When to see a vet for your dog's diarrhea and vomiting

Disclaimer: This article and its content and related references does not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care.

An occasional upset stomach resulting in vomiting or diarrhea that resolves on its own in a couple of days is common in dogs. However, vomiting and diarrhea can be signs of something more serious that requires veterinary attention. Read on if you’ve ever wondered:

• Is vomiting in dogs an emergency?
• Is diarrhea in dogs an emergency?
• When should I see a vet for my dog’s vomiting or diarrhea?
• How can an online vet on Vetster help my dog’s upset stomach?

Some mild cases of vomiting or diarrhea clear up on their own within a day or two. Sometimes, a vet can help walk you through steps to take at home to aid in this process or help a dog recover more quickly. Some dogs with vomiting or diarrhea benefit from veterinary attention so they can recover more quickly or undergo diagnostic testing to rule out potential causes. However, some cases of vomiting or diarrhea are emergencies and need to be treated by a veterinarian immediately.  While you may wonder if your dog's vomiting or diarrhea is the result of eating something unusual, a viral infection, or a foreign body obstruction, the severity and duration of your dog’s symptoms are more significant indicators of if or how quickly they need veterinary attention - not the underlying cause. An online vet can help determine the best course of action and offer advice for dogs with an upset stomach.

Vomiting in dogs may be an emergency if:

• There are other symptoms, such as pale gums, lethargy, or collapse
• The dog is rapidly getting worse
• There is a large amount of blood in the vomit
• The vomit looks like coffee grounds
• The ingestion of a foreign body or toxin is suspected
• The dog is retching unproductively
• A young puppy, senior dog, or dog with an underlying condition is vomiting

“Mild vomiting in an otherwise healthy, adult dog is usually not an emergency,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “Many common causes of canine vomiting are benign, such as gagging on grass or eating too quickly.” When you are unsure if you need to go to the vet or not,  online triage is a convenient way to have your pet seen by a veterinarian in a timely manner. Getting your questions answered and having the veterinarian assess your pet on video can provide a lot of peace of mind when you are wondering if there might be an emergency, and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home. If you truly believe your dog is having an emergency, it’s best to seek veterinary care right away. However, if you are unsure, online veterinary services on Vetster can help save time and money from an unnecessary trip to the ER.

The occasional loose stool in dogs is usually caused by eating something out of the ordinary, also known as dietary indiscretion. However, diarrhea can also indicate there is an underlying medical condition or emergency that needs attention. Diarrhea in dogs may be an emergency if:

• The dog is rapidly getting worse
• The dog has pale gums, lethargy, or has collapsed
• There is a loss of appetite
• There is a large amount of blood in the stool
• The stool is black and tarry
• The ingestion of a toxin is suspected
• A young puppy, senior dog, or dog with an underlying condition has diarrhea

A mild bout of diarrhea without other symptoms in an otherwise healthy adult dog will usually resolve on its own within a few days. If a pet parent is questioning whether their dog’s diarrhea is an emergency, Vetster’s online triage with a veterinary professional can help.

Episodes of vomiting and diarrhea in dogs are common and usually self-limiting. However, both are caused by many different health issues and may be present when your dog is in an emergency situation. It’s best to talk to a veterinarian if your dog is experiencing additional symptoms, getting worse, has an underlying health condition, or even if you are simply worried.

The dog has other symptoms

Episodes of diarrhea are more likely to be serious if other symptoms are present. These can include, but are not limited to:

• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Collapse
• Seizures
• Pale gums
• Difficulty breathing

If vomiting and diarrhea occur simultaneously, it’s better to get veterinary attention sooner rather than later.

There is fresh or digested blood in the vomit or diarrhea

A small amount of fresh blood in vomit or diarrhea, no more than a few drops or a small streak, is often due to forceful retching or straining. However, very bloody diarrhea or vomit can indicate an emergency. Vomit that looks like coffee grounds or black, tarry diarrhea are both signs of internal bleeding that require emergency veterinary attention. A dog who suddenly starts frequently passing lots of small, jelly-like clots in the stool also needs veterinary attention as soon as possible.

The dog has underlying health concerns

Dogs with certain underlying health issues that begin vomiting or have diarrhea may require veterinary care sooner than their healthy counterparts. These individuals may not be able to recover on their own as a healthy dog would, and they are less likely to be able to cope with even minor symptoms. In addition, the vomiting or diarrhea may indicate that their underlying health issue is getting worse. It’s best to talk to a vet for advice in these cases.

