Dry Heaves
Dry heaves is hard gagging or attempting to vomit without a discharge. It is an indication of a potentially serious condition in dogs and cats that requires the attention of a veterinarian.
Dry Heaves And Underlying Health Disorders
Dry heaves may indicate that your pet has internal parasites, internal infection, food allergy, bloat, liver dysfunction or has swallowed and ingested a poisonous substance (such as bone meal fertilizer).
Bone meal is a finely ground bone used as a fertilizer for its content of phosphate and nitrogen (about 23%–30% available phosphate and 2%–4% nitrogen). Bone meal is also fed to farm animals to supply needed mineral food constituents, e.g., calcium and phosphorus. It is very attractive to dogs, who see it as a food source.
In other cases, dry heaves might be caused by a concussion from a head injury. After falling from a loft, for example, dry heaves or vomiting could be a sign of a more serious injury.
Dry heaves can also indicate bloat or GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus), a potentially life-threatening condition in dogs. The dog's stomach becomes twisted, trapping air and fluid, and progressively gets larger. Left untreated, this can lead to shock and ultimately death.
If a puppy or dog has dry heaves or vomits it usually constitutes an emergency. If you notice these signs in your dog it may have a problem that requires veterinary attention, so please make an appointment to have him checked out as soon as possible. The veterinarian may order blood tests and urinalysis. Your pet may need to have x-rays or ultrasound studies of the stomach, intestine, pancreas, and gallbladder.
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