If your dog is shaking after vomiting, it can be a concerning sight for any pet owner. The shaking, or tremors, is often a secondary symptom that indicates your dog is not feeling well. This post will delve into the common causes for dog vomiting and subsequent shaking, offering insight into dog health concerns and when to seek veterinary advice for dog vomiting. We’ll explore dog sickness symptoms, dog weakness after sickness, and various reasons for dog shaking following an episode of dog digestive upset.
Image Source: imageserver.petsbest.com
Common Reasons for Dog Vomiting
Before we discuss the shaking, it’s important to know why your dog might be throwing up in the first place. Dog vomiting is a common occurrence and can stem from a wide array of issues, from something as simple as eating too quickly to more serious underlying illnesses.
Dietary Indiscretions
Perhaps the most frequent cause of dog vomiting is when dogs eat something they shouldn’t have. This includes:
- Garbage Gut: Dogs are notorious for rummaging through trash and consuming spoiled food, wrappers, or even non-food items.
- Sudden Diet Changes: Switching your dog’s food too rapidly can upset their digestive system.
- Eating Too Fast: Some dogs gulp their food, leading to indigestion and vomiting shortly after.
- Eating Spoiled Food: Food left out too long or discovered outside can cause stomach upset.
Ingesting Toxins or Irritants
Certain substances are harmful to dogs and can trigger vomiting as the body tries to expel them.
- Household Cleaners: Many common cleaning products are toxic to dogs.
- Plants: Some houseplants and outdoor plants are poisonous.
- Medications: Human medications or even incorrect dog medication dosages can be dangerous.
- Antifreeze: This sweet-tasting liquid is highly toxic and a common cause of poisoning in dogs.
- Certain Foods: Foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic are toxic to dogs.
Underlying Medical Conditions
More serious dog health concerns can also manifest as vomiting.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: This includes gastritis (stomach inflammation), gastroenteritis (inflammation of stomach and intestines), pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Parasites: Intestinal worms like roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms can cause vomiting.
- Infections: Viral (like parvovirus or distemper) and bacterial infections can lead to dog vomiting.
- Organ Disease: Conditions affecting the kidneys, liver, or pancreas can cause vomiting as a symptom.
- Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus – GDV): A life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and can twist.
- Cancer: Tumors in the digestive tract or other organs can cause vomiting.
Motion Sickness
Some dogs experience canine nausea and vomiting when traveling in cars or other vehicles.
Allergic Reactions
Food allergies or intolerances can cause vomiting, often alongside other symptoms like itchy skin or diarrhea.
Why Is My Dog Shaking After Throwing Up?
When your dog shakes or trembles after vomiting, it’s a sign that their body is reacting to the stress of being sick. There isn’t one single reason for post-vomit shaking; instead, it’s a combination of physiological responses. Let’s break down the most common factors contributing to dog tremors after illness.
1. Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance
Vomiting, especially if it’s persistent or severe, can lead to significant fluid and electrolyte loss.
- Fluid Loss: Each time your dog vomits, they are losing water and vital fluids. If they are also experiencing diarrhea, this loss is compounded.
- Electrolyte Depletion: Vomiting can deplete essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride. These electrolytes are crucial for nerve and muscle function.
- Impact on Muscles: Imbalances in electrolytes can directly affect muscle function, leading to weakness, twitching, and tremors. This is a common cause of dog weakness after sickness.
2. Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
When a dog is sick, especially if they are not eating or keeping food down, their blood sugar levels can drop.
- Reduced Glucose Intake: If your dog has been vomiting and not eating, they aren’t getting the glucose their body needs for energy.
- Energy Depletion: The body relies on glucose for all its functions, including muscle control. Low blood sugar can cause weakness, lethargy, and shaking. This is particularly concerning in puppies and small breeds.
3. Stress and Anxiety
The act of vomiting can be a stressful experience for dogs.
- Discomfort and Pain: The physical act of vomiting, especially if it’s forceful, can be uncomfortable or even painful.
- Feeling Unwell: Dogs are often aware when they are sick, and this general feeling of malaise can cause them to become anxious.
- Fear of the Unknown: If your dog doesn’t understand why they are feeling sick, they might experience fear and anxiety, which can manifest as shaking.
4. Shock
In severe cases, particularly if the vomiting is due to a serious underlying condition like poisoning, trauma, or severe illness, your dog might be going into shock.
- Circulatory Issues: Shock occurs when the body isn’t getting enough oxygen-rich blood to its organs. This can be caused by severe blood loss, dehydration, or a systemic infection.
- Symptoms of Shock: Shaking, weakness, pale gums, rapid breathing, and a rapid heart rate are all potential signs of shock. This is a medical emergency.
5. Pain
If the underlying cause of the vomiting is painful, the pain itself can cause a dog to shake.
- Pancreatitis: This condition is often very painful and can cause vomiting, tremors, and a hunched posture.
- Gastrointestinal Blockage: If a foreign object is lodged in the digestive tract, it can cause severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and shaking.
- Abdominal Inflammation: Any significant inflammation within the abdomen can be painful and lead to shaking.
6. Canine Nausea
The feeling of canine nausea itself can be so profound that it causes a dog to tremble.
- Sensory Overload: The physical sensation of feeling sick to your stomach is unpleasant and can trigger a stress response, including shaking.
- Anticipation: Sometimes, dogs may shake in anticipation of vomiting again, especially if they’ve vomited multiple times.
