Brown vomit in dogs: everything you need to know
These can be produced by the ingestion of objects that obstruct the animal's intestine; can also be due to bleeding ulcers or diseases
Any guardian will know that dogs are quite prone to emptying their stomach contents as soon as they start to feel unwell. This is natural to some extent, but pay attention to the color, frequency, consistency, and other characteristics of the regurgitated fluid. Here we tell you everything you need to know about brown vomiting in dogs.
The coloration of the vomited material can tell us a lot about the general health of the animal. For example, a red fluid indicates the presence of internal bleeding, while a green fluid usually shows that the dog has been eating plant matter. Do not stop reading to learn more about the brownish hue in your dog's regurgitation.
What is vomiting in dogs?
The term vomiting refers to the expulsion of partially digested food from the stomach through the mouth, passing through the throat and other structures. It should not be confused with regurgitation : vomiting is something that comes from "inside", while a dog that regurgitates is expelling elements that have not yet passed through its stomach and are much more whole.
As indicated by professional studies , the general frequency of vomiting in dogs is 1 for every 10.6 dogs in the interval of one week. Simply put, it's extremely common for your pet to vomit for whatever reason: stress, eating spoiled food, intolerance, illness, and more.
Although vomiting is a common symptom of many illnesses, it should not be overlooked . In some cases, your dog may simply be vomiting because he ate something inappropriate. However, the appearance of brown vomit in dogs can be an indication that something much more serious is going on.
Causes of brown vomit in dogs
Listed below are some of the most common causes of your dog vomiting brown liquid. In any case, keep in mind that some of the causes of brown vomiting are more serious than others.
For example, bleeding ulcers and intestinal obstructions must be treated immediately. If your dog is passing brown fluid due to something he ate or a source of bleeding, the severity of the fluid will depend on what he ingested or how much and where he is bleeding.
Brown vomiting in dogs can have a number of causes and can happen to any dog. Although it can be alarming to discover that your dog is passing brown fluid, in most cases the dog can recover without permanent side effects, as long as he receives the proper treatment.
Ulcers
An ulcer or sore is any injury produced in a tissue that causes the loss of substances. In this case, we refer to injuries that occur in the gastric environment. In addition to the brown vomit in dogs, this condition causes melena (digested blood present in the feces), lack of appetite, abdominal pain and even peritonitis.
If your dog develops an ulcer and begins to bleed, the physiological imbalance at the stomach level could cause vomiting. In case the ulcerations are located in the upper part of the intestine or in the stomach wall, the vomit could turn brown, since the blood would be digested by stomach acid .
Ulcers usually arise from the intake of certain drugs, from severe gastritis, from swelling and from many other causes.
intestinal obstructions
A blockage in the intestines also often leads to vomiting of brown fluid. The intestines can become blocked due to swallowing an object that cannot pass through the intestines. Some common inedible items found in the dog's stomach are coins, bones, buttons, socks and underwear, toys, and marbles.
Obstructions can also develop from ingestion of bone, rawhide, or a growth in the abdomen. Items will move through the gastrointestinal tract in about 10 to 24 hours, and signs of an obstruction will occur within 24 hours after ingestion.
Feeding
On the other hand, you have to take care that the reason why your dog suffers from brown vomit is not something that he ate, since it can be something as simple as the fact that he has ingested something brown . If he has eaten chocolate, dirt or feces, the answer is self-evident.
On the other hand, the ingestion of a rodenticide, insecticide or other chemical compound may have caused gastric bleeding in the dog. In these cases, the vomit will also be brown, but the situation will be considered much more serious (because of poisoning).
Bleeding anywhere in the digestive tract
Another reason could be bleeding in the digestive tract , which can be caused by a bleeding tumor in the upper part of the small intestine or stomach, blood from gum or tooth disease, as well as a blood clotting disorder. blood level. As you can see, not only ulcers cause bleeding in this organic environment.
A warning sign of excessive blood loss is pale gums . If you notice lethargy, weakness, pale gums and excessive blood loss in your dog, they are most likely warning signs of something serious and should be checked out immediately.
What to do with brown vomit in dogs?
In general, stomach ulcers can be easily managed medically, but if they have perforated the stomach lining, your dog may require hospitalization and surgery . All this approach will be accompanied by antacid medications and protectors of the gastric mucosa to prevent the damage from getting worse.
If stomach ulcers are severe, even if they haven't yet perforated the stomach wall, your dog may also need hospital care, as well as blood transfusions, intravenous fluid replacement therapies, and nutritional and electrolyte support. This is also true if the cause is an impaction or severe intoxication.
In all cases, foods that are highly digestible can help reduce irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract once the worst of the symptoms have passed. The best way to alleviate the damage is to feed your dog small meals several times a day. Also, your pet should always have access to water, unless your vet recommends otherwise.
In case the causative agent of vomiting in dogs is an obstruction, surgery can be avoided and the foreign object can be removed by endoscopy. If tissue death occurs, called necrosis, it will be necessary to remove the affected parts of the intestine along with the object. Lastly, activated carbon and stomach lavage can be of great help in severe poisoning.
How to prevent brown vomiting?
The best way to prevent intestinal blockage is to monitor your pet and take action if you notice he's eating something he should n't . Do not allow the dog to have raw skin, cooked bones, toys and unsafe objects at his disposal.
Only allow your dog to have toys that are larger than his throat, as they will be impossible for him to swallow. Since it can often contribute to stomach irritation, try to eliminate stress, such as loud noises, from your dog's environment. If you notice that he has swallowed something, your vet may suggest inducing vomiting in a potential way to prevent an obstruction from forming.
It can be beneficial to teach your dog the command to drop and let go if you catch him eating something he shouldn't. Diet modifications, such as the introduction of highly digestible foods that can reduce inflammation and irritation , can help your dog avoid stomach ulcers.