By Dr. Sherry Weaver
Any pet that eats grass will probably vomit the grass and stomach contents.Grass has no food or medicinal value whatsoever to a dog or cat and can cause gastrointestinal tract irritation or bleeding.
First aid remedies for vomiting can be helpful or can be your pet’s worst enemy depending upon the cause of the vomiting. Using kaopectate, pepto bismol or herbal remedies for vomiting due to a foreign object penetration of the stomach or intestine can be disastrous!
Your judgment regarding the seriousness of the vomiting is critical. If the vomit contains any blood at all, call the veterinarian immediately! If your pet seems alert, active, and unconcerned about the vomiting, then you may try cautious observation at home. Withhold food for 12-24 hours and allow water in small amounts. Keep in mind that many small breeds of dogs can suffer severe consequences from low blood sugar if food is unavailable for longer than 18 to 24 hours.
After the vomiting has ceased for 4 hours, you may give ice chips or small amount of water for 12 hours. If vomiting has not resumed, slowly increase the amount of water and food again over the next 24 hours. If the animal is not interested in food, vomits repeatedly, or seems cramped or in pain, it’s definitely time to call the veterinarian.
