Hematemesis refers to the presence of a significant amount of blood in vomit. This write-up provides information on the contributing factors for hematemesis in dogs.
Hematemesis refers to the act of vomiting of blood. Dogs might vomit blood due to dietary intolerance or infections. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian at the earliest, as it could be indicative of a serious medical condition.
Contributing Factors
This condition could occur due to a wide range of reasons. These include:
◘ Parasitic infection
◘ Bleeding from a tumor in the gastrointestinal tract
◘ Presence of blood in the lungs due to a blood clotting disorder
◘ Gastritis
◘ Inflammatory bowel disease
◘ Ingestion of non-food items
◘ Stomach/esophagus/duodenum ulcers
◘ Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
A dog might throw up blood and bile due to overproduction of bile. Intestinal obstruction or peritonitis could be a contributing factor in case of canines affected by hematemesis and diarrhea. Canines could throw up blood on swallowing a splintered bone or consumption of rat poison.
Diagnosis
Consult a veterinarian, if the dog appears weak and lethargic, and is affected by:
◘ Diarrhea
◘ Nausea
◘ Belching
◘ Bloating
◘ Pain in the abdominal region
◘ Pale gums
◘ Loss of appetite.
Blood tests, X-ray examination, ultrasound, and endoscopy are some of the tests that can help diagnose the underlying cause.
Treatment and Precautionary Measures
Once the underlying cause of blood in vomit has been diagnosed, the vet will initiate the symptomatic treatment.
◘ Severe vomiting can lead to dehydration, which is why intravenous administration of fluids might be required to stabilize the condition of the dog.
◘ Sometimes, the problem could be caused due to a change in your dog’s diet. In that case, discontinue that diet, and provide your dog with a bland diet.
◘ Prostaglandin drugs may be prescribed by the vet in case of ulcers.
◘ If the presence of blood is due to bleeding gums, dental hygiene needs to be taken care of.
◘ Make sure that your dog doesn’t consume non-food items. Rat poison and other toxic substances must be kept out of their reach.
◘ In case, swallowing a splintered bone has caused this condition, a laxative will be used by the veterinarian to tackle the problem.
◘ Antibiotics might also be required to reduce the chances of an infection.
On a concluding note, make sure that you pay heed to anything that indicates that your pet is unwell. Consult a veterinarian at the earliest, if your pet has been coughing up or vomiting blood. The earlier the diagnosis, the better would be the chances of a speedy recovery. Do follow the advice of your veterinarian regarding the diet and aftercare.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a veterinarian.