7. Medication Side Effects
If your dog has recently been given medication, shaking could be a side effect. Always read the medication label or consult your vet about potential side effects.
When to Seek Veterinary Advice
While occasional vomiting with mild, transient shaking might resolve on its own, persistent or severe symptoms warrant immediate veterinary attention. Here are some red flags:
Signs of Serious Illness
- Vomiting Blood: This can appear as fresh red blood or “coffee grounds” in the vomit.
- Repeated Vomiting: If your dog vomits more than a couple of times in a short period.
- Lethargy and Weakness: Extreme tiredness and inability to stand or walk normally are serious signs.
- Diarrhea (especially bloody): This can indicate significant intestinal distress or infection.
- Loss of Appetite: If your dog refuses food and water for more than 24 hours.
- Abdominal Pain: Your dog cries out when their belly is touched, seems bloated, or adopts a “prayer position” (front down, rear up).
- Pale Gums: Healthy gums are typically pink. Pale or white gums can indicate shock or severe blood loss.
- Difficulty Breathing: Panting excessively, shallow breaths, or noisy breathing.
- Known Toxin Ingestion: If you suspect your dog has eaten something poisonous.
- Fever: Elevated body temperature.
What to Expect During a Vet Visit
If you take your dog to the veterinarian, they will likely perform a thorough examination and ask you detailed questions about your dog’s history. This information is crucial for diagnosis.
History Taking
Your vet will ask about:
- Diet: What your dog eats, any recent changes, and if they might have eaten something unusual.
- Vomiting Characteristics: Frequency, appearance (color, presence of blood or foreign objects), and timing relative to meals.
- Other Symptoms: Diarrhea, lethargy, changes in urination or defecation, coughing, sneezing, etc.
- Medications and Vaccinations: Any current or recent medications, and if they are up-to-date on vaccinations.
- Environment: Any recent changes in the home, exposure to new animals, or potential ingestion of toxins.
Diagnostic Tests
Depending on the suspected cause, the vet may recommend:
- Physical Examination: Checking vital signs, palpating the abdomen, and assessing overall condition.
- Bloodwork: Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Chemistry Panel to evaluate organ function, infection, and electrolyte levels.
- Urinalysis: To check kidney function and hydration.
- Fecal Examination: To test for intestinal parasites.
- X-rays or Ultrasound: To visualize the gastrointestinal tract, look for foreign objects, or assess organ health.
- Specific Toxin Tests: If poisoning is suspected.
Managing Vomiting and Shaking at Home (with Vet Guidance)
If your veterinarian has determined that your dog’s condition is mild and can be managed at home, they will provide specific instructions. Never attempt to treat your dog without veterinary consultation.
Dietary Management
- Bland Diet: Your vet might recommend a temporary diet of boiled chicken (plain, no skin or bones) and white rice. Introduce this in small, frequent meals.
- Gradual Transition: Once symptoms improve, gradually transition your dog back to their regular food over several days.
- Feeding Schedule: Smaller, more frequent meals can be easier on a sensitive stomach than one or two large meals.
Hydration
- Water Access: Ensure constant access to fresh, clean water.
- Electrolyte Solutions: In some cases, your vet might recommend specific oral electrolyte solutions for dogs. Do not give human electrolyte drinks without veterinary approval, as some contain ingredients toxic to dogs.
Rest and Comfort
- Quiet Environment: Provide a calm, comfortable place for your dog to rest.
- Avoid Stress: Minimize stress and excitement while your dog is recovering.
When to Re-Contact Your Vet
Even if you are managing your dog at home, stay vigilant. Re-contact your veterinarian if:
- Vomiting continues or worsens.
- Your dog stops eating or drinking.
- Lethargy increases.
- You notice any of the red flag symptoms mentioned earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can my dog shake from nausea alone?
Yes, the feeling of intense canine nausea can be so overwhelming that it triggers a physical stress response, including shaking or trembling.
Q2: Is shaking always a sign of something serious after vomiting?
Not necessarily. Mild, transient shaking can occur due to stress, dehydration, or the general discomfort of being sick. However, it’s crucial to monitor your dog for other symptoms and consult a vet if you have any concerns.
Q3: How can I stop my dog from shaking after throwing up?
The best way to address the shaking is to treat the underlying cause of the vomiting and provide supportive care. This includes ensuring hydration, offering a bland diet as recommended by your vet, and providing a calm environment. Directly attempting to stop the shaking without addressing the root cause is not advisable.
Q4: My dog vomited once and is now shaking and acting normal. Should I worry?
While a single vomiting episode followed by immediate recovery and mild shaking might not be alarming, it’s always wise to monitor your dog closely. If the shaking persists, or if your dog shows any other signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.
Q5: Can I give my dog medication for shaking?
Never give your dog any medication, whether over-the-counter or prescription, without consulting your veterinarian. Many human medications are toxic to dogs, and administering incorrect dosages or types of medication can be very dangerous. Your vet can prescribe appropriate medications if needed for the underlying condition.
Conclusion
Observing your dog shaking after vomiting can be frightening, but by understanding the potential causes, you can be better equipped to assess the situation and seek appropriate care. From dietary issues to more serious medical conditions, dog vomiting is a symptom that should never be ignored. The post-vomit shaking is often a physical manifestation of the stress, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or pain your dog is experiencing. Always prioritize veterinary advice for dog vomiting to ensure your furry friend receives the best possible care and recovers their health and well-being. By being attentive to these dog sickness symptoms, you can help your canine companion navigate through their illness and return to their happy, healthy selves.