In dogs, the age at which they could be called seniors or old depending on their size. For instance, small dogs are seniors when they are 11-12 years old. For medium-sized dogs, the age limit is 10 years. Large dogs reach old age when they are 8, whereas their giant counterparts transition to seniors by the time they are 7.
Like humans, dogs, too, begin to get a sensitive stomach as they grow old. They lose the ability to digest anything under the sun like they used to in their puppy days and growing years.
If they’ve had too much of the table scarps or have undergone a change in diet, it could take a toll on their health. The outcome could be health issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and so on.
Why Is My Old Dog Throwing Up? Possible Reasons
If you find your old dog throwing up, there could be various reasons behind the same. Perhaps his gastrointestinal tract has been infected.
He may have even ingested some foreign substance that he shouldn’t have. It could even be a case of heat stroke. Or, there may have been a change in his diet. The reasons are umpteen. Let’s look at them one after the other.
1. Infection of the Gastrointestinal Tract
Gastroenteritis, which inflames the gastrointestinal tract, can occur in dogs of all ages – be it seniors or puppies. It can be triggered due to a viral or bacterial infection, a change in diet, the side effect of a medication, and so on.
Besides vomiting, you may also observe other signs in your dogs. They include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and overall discomfort. Senior dogs have a weakened immune system. This makes them susceptible to gastrointestinal infections.
2. Ingestion of Any Foreign Bodies
Dogs have this weird habit of putting everything they see around into their mouth. Though this is more common in puppies, dogs of any age could do it. Maybe out of curiosity, to satisfy their eagerness. They pick up anything they get their hands on and pop it inside their mouth. It could be your child’s toy, garbage, and so on.
Well, if your puppy had a narrow escape when he picked up a bone from the trash can. Then don’t expect the same would happen with your old dog as well. His immune system isn’t as strong as your pup’s.
So it could trigger bouts of vomiting and result in pain and discomfort. Hence, when you spot your otherwise healthy senior vomiting out of the blue.
There are chances that a foreign object has obstructed his intestinal tract. If this is the case, then it’s a medical emergency that needs a vet’s intervention at the earliest.
3. Dietary Changes
As already mentioned, that change in food pattern does trigger digestive disturbances. It doesn’t occur only in seniors but in dogs of all ages, especially if the changes are made abruptly.
Well, older dogs have increasingly sensitive stomachs than their younger counterparts. That is why any sudden food changes could affect them more.
Besides throwing up, your dog will display other symptoms that point to food intolerance. These include flatulence, lessened appetite, weight loss, excessive scratching or itching, and abdominal pain.
You will know that your dog has abdominal pain through his gestures. He will appear restless, not sit in a particular posture, and have a bloating abdomen.
4. Liver Problems
One of the main symptoms of liver problems in dogs is diarrhea and vomiting. Your dog will also appear thirsty quite often and show an increased urgency to pee. The other signs include a reduced appetite, weight loss, irritability, depression, and lethargy.
In severe cases, his eyes and tongue will also appear yellow. So if your dog is vomiting now and then and displays any of these symptoms as well, chances are that there’s a problem with his liver. A vet’s consultation is needed at the earliest.
5. Kidney Disease
Vomiting regularly could also mean that your dog’s kidneys have been affected. In such cases, he won’t just vomit. There’ll be other symptoms as well. He’ll be inclined to drink excessive amounts of water.
Your dog will also suffer from urinary incontinence and urinate on the floor quite often. He will even experience weight loss, vomit frequently, have bad breath, and be less interested in his food.
6. Inflamed Gallbladder
If your dog has gallbladder disease, then too he will vomit a lot. Your dog will also not show too much interest in eating. He will have abdominal pains, and his eyes and skin could turn yellow.
All of these indicate gallbladder disease. So, if your dog is vomiting and shows all or some of the symptoms mentioned above, the chances are that his gallbladder may have been affected.
7. Reaction to Medications
There are certain medicines like anti-inflammatory medications, blood pressure medicines, and medications for topical and oral fleas that might lead to an upset stomach and vomiting.
If your dog’s body isn’t responding well to a particular medication, he will even display symptoms of allergy like a runny nose, rashes on his body, and intense itching.
8. Heat Stroke
A heat stroke can affect dogs of any age. Yet it is important to know that senior dogs have an increased sensitivity to the extremities of temperature – be it intense heat or chilling cold. So if your old dog is exposed to a lot of heat., he could be at risk of stroke, leading to vomiting alongside other symptoms.
These include losing balance, moving in circles, losing body control, seizures, and so on. If your senior has any lung or heart disease, he will be at a greater risk of stroke.
9. Gastrointestinal Neoplasia
It is a cancer that affects the gastrointestinal tract. When a dog has this condition, his food will not be digested properly, which in turn leads to vomiting and constipation/diarrhea. Your dog will also undergo weight or appetite loss.
