As a pet owner, the health of your animals is likely among your top priorities. If they ever experience vomiting or diarrhea, you might wonder what to do and whether you should take them to a veterinarian. Here's how to respond if you notice these symptoms and when your furry friend might need veterinary care. 

What to Do If Your Pets Experience Vomiting or Diarrhea

On occasion, your pets may regurgitate their food or have loose stool. This is fairly common and, if it occurs infrequently, typically no cause for concern. If there is any chance that your pet ate something potentially toxic, please don't wait. Call Animal Poison Control and seek your vet's help immediately. But if your dog or cat has no other symptoms and otherwise exhibits normal behavior, you can try skipping their next meal to allow their digestive system to settle. For cats, if symptoms improve, give them their usual food after skipping a meal. For dogs, after the skipped meal, provide them with something bland to eat. Items such as chicken and rice or scrambled eggs are often light and easy on the stomach. If symptoms improve afterwards, you may feed them their normal food. 

When to See a Veterinarian 

If your dog or cat still experiences symptoms, there might be a more serious underlying issue. Pets can vomit or have diarrhea after ingesting a toxin. For instance, ethylene glycol, which is the active ingredient in antifreeze, is a toxic substance that can be fatal if consumed. Additionally, chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to canines. Certain mushrooms can cause liver damage in dogs, and lilies cause kidney damage in cats.

Ingesting a foreign object, such as a small toy or piece of clothing, can irritate the digestive system, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. If the object creates an obstruction in the GI tract, a veterinary care provider might need to surgically remove it. 

Additionally, parasites such as hookworms and giardia can enter the digestive tract, potentially causing regurgitation and loose stool. Illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, and cancer may lead to repeated vomiting and diarrhea. Your pets may also lose weight, have a fever, and experience lethargy as a result of parasites, diseases, and infections. 

If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog or cat to the veterinarian. They can take xrays, do blood work, and analyze stool samples to determine the cause of vomiting and diarrhea. Your veterinary care provider will recommend the appropriate course of treatment to manage symptoms and get your furry friend feeling better. 

If your dog or cat experiences abnormal vomiting or diarrhea, take them to Montgomery Animal Hospital. This veterinarian provides diagnostics, medical treatments, and surgery to animals throughout Cincinnati and surrounding areas. Call (513) 791-7912 to book an appointment for veterinary care, and visit the website to find out how this animal hospital can promote the wellness of your pets.