When your dog vomits after taking medication, it’s a worrying sign and means we need to understand why it’s happening.
The most common reasons for dogs vomiting after medication are side effects, incorrect dosages, and allergic reactions. Always consult your vet, monitor your pet closely, and ensure proper medication administration for your dog’s safety.
This guide will explain why some dogs sometimes vomit after taking medication and what you can do about it.
Common Reasons Why Dogs Vomit After Medication?
When your dog vomits after taking medication, it’s a cause for concern and warrants a deeper understanding of potential reasons.
Here are the three most common causes.
1. Side Effects Of Certain Medications
Even though medication for your dog is required when it’s sick, some medicines can cause side effects.
For example, antibiotics help fight off infections but can upset a dog’s tummy and cause vomiting.
This is because antibiotics are known to disrupt the delicate balance of your dog’s gut flora.
Similarly, anti-inflammatories and pain meds can irritate the dog’s stomach lining and make it nauseous.
Unless otherwise directed, it is helpful to give a small snack with medication to help reduce upset tummies and stomach ulcers.
Plus, it might be easier to give your dog medication if it is hidden in a tasty treat.
2. Incorrect Dosage or Administration
Mistakes can happen easily, especially when measuring liquid medicines or cutting pills.
Giving your dog the right amount of medicine is very important.
If your dog gets too much medicine, it can be harmful and cause serious problems like vomiting or potential problems with other organ functions.
But too little and the medicine might not work as it should.
Mistakes can happen easily, especially when measuring liquid medicines or cutting pills.
I know of many dog owners who have given their dogs a double dose of flea medication.
Sometimes, using the wrong syringe or not understanding the vet’s instructions can lead to these mistakes.
Sometimes, using the wrong syringe or not understanding the vet’s instructions can lead to these mistakes.
Also, be mindful if there are multiple pets at home that one does not accidentally receive the other’s meds, especially if they are different sizes.
And if any medication is spilled or dropped, clean it up quickly to avoid accidental ingestion.
Lastly, be sure the medication is stored properly.
For example, if it is supposed to be refrigerated and is left out on the counter all night, it may not be effective or become spoiled by morning.
3. Sensitivity Or Allergic Reactions
Just like people, each dog is different and can react differently to different medicines.
Some dogs might be allergic or very sensitive to certain drugs or the flavoring of the drug. These allergic reactions can be small or big.
If your dog is allergic to a medicine, you might see it vomit, get hives, swell up, have trouble breathing, develop diarrhea, or act differently all of a sudden.
Immediate Steps to Take When Your Dog Vomits Post-Medication
Assessing Your Dog’s Condition
After your dog vomits, it’s important to carefully watch how it acts and looks.
Look for signs that it is in distress, very tired or seems to be in pain.
Check the vomit for any signs of blood, strange colors or if you can see the medicine in it.
This can help your vet understand what’s happening.
Watch for other signs of sickness like diarrhea, loss of appetite or changes in how much it drinks.
These signs can tell you if your dog is having a bad reaction and how serious it might be.
Keep Your Dog Comfortable
Keep your dog in a safe and calm place after it vomits. The dog might be feeling somewhat anxious or uneasy after puking.
Give them a quiet and cozy spot to rest.
It’s okay to try and comfort your dog but some prefer to be alone when they don’t feel good.
Make sure your dog has access to clean water for hydration purposes.
When To Contact Your Vet Immediately
If your dog is showing serious signs such as:
- Non-stop vomiting
- Blood in the vomit
- Looking weak
- Having trouble breathing
You need to call your vet right away.
This is really important, especially if your dog already has existing health problems.
If your dog doesn’t start feeling better or gets worse in a few hours, it’s important to get help from your vet too.
Should I Redose My Dog After Vomiting?
Before you decide to give your dog the medicine again, it’s important to consult with your vet before doing so.
If your dog vomits right after taking the medicine, it probably means it threw up the medication.
But if the vomiting occurs a few hours later, the medicine might have already been absorbed.
Check the vomit for any signs of the medicine, like pieces of pills or capsules.
This shows that the medicine wasn’t fully absorbed.
Before you decide to give your dog the medicine again, it’s important to consult with your vet before doing so.
How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Absorb Medication?
Most medications can be fully absorbed by your dog within 20-40 minutes but it might take longer to see an effect.
There might be tablets or pills that are coated to allow for a slower release of the content if necessary.
Medication in liquid form or injected into your dog can be absorbed a lot quicker than a tablet.
How To Prevent Vomiting After Medication?
If your dog often gets an upset stomach from medicine, there are a few ways to help them keep it down.
1. Feed Your Dog A Bland Diet
When my dog isn’t feeling 100% and is on medication, I will put my dog on a bland diet such as boiled chicken and white rice during that period.
Another secret ingredient is to add some chicken broth to my dog’s food.
Chicken broth is a great appetite stimulant for sick dogs and there are some health benefits too.
Please do not allow your dog to eat human food or anything that’s not too healthy for the time being.
2. Feed With Some Food
Some medications such as pain meds can be harsh on your dog’s stomach.
Having some food in your dog’s belly can help ‘soften’ the harshness and keep your dog’s stomach calm.
This works great if you have to feed your dog outside of its meal times.
Just let your dog have a small snack first and then feed it the medicine.
However, some medicines are to be taken before food so just be sure of the instructions.
3. Use A Pill Pocket
If you have a dog that gets very anxious when it comes to taking medication, using a pill pocket can help.
A pill pocket is a little squishy, stinky snack that allows you to hide a pill in it.
This is a great way to camouflage the medication and most pets really like them.
A dog that is so anxious and fearful when swallowing a pill can send its central nervous system into overdrive.
Doing so can make the dog regurgitate or even vomit up its medicine.
4. Change The Medication
If your dog often has bad reactions like vomiting after taking a certain medicine, it might not be suitable for it.
A different type of medication might be required for your dog.
Before you switch medicines, it’s important to talk to your vet.
Your vet can also recommend other medicines or treatments that might work better and not make your dog feel sick.
Ultimately the goal is to help our pets feel better with medicine if indicated and not make them feel worse.
Iggy Thorne, also known as ‘Iggy the Explorer,’ is a seasoned writer with a flair for adventure and a deep love for animals.
Not only does he craft captivating stories often set in the great outdoors, but he’s also a dedicated pet owner who has owned and fostered both dogs and cats.
His expertise in animal care extends to volunteering at local shelters, making him a credible voice in pet ownership.
With a unique blend of humor and adventure, Iggy’s writing is as engaging as it is informative.