VOMITING QUESTIONS
HOW DO I FIND OUT IF THIS IS THIS A SERIOUS PROBLEM?
1) HOW LONG? ( and how frequently?)
If >24 hours, then must be seen. With an acute gastric irritation, often the animal vomits frequently initially, but this tails off rapidly over the first 6-12 hours
2)HAS IT EATEN ANYTHING NEW / UNUSUAL?
New foods, Bones, Is it a scavenger, poisons ( the owner may not know, ask about any home remedies administered or pesticides / garden chemicals), Toys, Treats.
3) WHAT IS IT VOMITING?
Food / food + water / Empty stomach retching.
3a- Does it only vomit after ingestion?
3b- Is it vomiting or regurgitating?
4) IS IT BRIGHT OR DEPRESSED?
Depressed animals may be toxaemic or dehydrated or both, and should be seen.
5) DOES IT HAVE DIARRHOEA?
What is the character of the Diarrhoea, and is the animal vaccinated. Did the diarrhoea start at the same time or before or after the vomiting?
-Parvovirus infectionin dogs
-Feline Infectious Enteritis in cats (panleucopaenia)
[VHD in rabbits]
6) IS IT STILL INTERESTED IN EATING OR DRINKING?
REMEMBER: NO FOOD FOR 24 HOURS
Feeding the pet again before the stomach inflammation has settled is the commonest cause of repeated vomiting. THE WILLINGNESS OF THE PET TO EAT IS NOT A GOOD GUIDE TO THE STATE OF THE STOMACH