting can lead to dehydration, especially if it’s prolonged. Ensure your dog has access to fresh water at all times. However, don’t force them to drink as it may lead to more vomiting.

Don’t Induce More Vomiting

If your dog has ingested something toxic, you might think inducing more vomiting is beneficial. However, this is not always the case and can sometimes cause more harm. It’s best to consult with a vet before taking such actions.

Seek Veterinary Assistance

If the vomiting and shaking persist for more than half an hour or if your dog displays additional symptoms, seek veterinary assistance immediately. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, your dog may need emergency care.

Follow Veterinary Advice

Once you’ve consulted with a vet, follow their advice strictly. This may include dietary changes, medication, or even hospitalization in severe cases.

How To Treat Vomiting and Shaking in Dogs

Treating vomiting and shaking in dogs involves monitoring their symptoms, providing supportive care, and seeking professional veterinary advice for appropriate treatment.

Monitor Symptoms

Keep a close eye on your dog’s condition, observing any changes in behavior or physical signs. This includes monitoring the frequency of vomiting, noting the appearance of the vomit, and watching for other symptoms like diarrhea, loss of appetite, or lethargy.

Provide Supportive Care

Ensure that your dog has access to fresh water at all times to prevent dehydration, which can be a risk with frequent vomiting. However, avoid forcing them to drink as this could lead to more vomiting.

Seek Veterinary Care

If the symptoms persist for more than half an hour or if your dog exhibits other concerning signs, such as listlessness or excessive salivation, it’s crucial to seek veterinary care immediately. Your vet will be able to diagnose the cause of the symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Medication

Based on your vet’s diagnosis, they may prescribe medication to control the vomiting and shaking. In some cases, injections may be the most effective route for administering medication.

Dietary Management

Once the vomiting has stopped, you can slowly reintroduce your dog’s normal diet. Make sure they are drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Follow-up Care

Follow your vet’s advice closely and make sure to attend any follow-up appointments. This will allow your vet to monitor your dog’s condition and adjust treatment as necessary.

How To Prevent Vomiting and Shaking in Dogs

Preventing vomiting and shaking in dogs involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and routine veterinary check-ups.

Maintain a Balanced Diet

Feeding your dog a balanced, nutritious diet can help prevent health issues that may cause symptoms like vomiting and shaking. Avoid feeding them human food, especially foods that are toxic to dogs such as chocolate, grapes, onions, and certain artificial sweeteners.

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise not only keeps your dog physically fit but also helps reduce anxiety, which can sometimes cause shaking and vomiting. However, make sure the activity level is appropriate for your dog’s age, breed, and health condition.

Routine Vet Check-ups

Routine veterinary check-ups can help prevent many health issues. Your vet can provide vaccinations, perform routine blood tests, and detect potential health problems before they become serious.

Avoid Stressful Situations

If your dog tends to get anxious or stressed in certain situations – which can lead to vomiting and shaking – try to avoid these triggers. This could be anything from loud noises to being left alone for long periods.

Hydration

Always ensure your dog has access to fresh, clean water. Dehydration can lead to serious health issues, including nausea and shaking.

Proper Medication

If your dog is on medication, make sure to administer it as prescribed by the vet. Incorrect dosage or sudden cessation of medication can lead to adverse effects, including shaking and vomiting. If you have trouble administering medication, get a pill gun.

What To Do If My Dog Is Shaking and Throwing Up Bile?

If your dog is shaking and throwing up bile, it indicates an overall imbalance in their physical condition that could be due to anxiety, fear, excitement, ingestion of a toxin, or a food allergy.

It’s crucial to monitor their health closely and consider changing their diet or feeding routine if necessary.

Your dog’s vomiting and shaking together are signs that something is disrupting their normal bodily functions.

This could be emotional stress like anxiety, fear, or excitement, but it could also be a physical issue.

For instance, if they’ve ingested something harmful like chocolate, medication, or toxic plants, they might throw up yellow bile as a reaction.

How Many Times Should a Dog Throw Up Before Going To The Vet?

