Dogs can get sick just like us. Stomach upset in dogs is quite common as dogs have strong vomit reflex. As all dog owners know, it does not take much for everything to come back up… on the carpet of course, not the tiles or parquet!
Signs of upset stomach in dogs are usually very obvious but they include vomiting, diarrhea, gas, stomach gurgling noises, increased salivation, loss of appetite, eating grass. Usually the reason for upset stomach is the dog eating something that does not agree with him.
That at least seems to be the case for our poor Molly today. She must have eaten something when out and about as her daughter is fine and they share everything we give them.
She did try to tell us last night when she didn't want her dinner. And she didn't seem keen on going to "school" (Dog Agility). But we didn't understand... though afterwards the message was quite clear.
When we came back home she started vomiting. She hasn't eaten anything all day and vomited everything there is to vomit.
We want to try giving her some food this evening so we started "googling" about dog stomach upset. We found some excellent advice about how long to wait before feeding her and what to give her to get the system going again. Simply put it is recommended to let the dog fast for minimum 12-24 hours before offering a bland diet, e.g. 75% boiled rice and 25% low fat protein like chicken.
Dogs easily survive fasting like this. However, it is vital to make sure the dog stays hydrated.
How to check dogs hydration level
If dogs are vomiting or have diarrhea, they may become dehydrated. It is important to keep a good eye on the dog's hydration level but how do we do that? This is what we learned today...
Skin elasticity
When dogs become dehydrated, the skin loses its elasticity. To check the skin elasticity just gently lift the skin on the back of the neck or between the shoulder blades using two fingers and then let it go. The skin should snap back quickly but if not, then the dog is likely to be dehydrated and you should seek Vet advice.
Gum health
The gums can tell us a lot about our dog's health. Healthy well-hydrated dog has salmon pink gums that are coated with slimy film of salvia. Dry gums are sign of dehydration in dogs.
You can also check the dog's gum capillary refill time (CTR). To do this press your fingertip on the dog's gum until the area becomes white and then let go. Count how long it takes for the gum to regain its original pink color. Normal dog's gum capillary refill time is less than two second. If it takes longer than that to return to normal, then the dog may be dehydrated and you should seek Vet assistance.
For more information and advice about stomach upset in dogs check out Pet Helpful website.
We have checked Molly's hydration level and she is fine. We will continue to keep a close eye on her but now we must go and prepare her bland dinner!
Can digestive supplement help with stomach upset?
High quality digestive supplement for dogs, like maxxidigest+, supports the digestive health and can help pets to overcome their digestive upset quicker.
