Seeing your pet dog vomiting is always a cause for concern, but seeing that your dog is vomiting yellow can be even more frightening. What does this symptom mean? Does my dog have something serious? Keep reading below for possible causes, additional symptoms, and helpful tips to prevent this from happening.
Note. During the writing of this article, different sources specialized in veterinary health were consulted, including the PetMD digital magazine, and the official website of the VCA Hospital.
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Why does my dog have yellow vomit?
Although it may seem strange, yellow vomit in dogs does not have to be such an alarming event. In the vast majority of cases, this yellow vomit or foam simply indicates that the dog has an empty stomach and needs to eat.
Many wonders: what is the yellow color? This color indicates, nothing more and nothing less, than the presence of bile, the yellow liquid that is produced in the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and released in the small intestine during digestion.
When there is an excess of bile, some of it can rise into the stomach, causing irritation and triggering bilious vomiting, especially when the dog has not eaten for several hours.
Bilious yellow vomit in dogs usually occurs early in the morning, before eating the first foods. This is known as “bilious vomiting syndrome.
This type of vomiting can also occur if the dog eats too much greasy food, drinks too much water, or eats more grass than usual. It should be noted that although bile almost always stains vomit yellow, other colors may also be seen, for example, dark green, brownish-yellow, or brown.
If your dog is healthy, eating well, and defecating normally, it may be a good idea to reduce the time between meals. This doesn’t mean you should increase the amount of food he eats throughout the day; the recommendation is to divide that same amount into smaller portions, but more frequently.
Now, a dog vomits yellow occasionally is usually considered normal; however, when it occurs frequently it could indicate that something is wrong.
Let’s look at some of the main causes of yellow vomit in dogs to be aware of …
1. Intestinal problems
It is quite common for dogs to suffer from irritation in the gastrointestinal tract. Something as simple as your pet’s food may be triggering the problem. Some dogs have difficulty digesting certain ingredients, such as grains and fillers. If you suspect that may be the cause, consider swapping your current meal for one that doesn’t contain grains, fillers, or by-products.
Likewise, it is advisable to take it to the veterinarian to verify if the dog has any type of food allergy.
What can help in these cases?
For starters, your vet may suggest a better brand of dog food, possibly a hypoallergenic product; Or it might direct you to adopt a higher fiber diet for a while, cutting out any kind of treats or treats. Probiotics can also help in these cases, as they help balance the population of beneficial bacteria in the intestine.
2. Pancreatic problems/pancreatitis
If your pet has chronic yellow vomit, it may be due to a condition in the pancreas. This is more common when the dog’s diet is very rich in fatty foods. In addition to vomiting, watch for abdominal pain, lethargy, and fever. Another symptom of pancreas problems, especially pancreatitis, is the expulsion of clear or white foam from the mouth.
What can help in these cases?
The first step will be to seek medical attention. If the vet determines that, for example, your dog has mild pancreatitis, then he may recommend fasting until the vomiting stops. This allows the pancreas to “rest” and recover its healthy function.
If necessary, medication may be prescribed to reduce pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, fluids may be given to reduce the risk of dehydration, or antibiotics may be used to combat infection.
3. Ingestion of a foreign body
Who doesn’t know that dogs love to eat things they shouldn’t? Swallowing a foreign body can be the cause of yellow vomit, especially if your pet likes to rummage through garbage or chew on toys.
Any object that gets caught in the stomach or intestines can cause a blockage, leading to a situation that needs to be addressed quickly. It is known that dogs with intestinal obstruction can keep expelling yellow foam for a while.
Other alarm symptoms are loss of appetite, dehydration, and abdominal pain. If you notice any of these signs, go to the vet as soon as possible.
What can help in these cases?
When the obstruction is small, the object will eventually move through the digestive system. If not, your vet will determine the safest and most effective way to remove the blockage. An endoscopy is commonly done to find the exact location of the blockage.
Depending on where it is located and how large the object is, surgery may or may not be necessary.
Although it is not always possible to prevent cases of intestinal blockage, it is recommended to reduce this risk by keeping small or chewable objects out of your dog’s reach.
Likewise, it is important to keep the garbage containers tightly closed and not to lose sight of the pet when it is walking outdoors.
4. Stomach ulcers
A dog that vomits yellow foam may be suffering from a stomach ulcer. This condition can affect both puppies and adult dogs. It is characterized by the presence of acute vomiting and weight loss, as well as fever, mucus in the stool, pale gums, swelling, and abdominal pain.
Dogs can also develop gastroduodenal ulcer disease. Typically, the ulcer forms in the stomach or in the part of the small intestine known as the duodenum. One of the main causes of this injury in dogs is accidental poisoning, but it can sometimes occur from a reaction to medications.
Treatment in such cases usually involves fluid administration to prevent dehydration. A blood transfusion may also be required if the injury has caused excessive bleeding, and surgery may be necessary for some dogs.
5. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
Like irritable bowel disease, gastroenteritis involves inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The condition can be due to different causes, including changes in diet, parasites, a virus, or a course of medication.
Gastroenteritis usually causes foamy yellow vomit ( especially on an empty stomach ) and diarrhea. Diarrhea usually occurs several times a day and in large volumes. Depending on the case, the dog may also show lethargy and loss of appetite.
What can help in these cases?
Your vet will likely recommend intravenous or liquid gastroenteritis treatment to rehydrate your dog and balance potassium, sodium, and other electrolyte levels. Antibiotics or antidiarrheal and anti-emetic medications may also be given.
6. Liver problems
Another one of the triggers for yellow vomit in dogs is a liver malfunction. In them, the liver is also one of the most important organs, performing several critical functions, such as the digestion of food, the production of proteins, and the elimination of toxins.
Managing liver disease in dogs is a complex process, and regular evaluations are required to ensure your pet’s healing is heading in the right direction. Your vet will need regular updates on liver-related blood tests to assess the effectiveness of treatment.
As an owner, you may need to monitor his appetite, weight, level of physical activity, and body condition.
