Dog Vomiting & Diarrhoea｜Gastroenteritis Symptoms & Treatment

Dog vomiting and dog diarrhoea are among the most common health issues owners encounter. When your dog suddenly vomits, has diarrhoea, or soft stools, it may be a warning sign of dog gastroenteritis. This article provides a detailed explanation of the causes, symptoms, treatment methods, and home care for canine gastroenteritis, helping you determine when to take your dog to the vet and how to prevent gastrointestinal problems from recurring.

What Is Dog Gastroenteritis?

Dog gastroenteritis refers to inflammation of a dog's stomach and intestines, causing digestive dysfunction. Gastroenteritis is divided into acute and chronic types – acute gastroenteritis has sudden onset but usually recovers within a few days; chronic gastroenteritis has symptoms lasting several weeks or more and requires detailed examination to identify the cause.

Acute vs Chronic Gastroenteritis

Causes of Dog Gastroenteritis

There are many causes of dog vomiting and dog diarrhoea:

Diet-Related (Most Common)

• Dietary Indiscretion: Eating food that is too oily, too salty, or hard to digest
• Sudden Food Change: Switching food brands too quickly
• Ingesting Foreign Objects: Rubbish, bone fragments, toys
• Spoiled Food: Eating expired or rotten food
• Overeating: Eating too much or too fast

Infectious Causes

• Viral Infections: Canine parvovirus, canine distemper, coronavirus
• Bacterial Infections: Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter
• Parasites: Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, Giardia

Other Causes

• Food Allergies/Intolerance
• Medication Side Effects (such as NSAIDs)
• Stress (environmental changes, boarding)
• Organ Disease (pancreatitis, liver disease, kidney disease)
• Tumours

Dog Gastroenteritis Symptoms

Below are common symptoms of dog gastroenteritis:

Vomiting Symptoms

• Vomiting undigested food
• Vomiting white foam (stomach acid)
• Vomiting yellow/green liquid (bile)
• Vomiting coffee-coloured material (digestive tract bleeding) ⚠️

Diarrhoea Symptoms

• Soft Stools: Faeces not formed, mushy consistency
• Watery Stools: Severe diarrhoea, projectile
• Mucous Stools: Faeces containing mucus
• Bloody Stools: Bright red (large intestine bleeding) or black (small intestine bleeding) ⚠️

Other Symptoms

• Decreased appetite or refusal to eat
• Lethargy, weakness
• Abdominal pain, arched back posture
• Gurgling sounds from the abdomen
• Increased flatulence
• Dehydration (skin loses elasticity, dry gums)

Assessing Severity from Stool Appearance

When Should You See a Vet?

Bring your dog for veterinary care promptly in the following situations:

Seek Immediate Care (Emergency)

• Vomit or faeces contains large amounts of blood
• Vomit is coffee-coloured
• Vomiting more than 5 times within 24 hours
• Suspected ingestion of foreign objects or toxins
• Severe dehydration (skin has no elasticity, pale gums)
• Rapidly distending abdomen
• Extreme weakness, unable to stand

See a Vet Soon (Within 12–24 Hours)

• Dog diarrhoea persisting for more than 24 hours
• Dog vomiting more than 3 times and unable to eat
• Refusal to eat for more than 24 hours
• Fever (temperature above 39.5°C)
• Puppies or senior dogs showing symptoms
• Accompanied by obvious abdominal pain

Treatment Methods for Dog Gastroenteritis

Veterinarians will develop a treatment plan based on the cause and severity:

Medical Treatment

Supportive Treatment

• Fluid Therapy: Corrects dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
• Nutritional Support: IV nutrition may be needed in severe cases

Home Care for Dog Gastroenteritis

Mild dog vomiting and diarrhoea can be observed first with the following measures:

Fasting and Rest

• Adult dogs: Fast for 12–24 hours to rest the digestive system
• Puppies: Fast for no more than 4–6 hours (risk of hypoglycaemia)
• Provide small amounts of water during this period to prevent dehydration

Resuming Feeding (48-Hour Care Plan)

1. Day 1: Fast, offer small frequent sips of water
2. Day 2: Small amounts of easily digestible food (plain boiled chicken + white rice, 1:2 ratio)
3. Days 3–4: Gradually increase portions, 4–6 small meals per day
4. Days 5–7: Slowly mix in regular dog food, return to normal diet

Important Notes

• Record vomiting/diarrhoea frequency and colour
• Take photos for reference during veterinary consultation
• Observe changes in energy and appetite
• Seek immediate veterinary care if symptoms worsen

Preventing Dog Gastroenteritis

• Feed at regular times and portions; avoid overeating
• Transition food over 7–10 days; change gradually
• Avoid feeding human food, especially greasy and seasoned foods
• Secure rubbish and small objects to prevent ingestion
• Regular deworming (every 3 months)
• Keep vaccinations up to date
• Keep food and water bowls clean

Dog Gastroenteritis FAQs

Petcore Veterinary Clinic Gastrointestinal Services

Petcore Veterinary Clinic provides comprehensive dog gastroenteritis diagnosis and treatment services:

• Physical Examination: Abdominal palpation, dehydration assessment
• Faecal Examination: Parasites, bacteria, occult blood
• Blood Tests: Liver and kidney function, pancreatic markers
• X-ray/Ultrasound: Foreign body, intestinal obstruction diagnosis
• Fluid Therapy: Correcting dehydration and electrolytes
• Medication Prescriptions: Anti-emetics, anti-diarrhoeals, gastric medication
• Dietary Advice: Gastrointestinal prescription diet recommendations

Contact Us

• Yuen Long Clinic: G/F, 30A Fuk Tak Street, Yuen Long, N.T. | Phone: 2394-7300
• Sai Kung Clinic: Shop 2, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, N.T. | Phone: 2394-4228
• WhatsApp: 9889-5518
• Website: www.petcore-vet.com

If your dog shows dog vomiting, dog diarrhoea, soft stools, or other dog gastroenteritis symptoms, please bring your dog for examination as soon as possible. Early treatment can prevent the condition from worsening and help your dog recover sooner. The professional team at Petcore Veterinary Clinic is always ready to provide quality medical care for your beloved dog.