Vomiting in dogs is not an uncommon thing, especially in puppies or more senior dogs. Usually, the vomiting is short-term and your dog returns to a normal healthy life. However, when the vomiting goes on for a long period of time or is seen with other signs, it may be a sign of an ongoing issue such as bilious vomiting syndrome.
What is Bilious Vomiting Syndrome?
Bilious vomiting syndrome is a condition that results in dogs vomiting bile. Typically it occurs in the morning or after an extended period of fasting. The exact cause of this syndrome is unknown, but it is believed to be linked to an imbalance of digestive fluids in the stomach.
Bile is produced continuously by the gall bladder to help digest fats. When there is no food in the gastrointestinal tract, the bile can flow backward into the stomach, which irritates the stomach lining and can cause vomiting through chemical messages to the brain or from the accumulation of a large volume of bile in the stomach. The syndrome can be managed with dietary changes, medication, and smaller, more frequent meals.
Bilious vomiting syndrome causes vomiting usually either early in the morning or late at night when the stomach is empty. It differs from other causes of vomiting because the vomiting usually stops when you feed your dog, and your dog is usually otherwise bright and well.
Bilious vomiting syndrome is similar to acid reflux in humans in terms of the sensation of irritation or burning to the stomach and oesophageal lining. In humans, the acid is from the stomach, and in dogs, it’s not acid but bile from further down the gastrointestinal tract that is causing this sensation.
What Are the Signs of Bilious Vomiting Syndrome?
The signs of bilious vomiting syndrome can be confused with other causes of vomiting, so a veterinary health check is always recommended to work out the exact cause. Signs to look out for include:
- Vomiting yellow or green fluid
- Vomiting yellow foam
- Vomiting early in the morning or late at night
- Bright and otherwise well no other clinical signs such as diarrhea
- Vomiting stops after feeding
However, not all vomiting is related to bilious vomiting syndrome so signs linked with other causes of vomiting are:
- Lethargy
- Reluctance to eat
- Weight loss
- Vomiting blood or vomiting what looks like coffee grounds
- Diarrhea
- Salivation or drooling
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite or thirst?
2. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s elimination patterns (pottying habits)?
3. Has your pet vomited more than once in 24 hours?
4. Is there a change in your pet’s breathing?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet drooling more than usual?
8. Are there changes to your pet’s eyes?
9. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
10. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
11. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
12. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
13. Does your pet have a cough?
14. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
15. Have you noticed a new bump or growth on your pet?
16. Has your pet eaten something that could be toxic or a foreign object?
17. Has your pet experienced a seizure?
18. Is your pet having a hard time moving around?
19. Does your pet have a distended (bloated belly)?
20. Does your pet have a wound or injury?
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Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite or thirst?
2. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s elimination patterns (pottying habits)?
3. Has your pet vomited more than once in 24 hours?
4. Is there a change in your pet’s breathing?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet drooling more than usual?
8. Are there changes to your pet’s eyes?
9. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
10. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
11. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
12. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
13. Does your pet have a cough?
14. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
15. Have you noticed a new bump or growth on your pet?
16. Has your pet eaten something that could be toxic or a foreign object?
17. Has your pet experienced a seizure?
18. Is your pet having a hard time moving around?
19. Does your pet have a distended (bloated belly)?
20. Does your pet have a wound or injury?
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How is Bilious Vomiting Syndrome Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is usually by ruling out other causes. Visit a veterinarian for a health check-up for your dog. The veterinarian will ask lots of questions about the time of vomiting, duration, and consistency. If you have any photos of the vomit this can be helpful for the veterinarian to see.
The veterinarian may choose to run blood tests, x-rays, or ultrasound among other tests to work out the cause of your dog’s yellow vomit.
How to Treat Bilious Vomiting Syndrome in Dogs
Bilious vomiting syndrome in dogs can be treated through a combination of dietary changes and medications. First, try feeding smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day instead of one or two large meals. You can also add probiotics to improve gut health and eliminate any food allergens or sensitivities from their diet. Additionally, H2 blockers such as Tagamet, Pepcid, or Zantac can be used to reduce the production of stomach acid and alleviate symptoms.
It's important to monitor your dog's calorie intake to prevent them from becoming overweight, which can worsen the condition and lead to other health issues such as osteoarthritis. Work with a veterinarian to develop a diet plan that meets your dog's nutritional needs and manages their symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of dogs are predisposed to bilious vomiting syndrome?
There is currently not a lot of evidence as to the predispositions for this condition. One paper suggests male, middle-aged mixed breeds are more likely to get BVS.
Are there any natural anti-nausea medications for dogs?
Natural supplements to ease nausea from vomiting include ginger. Ginger alone may not be strong enough to stop vomiting from Bilious vomiting syndrome but talk to your veterinarian to see if this is a supplement worth adding to your dog’s treatment program.
Should I be concerned about getting ill from handling my dog’s vomit?
The risk for transmissible illness is low, especially if you are healthy and wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning up vomit. Transmissible illness includes bacterial infection, so older or immune-compromised people are at an increased risk, but with good hand hygiene, this risk should still be low.
My dog doesn’t have bilious vomiting syndrome, what home remedies can I try?
For advice on home care for a sore tummy, read our blog for some top tips on how to help your pooch.
I have more than one dog, how do I work out who’s vomiting?
This can be a challenge! If you are waking up to vomit on a regular occurrence, you may need to separate your dogs into different rooms in the house or separate one dog each night for a few nights to see who the affected dog is. Its possible more than one dog may be affected. Another alternative is a home security system for you to watch the footage in the morning to find out who’s affected.
Summary
Bilious vomiting syndrome is often a diagnosis of exclusion, that is all the other possible causes of vomiting have been ruled out first. The chances of managing this condition successfully are very good if diet and medical therapies are started and consistently followed. However, this is a lifelong condition so it’s important to realize that accidents will happen from time to time and that is completely expected. If you are concerned that your pet may have bilious vomiting syndrome, chat online with a vet from BetterVet today.
