Puppy Problems: Vomiting and Diarrhea
Puppy’s vomit because their stomachs are inflamed, which is called gastritis. This often happens when they eat grass or food that has spoiled. It will also occur if they have ingested something that is inedible.
There are two basic types of gastritis; uncomplicated and complicated. Uncomplicated gastritis is when your puppy remains alert and doesn’t have a fever. This type is best treated without medication. Complicated gastritis is when your puppy vomits for more that twenty four hours and has a high fever, or if he becomes unresponsive or depressed. These symptoms are severe and need immediate veterinary attention.
If your puppy begins to vomit, his digestive tract will require rest. Don’t allow him to eat or drink anything until vomiting has stopped for at least six hours. Then, allow him small amounts of water frequently. If he starts to vomit again, take him off all food and water for another six hours. Don’t be upset. Your puppy’s stomach just needs time to heal.
When you offer water again, give only small amounts. Small breed dogs should be offered a teaspoon of water at frequent intervals, while large breeds can be given two to three tablespoons. Over the next few hours, increase the amount of water given. If your puppy keeps the water down, larger amounts can be given, or offer your puppy some chicken soup or liquid gelatin.
Once your puppy is able to keep liquids down for at least twelve hours, begin offering him small amounts of food. The best diet for a puppy that is recuperating from stomach upset is boiled fowl and rice. Be sure to remove all of the fat and skin from the chicken or turkey. If you don’t have rice, boil or bake a potato to mix with the rice. This is called a bland diet.
Offer small amounts of the food to your puppy at regular intervals. Small breeds should only be offered a half teaspoon, while you can offer larger breeds a full teaspoon. Increase the amount of food slowly over the next twenty four hours until your puppy is satiated. If vomiting re-occurs, start at the beginning, giving him nothing for at least six hours.
If your puppy keeps the bland diet food down as quantities are increased, begin mixing the fowl and rice with his regular food. Instead of feeding him once or twice a day, divide his daily feedings into four or five servings. Gradually decrease the bland food over the next two or three days until he is back on his regular diet.
Diarrhea is caused by inflammation in the intestines, and can occur either separately or combined with vomiting. As long as your puppy remains alert, there is no immediate emergency. Unless vomiting accompanies the diarrhea, continue feeding your puppy his regular amount of food, in the form of a bland diarrhea diet. Divide it into small, more frequent feedings and administer Pepto Bismal every four to six hours. Small breed puppies get one-half teaspoon while larger breeds get one to two teaspoons. A bland diet for puppies with diarrhea includes one potato or rice mixed with cottage cheese on the ratio of two cups of potato or rice with three quarters of a cup of cottage cheese.
Puppies recuperate from vomiting and diarrhea quickly. If the problems are prolonged, or if you have reason to be overly concerned, call your veterinarian. Puppies can dehydrate from vomiting and diarrhea, but that is not usually the case. Your vet will be able to put your fears to rest, or ask you to bring your puppy into his office for a consultation.