If fact, you could also notice that your dog’s vomit may appear blood-tinged or be of similar coloration to coffee grounds. This is due to the bleeding caused due to tumor ulceration.
Vomiting Vs Regurgitation
When talking about your old dog throwing up undigested contents, it is essential to know the difference between vomiting and regurgitation. This will lessen your worries each time your dog throws up.
Vomiting involves the ejection of the contents of your dog’s upper intestine and stomach. In the case of regurgitation, the contents in your dog’s esophagus are ejected. Moreover, when your dog vomits, the contents that he throws up seem digested. Whereas, if your dog is regurgitating, then whatever is throwing up is the undigested food that has not yet traveled down the stomach.
While vomiting could be a cause for concern, regurgitation, in most cases, is harmless. Your dog may regurgitate if there is an obstruction while swallowing or if he has rushed with his food.
What to Do When an Old Dog Is Throwing Up?
When your old dog is throwing up, you must handle him with care and patience. Do not panic, as that could stress you and your dog as well. Here’re a few things that you can do when you see your old dog throwing up undigested contents.
1. Stop Food for a While
Refrain from giving your food for at least a day after he has vomited. This will help to clear his digestive system. Giving your dog solid food after he has just thrown up may make matters worst and cause him to vomit again.
2. Keep Your Dog Hydrated
You should withhold food for a while, but not water, as that will make him dehydrated. But, make sure that you provide your dog water in small and measured amounts. Excessive water consumption could trigger vomiting and make matters worse for your dog.
If you have a senior, then you’ll have to take extra care of his water intake, as he is more prone to dehydration. Instead of water, offering ice cubes will be a better way to keep your dog hydrated and also prevent him from overconsuming water.
3. Put Your Dog On A Bland Diet
If your dog doesn’t vomit anymore and looks fine after a day, you could resume food. But make sure to put him on a bland diet comprising rice and boiled chicken. You have to maintain such a diet for a couple of days till your dog’s stomach gets better.
If your dog feels fine in a few days, you can go back to his previous diet, though be slow and gradual in introducing the normal food to your dog. If vomiting recurs, then you need to talk to the vet and perhaps make alterations to your dog’s diet.
When to Call the Vet?
It is always better to consult a vet even if your dog has had a mild attack of vomiting, which could be one or between two and three times in 24 hours. Remember, you are handling a senior dog. So, the slightest alteration in his health needs to be addressed at the earliest.
However, some owners often try remedies at home at first to help their dogs feel better. Yet, if your dog is showing the following symptoms, do not delay in consulting a vet at the earliest.
- If your dog continues to throw up after food has been withheld or if he has recurring episodes of vomiting.
- If there is blood in your dog’s vomit
- If your dog is throwing up and has a distended abdomen
- If his gums, eyes, and skin appear yellow
- If your dog has diarrhea and appears lethargic
- When your dog tries to vomit but is unable to eject anything
All of these indicate an underlying medical condition requiring immediate treatment. The vet will examine your dog physically and then start treatment based on the severity of your canine’s symptoms. You should prepare yourself to answer all that you are asked at the vet’s office. Like, if your dog started vomiting suddenly or if he has been throwing up for a while.
You should also tell your doctor if your dog is showing other symptoms as well alongside vomiting. This will help the vet to treat effectively. He may advise any, all, or some of the following tests based on the severity of your dog:
- Bloodwork
- Fecal Test
- Biopsy
- X-ray
- Endoscopy
- Ultrasound
FAQ’s
What could be the reason if your senior dog vomits bile?
The main reason why your dog (irrespective of age) vomits bile is an empty stomach. In fact, there must have been a significant gap between his meals. Perhaps he had his supper early and breakfast late.
This could lead to a bile formation. Making alterations in his meal pattern may help. It is best to consult a vet, as the digestive system of senior dogs isn’t as strong as puppies.
Why is your senior dog throwing up white foam?
Your dog may vomit white foam due to several reasons. These include acid reflux, indigestion, heat stroke, bloating, and pancreatitis. Dogs could throw up white foam when they have kennel cough, mistaken for vomiting.
Conclusion
A senior dog at home means extra care and comfort from your end. You should be careful about what he eats. Make sure you keep leftovers and table scraps away from his reach. Also, ensure that he doesn’t have access to the trash cans or pick up anything from the garbage bag.
Moreover, to avoid any incidence of heat stroke, make sure you do not allow your dog outdoors when it is too hot outside. Taking proper care of your senior dog will help him spend his latter years comfortably.
Elena Gherman is a highly skilled and knowledgeable animal care expert. At the start of her career, she gained practical expertise with multiple animals. In addition to that, she works as a DVM veterinary editor for Joy Pet Products, which focuses on offering reliable information on pet health and wellbeing. She meticulously reviews each piece of writing before it is published to make sure pet owners get the most precise and updated information possible.