Puppies seem adorable as well as fragile, which is why their care raises frequent doubts that become a great concern when we detect that our puppy is not eating and, moreover, is vomiting. In this article on our site we are going to explain the most likely causes that can cause our puppy to lose its appetite, as well as those that can cause vomiting. In addition, we will review the possible solutions. If you live with a puppy, this article interests you, so read on to find out why your puppy doesn't eat and vomits
Recommendations to prevent he alth problems
Puppies do not yet have a mature immune system and this makes them more prone to he alth problems. It is therefore very important to follow the guidelines below:
- Deworming, both internal and external, following the recommendations of our trusted veterinarian because parasites that go unnoticed in adult dogs can give the puppies trouble.
- Vaccination, always respecting the times set in the vaccination calendar for them to be effective. Vaccines protect dogs from life-threatening infectious diseases.
- Food, preferably specific feed for puppies, since it is the one that will adapt to their growth needs.
- Safe environment because puppies are naturally curious, making it easy for them to access dangerous substances or objects.
- Adequate activity to your needs, but avoiding contact with dogs whose he alth status we do not know while our puppy has not completed his vaccines. This way we avoid unnecessary risks.
Observing these guidelines it is easy for us to detect immediately when our puppy does not eat and vomits, reasons why we will seek veterinary assistance, since it will be this professional who must investigate the possible causes, as well as prescribe the proper treatment. On the other hand, it should be noted that some puppies, especially those with a weaker immune system, may present as side effects after vaccination or deworming the presence of vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite, although they are effects that occur rarely, being more common inflammation, and even abscess at the site of inoculation, and fever. In these cases, the clinical picture disappears after 24-48 hours. If not, you should go to the vet.
The clinical picture
As we say, verifying that our puppy does not eat and, in addition, vomits, is reason for a veterinary consultation without wasting time, since a puppy can quickly become dehydrated if it is losing liquids and does not replace them. The most common cause of vomiting in dogs is the ingestion of substances that cannot be digested. In puppies, in addition, vomiting can occur after consuming large amounts of food before exercising. Lastly, and most worryingly, vomiting is one of the symptoms of infectious diseases and also of chronic diseases such as kidney failure. This vomiting can be of different types, each one will have a different origin and, therefore, its own treatment. In puppies the most common vomiting will present the following characteristics:
- Parasites: We will see worms in the vomit or feces, they usually look like white spaghetti. They indicate a heavy parasitic infestation.
- Food: the more or less digested feed will be identified.
- Blood: can be fresh, digested (dark brown), clots, etc.
- Foreign bodies: Pieces or even a whole ingested object, such as a stone or a ball, may appear.
In addition to vomiting and anorexia (lack of appetite), we can observe other symptoms in our puppy such as diarrhoea, fever, lethargy, apathy, etc., depending on the cause responsible for the symptoms. In the following sections we will develop these possible causes.
Your puppy is not eating and is vomiting due to the presence of parasites
Episodes of vomiting and anorexia can be caused by significant infestations of intestinal parasites Therefore, if our puppy does not eat and vomits We must take it to the veterinarian to proceed to its diagnosis, taking a stool sample by inserting the thermometer rectally and observing it under a microscope. Sometimes specific detection methods or taking several samples from different days will be needed. The treatment will correspond to the parasite to be eradicated, since there are different specific products. Although it is rare for an infestation to cause serious problems in a he althy, adult animal, in puppies severe untreated parasitic infections can have fatal consequences. For this reason, we must emphasize and insist on the importance of deworming, following the guidelines recommended by the veterinarian.
Your puppy is vomiting, has diarrhea and has lost his appetite due to viral infectious diseases
Some ailments as serious as parvovirus are characterized by intense vomiting and diarrhea with a characteristic odor. We must think about this viral infection especially if our puppy has not yet been vaccinated. It requires urgent veterinary assistance To detect it, there are tests on the market that detect the presence of the virus in a drop of blood in just a few minutes. As for the treatment, it is only supportive, since there is no medication that eliminates the virus. Thus, the puppy will be given fluid therapy to combat dehydration caused by fluid loss, antibiotics to control opportunistic bacterial infections and, in addition, antiemetic drugs (stop vomiting), gastric protectors, vitamin B12 or analgesics can be used.
Other illnesses as serious as distemper can also cause vomiting and anorexia. Since there is no treatment, the best measure is prevention. Let's not stop vaccinating our puppy, since a properly vaccinated animal can become infected but it is rarer and, if it does, the clinical picture and, consequently, the risk to its life, will be much lower. Therefore, if our unvaccinated puppy does not eat and vomits, we should run to the vet.
Your puppy is not eating and is vomiting from gastroenteritis
Like humans, dogs can also suffer from digestive inflammation. In these cases we will see that our puppy does not eat and vomits, and may also present diarrhea and even fever. Normally these processes resolve themselves in 24-48 hours, although drugs against vomiting and diarrhea or gastric protectors can be used. Only in the most severe cases, when fluid loss is profuse, will it be necessary to administer intravenous, subcutaneous or oral fluids. In case of doubt, it is possible to carry out the parvovirus test to establish the diagnosis with certainty.
The causes of these gastrointestinal inflammations can be varied, such as the ingestion of garbage or spoiled food, feces, grass, bones, medications or toxic products. To prevent this type of problem, it is important that we restrict the puppy's access to any food source other than its specific feed. This includes avoiding eating garbage, at home or on the street, or even food for human consumption, which can also cause intestinal inflammation. In these cases, to reintroduce food after vomiting, we can use wet or dry food specific for these disorders, sold in veterinary clinics, or foods such as rice or chicken, which should be offered cooked and without s alt.
Vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia can also be caused by a food allergy to some component of the feed. If the condition continues over time, it can result in considerable weight loss, which will be an alarm signal for us to go to the veterinarian, who will rule out the possible causes to find the diagnosis. The treatment will involve changing the feed to a specific hypoallergenic one for allergies. Generally, they are based on a composition without the usual proteins (such as chicken), replaced by salmon or foal, for example. These allergies can also manifest as skin problems.
Your puppy vomits and does not want to eat due to ingestion of foreign bodies
The curiosity of any puppy can lead to the ingestion of inadvisable objects, which will cause vomiting in an attempt by the body to get rid of the object in question. They are usually bones, toys, sticks, stones, clothes, balls, ropes, etc. The intake of any of these elements can explain why the puppy does not eat and vomits. In this case, it will be the veterinarian who must carry out the diagnosis. Generally, in a plate it is possible to observe the majority of materials that can be ingested. Depending on the object or objects, as well as their location, surgical intervention may be necessary or, at least, an extraction through an endoscope. As already mentioned, we must insist on prevention, creating a safe environment for our puppy, avoiding any contact with potentially dangerous materials.
