Nausea in dogs is troublesome for owners to watch and uncomfortable for dogs. In this article, I, Ivana Crnec, DVM, will explain the causes and symptoms of nausea in dogs and cover the main nausea medicine options.
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Content:
Causes and Signs of Nausea in Dogs
Nausea in dogs is caused by dietary indiscretions, like eating non-edible items or human foods, trash raiding, overeating, food gulping, long fasting, or sudden dog food switches.
More severe causes of nausea are pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney problems, allergies, cancer, and toxic substance ingestions. Other culprits are motion sickness and vestibular disease.
"Nausea is also a common side effect of cancer treatments and can be caused by anesthesia, surgery, chemotherapy drugs, radiation, or other medications," says Amanda Hensley, DVM, in an article for DogCancer.
Telltale signs of nausea in dogs include:
- Lip licking
- Drooling
- Repeated swallowing
- Panting
- Retching
- Bracing stance
- Yawning
- Whining
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How to Help Dog Nausea
Help a dog with nausea by withholding food and treats for a couple of hours. Some dogs retain appetite when nauseated, but eating puts extra pressure on the stomach, making things worse.
Provide water, but do not let it overdrink; you want to avoid dehydration while allowing the stomach to recover. If your dog is not showing additional worrisome signs, monitor the situation.
Contact the vet immediately if the nausea persists, the dogs starts vomiting, or other symptoms emerge. Worrisome signs are diarrhea, blood in the vomit, lethargy, abdominal pain, or fever.
Nausea Medicine for Dogs
Unless there is a serious underlying cause warranting immediate attention, the vet will suggest a nausea medication, such as:
- Maropitant Citrate (Cerenia): Maropitant is an antiemetic sold under the brand name Cerenia. It is the only FDA-approved medication for nausea control in dogs. The formula is fast-acting, non-drowsy, and available in multiple dosing sizes.
- Ondansetron (Zofran): Ondansetron blocks the neurotransmitter serotonin, which causes nausea. The medication was used to control chemotherapy-triggered nausea, but research suggests it is also helpful for dogs with vestibular syndrome.
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine): Dimenhydrinate is a popular antihistamine used for dog allergy control. Because of its mild sedating effect, it is uniquely fit for relieving nausea caused by motion sickness and vestibular disease.
- Metoclopramide (Reglan): Metoclopramide suppresses dog nausea by regulating GI tract movement. According to a 2018 study, it is excellent for reducing nausea and vomiting in premedicated dogs preparing for surgery.
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FAQs
What Can I Give My Dog for Nausea?
You can give your dog Dramamine for nausea because it is available over the counter, but it is advisable to consult the vet before self-medicating.
Conclusion
Dog nausea has various causes, some more serious than others. Consult the veterinarian and manage the situation at home or make a trip to the vet’s office, depending on the case.
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