Vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats are common issues that many pet owners face. While these symptoms can often result from minor digestive upsets, they can also indicate a more serious health problem. Understanding the causes and knowing when to seek veterinary care is crucial for your pet’s well-being.
Signs that your dog or cat needs to go to the vet right away
Vomiting or diarrhea can cause your pet to be less energetic. They may also have a loss of appetite, due to nausea or stomach pain, or the inability to keep food down.
Just as in humans, an upset stomach can be quite uncomfortable for you…or your furry friend. It’s expected that they will act different than usual.
Here are some signs that you’ll want to bring them to the vet sooner rather than later.
- Blood in diarrhea
- Vomiting and diarrhea combined as this creates a strong risk for dehydration
- Restlessness or pain
- Diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours
- Noticeable loss of energy, lethargy, or an inability to stand and walk
- Visible parasites or worms in the vomit or stool
Regardless of symptoms, it never hurts to be on the safe side, so when in doubt, it’s always best to seek veterinary advice.
Why is my dog or cat throwing up, or having diarrhea?
When your dog or cat is suddenly vomiting and has diarrhea at the same time, it can be alarming and confusing. These symptoms often occur together because both the stomach and intestines are affected at the same time, which can happen with dietary indiscretion, viral illnesses, bacterial infections, parasites, or exposure to toxins.
Many pets show these signs after eating something unusual, while others may develop them due to underlying medical issues that warrant urgent veterinary attention. Sudden digestive upset is body’s way of rapidly clearing harmful substances, but it can quickly lead to dehydration if not treated promptly.
Dietary Indiscretion
Dogs are especially notorious for getting into the trash, eating table scraps, or ingesting things they shouldn’t. When a dog suddenly vomits and has diarrhea, one of the most common culprits is dietary indiscretion.
Eating spiled food, fatty leftovers, or foreign objects irritates the stomach and intestines immediately. The irritation triggers vomiting. You may also notice abdominal gurgling, gas, drooling, pacing, or restlessness. While this cause is often mild, it can still lead to dehydration quickly, especially in small dogs.
Viral Infections
Viral diseases, like parvovirus, are some of the most serious cuases of sudden vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Symptoms include sudden, relentless vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea, lethargy, and rapid dehydration. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are at highest risk, but any dog can become infected.
Parasites
Intestinal parasites can cause sudden or worsening vomiting diarrhea. Few things can make a pet owner contact their veterinarian faster than seeing worms in their pet’s stool. Giardia, one of the most common parasites, frequently causes watery diarrhea, nausea, gas, and intermittent vomiting. Worms, such as roundworms or hookworms can irritate the intestines enough to cause sudden digestive distress.
Toxin Exposure
Many toxins such as certain human medication, poisonous plants, household chemicals, or toxic foods like grapes and xylitol cause immediate and vomiting and diarrhea. Toxins can affect the liver, kidneys, and nervous system. leading to tremors, drooling unsteadiness or even collapse.
Because many toxic substances become more dangerous the longer they stay in the body, any suspicion of toxin exposure should be treated as an emergency.
How our staff at Pet Urgent Care Troy will determine if the vomiting and diarrhea symptoms are serious
Our veterinary staff will ask you some questions about your pet’s history. For example:
- Is your pet indoors, outdoors, or some of both
- Describe what a normal diet is for your pet
- Has your pet eaten anything unusual recently
We may also recommend routine diagnostic tests such as:
- Fecal (stool ) analysis
- Bloodwork analysis
- Urine analysis
- X-rays
- Test for infectious diseases
Normal test results bring good news and peace of mind. However, if there are any abnormal findings, our staff at Pet Urgent Care Troy will explain them and partner with you to determine what we deem as appropriate next steps.
Key Takeaways
Sudden vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats can range from mild digestive upset to serious medical emergencies. Because these symptoms cause rapid fluid loss, prompt attention is essential to your pet’s wellbeing.
With quick action and proper care, most dogs and cats recover well and return to their normal happy selves within a short period of time.
Remember, don’t give your dog or cat any human medications without first checking with our staff at Pet Urgent Care Troy. Many human medications are toxic to pets, and there are safe alternatives available that our staff can prescribe for your pet.
If your cat or dog is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, Pet Urgent Care Troy is here to help with affordable urgent veterinary services.
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