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Many things can find their way into your dog’s stomach. Most people have found their dogs eating something they shouldn’t. Others take their dogs to the veterinarian only to find a small toy lodged in their dog’s digestive system. Sometimes, dogs get upset stomachs or stomach pain for reasons that aren’t as obvious. Here are some reasons for your dog's upset stomach, and how you can help. Dogs get upset stomachs for many of the same reasons that humans do. Your dog might eat something they shouldn’t. They might eat too fast and then go outside and run around. Some dogs are more prone to medical conditions than others. Parasites, bacteria, gas build-up, or constipation can upset your dog's stomach. Numerous conditions can cause your dog to appear to have an upset stomach. In addition to those already discussed, these include: Gas. Gas is naturally built up in your dog’s body as they digest their food. If they cannot pass it for some reason, it can increase and cause pain. Constipation is also a condition that dogs share with people. If they are constipated, their stool backs up along with the gas that is created and causes discomfort or pain. Inflammation and obstructions. Dogs love to eat things that might not be good for them. They often ingest pieces of toys, human foods with spices, or any number of things that are usually bad. If your dog eats something they shouldn’t, it might cause inflammation in the lining of their stomach. If a toy or something that your dog eats gets caught in their intestines, they won’t be able to digest food. Obstructions. Some gastrointestinal obstructions can happen in dogs that are not caused by something they ate. For example, intussusception is a condition where an intestine telescopes into itself, causing a blockage. Parvovirus. Parvovirus is a very contagious virus that dogs can pass to each other through direct contact with each other, feces, or people. Bloating. Bloating can result from a very severe condition in your dog. A dog’s stomach can stretch from gas that is trapped. Gastric dilation volvulus (GDV) happens when your dog’s stomach twists when it is stretched. The blood supply is blocked off from other internal organs, causing a medical emergency for your dog. Cancer. Digestive system cancer is a term used for any cancer that can form in your dog’s stomach or intestine. This is a rare condition, but stomach pain is one of the first signs. Ulcers. Dogs can get ulcers in their stomach if the lining is damaged. Ulcers can be the result of inflammation, medicines, or anything else that might damage their stomach lining. Bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease refers to a condition that humans can develop as well. Your dog’s bowels can become inflamed for no apparent reason. This causes them to display symptoms that are similar to many other conditions. Malabsorption. Your dog may not be able to digest their food correctly. This is called malabsorption. It’s a challenging condition to diagnose because it has similar symptoms to other conditions. It’s typically caused by a deficiency in enzymes released by the pancreas. Motion sickness. If you’re taking your dog for a ride or rocking them in a chair, they might not be used to the motion. Dogs can get motion sick from unfamiliar motions. If your dog has an upset stomach or an issue that makes you think they have a stomach or gastrointestinal issue, they can display some or all of the following symptoms. These symptoms are grouped by cause to show you their similarities:
Tests vary for each of the conditions that your dog might have. Your veterinarian will do a physical exam and take an X-ray if needed. They might decide that blood tests are the only way to figure out what’s going on. Ultrasounds are also used to diagnose stomach problems in dogs. If your dog is passing stool with blood in it, bring in a sample for the veterinarian to test. The treatment for your dog’s upset stomach depends on the condition your veterinarian identifies. Parvovirus. If they have parvovirus, they will need to be isolated from other dogs and require hospitalization. The veterinarian can give your dog intravenous fluids to rehydrate them and maintain their system's ability to fight off the virus. Veterinarians might prescribe antibiotics to reduce any bacterial infections that result from the sickness. Inflammation. For inflamed stomach tissue and conditions that cause a lot of vomiting, veterinarians generally prescribe short-term fasting and lots of fluid intake to make sure your dog is hydrated. Other conditions. Bloating, cancer, and obstructions require immediate surgical procedures that can range from open surgery to less invasive procedures to remove obstructions. On rare occasions, an ulcer might need to be removed surgically if it has caused a perforation in part of the gastrointestinal tract. Common treatment. Vets often suggest a bland diet to treat a dog's upset stomach. Rice and chicken, or a more specific diet, removes the irritating substances from food to help your dog’s digestive system rebalance itself. Veterinarians will treat your dog’s symptoms with medication while they are determining the cause of their stomach problems. Probiotics are a common prescription for a dog’s tummy troubles. If your dog appears to have something wrong with their stomach, call your veterinarian for guidance. They might only have a stomach ache, but it could be something that needs to be treated by a veterinarian quickly.
SOURCES: American Kennel Club: “A Survival Guide for Dog Diarrhea," “Bloat (or GDV) in Dogs — What It Is and How it’s Treated," “Car Sickness in Dogs," “Five Foods to Feed Your Dog When He’s Sick.” MERCK MANUAL: “Canine Parvovirus,” “Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines in Dogs”, “Gastric Dilation and Volvulus in Small Animals," "Gastrointestinal Ulcers in Small Animals.”
