It’s not uncommon for Shih Tzus to vomit occasionally for various reasons, from minor to more serious. For instance, your dog might rummage through the trash and vomit as a way to get rid of spoiled food in their stomach.
However, if your Shih Tzu vomits regularly, it could be a symptom of a serious condition, including infection, pancreatitis, toxin exposure, cancer, or gastrointestinal obstruction. Take care of your Shih Tzu if they have vomited and know when to seek a veterinarian.
Addressing Immediate Needs
Check for signs of shock. If your Shih Tzu displays symptoms of shock, they may need immediate veterinary attention. These symptoms include:
– Pale skin and gums
– Abnormal behavior
– Fainting
– Weakness
– Difficulty getting up and walking
– Reluctance to lift their head
– Apathy
Keep your Shih Tzu warm and comfortable. After vomiting, reassure them that they’ve done nothing wrong and encourage them to lie down and rest. If they seem cold or are trembling, cover them with a blanket and provide plenty of attention and support.
Give them some time. Help your dog get comfortable on the floor so they don’t need to try to stand and walk.
Clean dirty fur with a warm, damp towel. Dry vomit can make your dog’s fur dull, so it’s a good idea to clean it. Only do this after your Shih Tzu has rested for a while, and stop if they become nervous.
Consider placing Shih Tzu mats or old towels under their chin and around them to prevent soiling the carpet if they get sick again. Some Shih Tzus recognize dog mats as appropriate places to relieve themselves, reducing their anxiety about making a mess.
Look for signs that your Shih Tzu might vomit again. Keep an eye on your dog after vomiting, as repeated vomiting requires veterinary care. Signs that your dog may vomit again include retching or a choking sound; stiff posture and wandering aimlessly.
Recognizing Emergency Situations
Seek a veterinarian immediately for gastric torsion treatment. If your Shih Tzu vomits but nothing comes out, they may have a serious and dangerous condition called gastric torsion. Symptoms include repeated attempts to vomit without producing vomit and drooling (because they can’t swallow it).
Your Shih Tzu needs immediate treatment for gastric torsion, as this serious condition can be fatal within hours if left untreated.
Check for dehydration. After your Shih Tzu vomits, they may feel nauseous and not want to drink. This behavior, along with vomiting fluids, can lead to dehydration if the amount lost exceeds the amount ingested. If your Shih Tzu shows early signs of dehydration, give them an electrolyte drink mixed with water every few hours for a day. If dehydration doesn’t improve, consult a veterinarian.
Initial signs of dehydration include:
– Heavy panting
– Dry mouth, nose, or gums
– Visible lethargy
– Dry or sunken eyes
– Lack of skin elasticity (skin doesn’t immediately return to place when lifted and released)
– Weakness in limbs (a late sign of dehydration)
– Lack of balance when walking (a late sign of dehydration)
Know when to contact the veterinarian. If vomiting has a simple and direct cause, like after rummaging through the trash, you can often care for your dog at home by offering fluids and withholding food. However, always pay attention to signs that your dog needs immediate veterinary attention. These include:
– Retching without vomiting
– After vomiting once or twice, your Shih Tzu still appears apathetic and sad
– Vomiting for more than four hours or inability to keep liquids in the stomach
– Vomiting blood, indicating a severe stomach ulcer
– Expert Tip
Veterinarian Pippa Elliott suggests: “Always trust your instincts as an owner. Contact a veterinarian and seek help if you feel something is wrong. It’s better to spend on a consultation than to ignore a potential health issue.”
Determining and Eliminating the Cause of Vomiting
Distinguish vomiting from regurgitation to determine the correct treatment. Shih Tzus often regurgitate undigested food without abdominal effort and without showing signs of other diseases. When regurgitating, a Shih Tzu may just need to raise the food so gravity can help pass it into the stomach. However, if the dog forcefully vomits the stomach contents, this means their muscles are contracting. You’ll notice the dog arching and the vomit likely has a foul odor.
Regurgitation is often a sign of problems in the esophagus or other early stages of the digestive process. For example, dogs often overeat too quickly. In this case, the expelled food won’t be digested, and its shape will be tubular.
If your Shih Tzu regularly regurgitates food, place their food on a chair but also take them to the veterinarian.
Consider the causes of vomiting. Reflect on your dog’s recent diet, behavior, emotions, and environmental conditions to determine what might be causing the vomiting. For example, consider recent outings and whether they might