If your dog vomits multiple times in one day or for more than one day in a row, it’s advisable to seek prompt attention from a veterinarian.

Vomiting in dogs can be a common occurrence due to various causes such as dietary indiscretion, ingestion of foreign bodies, or gastrointestinal upset.

However, if your dog vomits multiple times within a day or continues to vomit for more than one day consecutively, it is a cause for concern and warrants immediate veterinary attention.

This frequent vomiting could indicate serious underlying health issues like pancreatitis, kidney disease, or a blockage in the digestive tract.

In some situations, you might be advised to withhold food for 12-24 hours if the vomiting has ceased.

Home Remedies For Shaking and Throwing Up In Dogs

If your dog is shaking and throwing up, it could be due to various reasons such as dietary indiscretion, ingestion of toxic substances, or underlying health issues. Some home remedies may help ease these symptoms, but professional veterinary advice should always be sought.

Ginger

Ginger is known for its antiemetic properties, which help in reducing nausea and vomiting. It can be given in the form of a pet-safe treat, tea, or by boiling fresh ginger root in water. Besides, it also has anti-spasmodic effects that can help settle an upset stomach.

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil can provide relief from nausea leading to motion sickness in dogs. This can be done by putting lavender oil on a cotton ball and leaving it in an area where your dog can breathe in the scent.

Chamomile and Peppermint

Chamomile and peppermint are two more herbs that can help manage nausea in dogs. Both herbs are anti-spasmodic, which means they can help reduce spasms in the digestive tract that may cause vomiting.

Hydration

Ensuring your dog stays hydrated is crucial, especially if they’re vomiting. To prevent dehydration, your dog will need to drink more than usual to replace what they’ve lost through vomiting.

Medication

While home remedies can offer relief, there might be cases where medication is necessary. Maropitant citrate (Cerenia) is a commonly used antiemetic medication for dogs that helps stop vomiting. However, it’s important to note that medication should only be administered under the guidance of a vet.

FAQs

Q: Should I be concerned if my dog is vomiting?

A: Vomiting in dogs may be a sign of several health issues, ranging from a minor upset stomach to a more serious condition. If your dog is vomiting persistently or exhibits other worrying symptoms, it is recommended to seek veterinary care.

Q: Why is my dog shivering?

A: Dogs may shiver or tremble due to various reasons including anxiety, fear, exposure to cold temperatures, pain, or underlying medical conditions. If the shaking persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consulting a veterinarian is advised.

Q: Can certain foods or toxins cause vomiting and shaking in dogs?

A: Yes, certain foods can be toxic to dogs and may cause gastrointestinal upset leading to vomiting and shaking. Additionally, ingesting toxic substances such as household chemicals or certain plants can also result in these symptoms.

Q: What are some other possible causes of vomiting and shaking in dogs?

A: Apart from toxins and gastrointestinal issues, other possible causes of vomiting and shaking in dogs include viral or bacterial infections, pancreatitis, liver disease, internal organ obstructions, and certain medications.

Q: Should I contact a veterinarian if my dog is vomiting and shaking?

A: Yes, it is advisable to contact a veterinarian if your dog is vomiting and shaking. They will be able to evaluate your dog’s condition and recommend appropriate diagnostic tests or treatments.

Q: Can anxiety or stress cause a dog to vomit and shake?

A: Yes, anxiety or stress can manifest in physical symptoms such as vomiting and shaking in dogs. If you suspect that your dog’s symptoms are related to anxiety, discussing the situation with a veterinarian can help determine the best course of action.

Q: Are there specific dog breeds that are more prone to vomiting and shaking?

A: While certain dog breeds may have a predisposition to certain health conditions, vomiting and shaking can affect dogs of any breed. It is important to monitor your dog’s health and seek veterinary care if necessary, regardless of their breed.

Q: What should I do if my dog is vomiting and shows signs of dehydration?

A: If your dog is vomiting and exhibiting signs of dehydration such as dry gums or excessive thirst, it is crucial to contact a veterinarian immediately. Dehydration can worsen a dog’s condition, so prompt medical attention is necessary.