When you have an upset stomach, you probably reach for ginger ale or crackers to settle your tummy. But what should you do when your dog’s stomach is out of sorts? Here’s some information about the causes and symptoms of upset stomach in dogs and tips for how to make your pup feel better with natural remedies. Common Causes of Upset Stomach in DogsThere are many reasons your dog may have an upset stomach, though there’s one common cause: they ate something they shouldn’t have, says Kathy Backus, DVM, at Holistic Veterinary Services in Kaysville, Utah. “Dogs are curious like kids; they’re always putting things in their mouth,” she says. “Vomiting and diarrhea are signs that a dog’s body is trying to expel something that shouldn’t be in their system. In a healthy dog, it’s a protective mechanism of the body that’s totally normal.” These are a few (of many) things that can trigger an upset stomach in dogs:
Symptoms of Upset Stomach in DogsThe most common signs of upset stomach in dogs are diarrhea and vomiting. If your dog is nauseous, you may also see him eat grass to soothe his stomach or try to induce vomiting, says Jody Bearman, DVM at Anshen Veterinary Acupuncture, Madison, Wisconsin. Watch for other signs of upset stomach in dogs, such as:
When to Call Your VetMonitor your pup’s symptoms. If your dog is consistently uncomfortable, or if the signs worsen at any point, call your veterinarian. Watch for these signs:
These can all be signs of something more serious, including pancreatitis, stomach bloating, a severe allergic reaction, or internal parasites. If you realize that your dog has eaten something he shouldn’t have—a plant, food, toy, or chemical—you should seek immediate veterinary care. If your primary veterinarian is unavailable, call your local emergency veterinary hospital. They will be able to advise whether your pet needs to be seen or whether you can continue to monitor him at home. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control hotline at 888-426-4435 for a fee. They can also determine a poison’s level of toxicity and recommended care for your dog. It is crucial to consult with your veterinarian before administering any home remedies to soothe your pup’s tummy troubles. If your veterinarian recommends at-home monitoring, these are a few ideas you can ask them about trying while you are at home with your dog. FastingWhen your dog’s stomach is trying to get rid of something, it can be helpful to stop putting more things in their stomach for 12-24 hours, Dr. Backus says. “If the gastrointestinal (GI) system is having a tough time, you don’t want it to digest things.” Fasting may seem simple enough, but it’s important to speak with your veterinarian first because some dogs (particularly small breeds or those with prior health conditions) cannot tolerate fasting as well as others. If your veterinarian does recommend fasting, ask whether they would like you to start a bland diet (and what they recommend) after the fasting period is complete. Ice CubesWhen your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, you want them to stay hydrated, but giving him too much water may make his stomach even more upset, Dr. Backus says. Monitoring your dog’s water intake and discouraging gulping is important. Offer your dog ice chips to help encourage drinking. If your dog can keep down small quantities of water or ice chips, you can gradually increase the amount and how often you are offering the water and ice. Canned PumpkinWhen fighting indigestion and upset stomach in dogs, 100% canned pumpkin is a favorite of many holistic veterinarians. “It has a low glycemic index, so it slowly absorbs, which helps with upset stomach and digestion,” Dr. Bearman says. Make sure to get 100% canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix, as you don’t want to feed your dog spices and other ingredients, she says. Check that there are no ingredients listed other than pumpkin (such as sugar or sugar substitutes). According to Dr. Bearman, smaller dogs (approximately 5 pounds) can be fed one-half teaspoon of canned pumpkin, while larger dogs (approximately 75 pounds) can be fed 1 tablespoon. Is Upset Stomach in Dogs a Sign of Food Allergies?An upset stomach every once in a while can be normal in a dog, but if it happens often, it could signal that something is wrong in their GI tract, says Randy Aronson, DVM, of P.A.W.S. Veterinary Center in Tucson, Arizona. If digestive upset is a frequent occurrence for your dog, discuss the possibility of a food allergy with your veterinarian. When food allergies are diagnosed in dogs, it is often an allergy to a protein source, which is why a more “novel” protein (one that your dog has never eaten) may be recommended. There are many options on the market, but examples may include beef, buffalo, venison, or lamb. How to Help Prevent Upset Stomach in DogsTo help your dog maintain a healthy gut, consider giving them a prebiotic and probiotic, Dr. Aronson says. There are both prebiotics and probiotics that are made specifically for dogs, some of which are available over the counter. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if they have a particular brand recommendation. Always talk to your veterinarian first to find out the best course of action. Featured Image: Shutterstock/Igor Normann |