why does my dog vomit after eating and drinking water

When the dog looks eagerly at the bone in the owner's hand, wags its tail full of anticipation, and swallows it in one gulp, the owner's heart suddenly leaps into their throat. For dogs, bones can be both a delicious treat and a potential hazard. If a bone gets stuck in a dog's stomach, it can't tell the pain with words but can only send signals through its body. Every owner hopes to detect these signals in time and rescue their "furry child" troubled by the bone. So, how on earth can we know if a bone is stuck in a dog's stomach? This requires us to carefully observe various manifestations of the dog and make a comprehensive judgment in combination with professional knowledge.

From the perspective of the dog's behavior, the most obvious sign is making frequent swallowing movements but having difficulty swallowing food. They will stretch out their necks, swallow saliva repeatedly, and their expressions look very uncomfortable, as if there is something blocking their throat or stomach and they can't swallow it no matter what. Just like the embarrassment and discomfort when humans are choked by food, the dog is also suffering physical pain at this time. Some dogs may also experience vomiting symptoms, trying to vomit out the stuck bone. But unlike normal vomiting, this kind of vomiting is often more severe, and the vomit may contain blood streaks or bone fragments. Seeing the dog vomiting painfully, the owner is filled with distress and anxiety, wishing they could immediately help the dog out of the predicament.

The dog's appetite will also change significantly. If a bone is stuck in the stomach, they usually have a loss of appetite and show no interest in the food they usually like. Even if the owner tempts them with food in front of them, the dog will just barely sniff it and then turn away listlessly. Some dogs may even completely refuse to eat, and they won't take a bite even if they have been hungry for a long time. This sudden decrease in appetite is likely due to the pain and discomfort caused by the bone stuck in the stomach, making it impossible for them to eat normally. In addition, the dog may also be in a listless state, no longer as lively and active as usual. It will always lie quietly in the corner, with the former brilliance in its eyes gone, looking very tired and weak.

In terms of abdominal symptoms, a dog with a stuck bone may experience abdominal pain. When the owner gently touches its abdomen, the dog will show resistance, may whine, and even try to dodge. Because the abdomen is stimulated or compressed by the bone, a light touch can cause pain. Some dogs' abdomens will also be swollen. This is because the bone being stuck leads to poor patency of the gastrointestinal tract, and gas and food accumulate in the stomach and cannot be discharged normally, thus causing abdominal distension. If the owner finds that the dog's abdomen is abnormally swollen and accompanied by pain, they must attach great importance to it, which is likely to mean that the situation of the bone being stuck is relatively serious.

In addition to the above symptoms, the dog's defecation situation is also an important basis for judgment. If a bone is stuck in the stomach, it will affect the normal digestion and excretion of food, resulting in the dog having constipation symptoms. They will frequently make defecation postures, strain hard, but can only excrete a small amount of dry and hard feces, or even be unable to defecate at all. This difficulty in defecation not only makes the dog feel uncomfortable physically but also further increases the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, the dog may excrete black or dark red feces. This is because the bone has scratched the gastrointestinal tract, causing bleeding. After the blood is digested in the intestine, the color of the feces changes. Once the owner finds that the dog's feces have an abnormal color, it indicates that the gastrointestinal tract has been damaged, and the possibility of a bone being stuck is extremely high.

However, sometimes the dog's symptoms may not be typical, and it is difficult to accurately determine whether the bone is stuck just by observation. At this time, professional medical means are needed. Pet hospitals usually use X-ray examinations. By taking X-ray films, we can clearly see whether there is a bone in the dog's stomach and the specific location where the bone is stuck. The X-ray film is like taking an "internal photo" of the dog's body, allowing the doctor and the owner to intuitively understand the situation. In addition, B-ultrasound examination can also help with the judgment. It can detect the peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract and whether there are abnormal echoes caused by foreign objects. If conditions permit, a gastrointestinal contrast examination can also be carried out. By giving the dog a contrast agent, it can more clearly show the situation in the gastrointestinal tract and accurately determine the degree of the bone being stuck and the impact on the gastrointestinal tract.

When suspecting that a bone is stuck in the dog's stomach, the owner must not try to dig it out with their hands or take other improper treatment methods, so as not to cause secondary damage to the dog. The dog should be taken to the pet hospital as soon as possible, and a professional veterinarian should conduct an examination and diagnosis. During the waiting time for medical treatment, try to soothe the dog's emotions and reduce its activities to avoid the bone moving further due to strenuous exercise and worsening the condition.

Dogs are the most loyal companions in our lives, and their joys and sorrows always tug at our hearts. When they are stuck by a bone and can't tell the pain, we are their only support. By carefully observing the dog's behavior and physical reactions, combining with professional medical means, promptly discovering the situation of the bone being stuck, and giving the correct treatment, we can let the dog get rid of the pain as soon as possible, regain its former vitality and happiness, and continue to accompany us through every wonderful day.