The dog is a senior

Senior dogs may need veterinary care for vomiting and diarrhea sooner than healthy adults because they’re less able to cope with the symptoms and can end up getting dehydrated more quickly. In addition, older dogs are more likely to have age-related health concerns. Seniors are more likely to develop conditions associated with vomiting and diarrhea such as:

A metabolic disease such as:

• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease

And other conditions such as:

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Cancer

The dog is young or unvaccinated

Puppies, especially unvaccinated ones, are at higher risk for life-threatening viral diseases, such as parvo and distemper, that cause vomiting and diarrhea, so early intervention is critical. Unvaccinated dogs, both puppies and adults, are at a higher risk for diseases and infections that would require emergency veterinary care, so early intervention is important when they are suspected. These include, but are not limited to:

• Parvovirus
• Canine distemper
• Leptospirosis

Unvaccinated dogs, including puppies, are more susceptible to common communicable diseases. In addition, even mild diarrhea or vomiting in puppies can quickly cause dehydration, which may require veterinary care. It’s best to seek care right away if a puppy or unvaccinated dog begins vomiting or having diarrhea.

The dog may have ingested a toxic substance

There are many toxins a dog may be exposed to that cause vomiting and diarrhea. It’s best to seek veterinary care right away if a dog may have been exposed to:

• Onions or garlic
• Grapes or raisins
• Chocolate
• Antifreeze
• Rat bait or poison
• Human medications
• Whole bottles of pet medications
• Household cleaners or yard treatments

Foreign bodies, such as socks and toys, are common in dogs and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Even if the object is not toxic, it can become lodged in the gastrointestinal tract and may require surgery to remove it.

In most cases of canine vomiting and diarrhea, the symptoms remain mild and resolve on their own within a few days. A virtual vet appointment on Vetster is a convenient way to have a veterinary professional  answer all of your questions, take a thorough history, and  walk you through a virtual assessment of your dog. In some cases, closely monitoring a dog with mild vomiting or diarrhea may be appropriate, providing an opportunity to see if the symptoms improve on their own. Other symptomatic therapies, such as fasting, briefly offering a bland diet, or giving probiotics, may be beneficial for a quick recovery. Even though most cases of vomiting or diarrhea are mild, one of the most important ways an online veterinarian can help a dog that is vomiting or has diarrhea is by making sure the owner can identify any signs of a potential emergency.

Vomiting and diarrhea are caused by numerous different illnesses, and dogs often get better on their own so quickly that the underlying cause is never identified and a visit to an in-person clinic is not necessary. Dogs with mild cases of stomach upset who end up at the vet may be given symptomatic treatments to help ease nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea to see if that’s enough to provide relief before doing any diagnostic testing.

If the symptoms do not get better, are accompanied by other symptoms, become worse, or recur, diagnostic tests such as blood tests, fecal tests, and x-rays or ultrasound can be used to narrow down potential causes for the dog's symptoms. More complex cases might require advanced diagnostics such as a CT scan,  biopsies, or exploratory surgery.

Treatments vary based on the diagnosis and commonly include injectable medications, IV fluid therapy, and surgery. Oral medications aren’t typically used because they do not work if a dog cannot keep them down.

If your dog is experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, online vets are an excellent tool to determine if a visit to an emergency clinic is warranted. Vetster is available 24/7, and the wait time for a veterinarian is usually short. Vetster also has a convenient app that allows you to use the platform from your phone.

Even if your pet isn’t having a medical emergency, an online appointment makes it quick and easy to get expert advice and information from a veterinarian. Virtual appointments are an easy, low-stress, convenient way to:

• Talk with a licensed veterinarian about your dog’s symptoms
• Have your dog “seen” by the veterinarian over video
• Get expert information about your dog’s symptoms
• Learn more about what to expect or the signs of an emergency
• Monitor progress for an ongoing situation
• Make future appointments to manage chronic illnesses
• Save time and money on pet care with a subscription
• Access at-home testing, such as fecal kits
• Get prescriptions delivered to your door*

Whether the condition is mild or severe, our experts can help provide advice on the appropriate course of action based on the presenting symptoms and patient history. Talk to a vet today online or through our convenient app.

*The ability to receive a prescribed medication is governed by law and at the discretion of your Vetster veterinarian.

When should I be concerned about my dog throwing up?

Vomiting in dogs requires veterinary attention if your dog seems to be rapidly getting worse, you are concerned the vomiting is an emergency, there is a large amount of fresh blood in the vomit, the vomit has a coffee grounds appearance, or there are other symptoms present such as diarrhea, lethargy, or a loss of appetite. Even if your dog seems fine otherwise, it's time to see a vet if the vomiting doesn't stop after a couple of days.

What should I do if my dog is having trouble throwing up?

Unproductive retching in dogs is considered an emergency and requires immediate attention. This may be a symptom of “bloat,” or gastric dilatation volvulus, which is rapidly life threatening.

When should I worry about dog diarrhea?

The most common reason for diarrhea in dogs is eating something out of the ordinary, including changes to their regular food, people food or table scraps, garbage, something spoiled or rotten, or anything else they find in reach. If a dog is rapidly getting worse, experiencing other symptoms with diarrhea, or has bloody or tarry stools, connect with a veterinarian. Even if your dog seems otherwise fine, don’t ignore diarrhea that lasts for more than a couple of days.