Alice White
Many dog owners are unsettled when their four-legged friend vomits yellow. Mostly this is harmless, but it can also indicate serious reasons.
It is an alarm signal for all dog owners when the four-legged friend vomits foamy yellow. But above all, because it usually happens so suddenly. But here it is, first of all, to keep a cool head and clarify the causes. In a further step, the veterinarian should be consulted if necessary. Not every vomiting of this type is really worrying. We explain everything you need to know about it.
How to Tell If the Dog is Vomiting Bile?
First of all, the special color is characteristic. What is called bile is a frothy, dirty-whitish liquid that is free of any food debris. The end result is a yellow, rather liquid, but slightly gelatinous foam full of air bubbles.
Why is My Dog Vomiting Yellow?
Many dog owners then often turn to the vet with concern and ask for help. In fact, straw-colored vomit is first and foremost the symptom of gastrointestinal disorder due to the build-up of bile and gastric juices. Since the yellow color comes from the bile, this sputum is also known as biliary vomiting. So-called acid vomiting is caused by gastric juices, which in turn are whitish in color.
What is bile in the dog?
Bile is an important digestive fluid that is released into the intestines after meals. However, it can also get back into the stomach from here (gastric-duodenal reflux) and then cause irritation of the mucous membrane. This is then the cause of yellow vomiting. In fact, only in very few cases does this indicate a serious illness. Only if this occurs frequently in the animal or even becomes chronic, the vet should definitely be consulted.
Fasting as a reason for yellow phlegm
Most of the time, prolonged fasting is the reason for vomiting bile. An important indication of this is the fact that there is no solid material in the yellow vomit. If there is no food in the stomach to digest, gastric juices and bile can irritate the stomach lining. Vomiting is then just a defense reaction of the gastrointestinal system to get rid of excess digestive acids.
Other Causes of Bile Vomiting
But there may be other, more worrisome reasons for this. The following are possible, for example:
- Poisoning;
- Absorption of foreign bodies/closures;
- Absorption of toxic substances;
- Prolonged use of certain anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Some intestinal or liver diseases (e.g. parasites).
In addition, even anxiety and excessive arousal can trigger vomiting of bile. Owners of very nervous dogs should keep this in mind.
If yellow vomiting occurs, again and again, the cause should be clarified by a veterinarian. He checks whether a serious illness could possibly be present.
What to Do If the Dog Vomits Yellow Foam?
In such a case you should first of all check whether solid food residues can still be seen in the yellow foam. For example, the remains of some blades of grass indicate that your dog has already “treated” the gastrointestinal irritation himself. He ate the blades of grass to provoke vomiting. But if this occurs more frequently, you should take action.
Then check the general condition of the animal. Is it very tired? Does it seem a little limp or dejected? This is normal with stomach irritation and vomiting is also not a pleasant process.
What to Do If You Have Other Symptoms?
If you notice any other additional symptoms during or after bile regurgitation, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. This clarifies what to do then.
Some examples of other symptoms are:
The dog is trembling and vomiting yellow
If you perceive a clear tremor at the same time, the vomiting can also have other reasons than simply fasting for a longer period of time. Check to see if your dog may be suffering from severe anxiety right now.
The dog is vomiting yellow and has diarrhea
If there is no vomiting of bile, but also diarrhea, there may be a food intolerance in the broadest sense. This ranges from problems with the food the dog consumed to poisoning. But there can also be generally poor digestion. This should always be discussed with the veterinarian.
Dog vomits yellow and does not eat
If yellow vomiting occurs in combination with loss of appetite, the veterinarian should be contacted. Of course, it is not abnormal if the dog does not want to eat immediately after vomiting, but this should happen again. Lack of appetite is never good in dogs, so the doctor’s opinion is especially important here.
Is There a Difference Between Older Dogs and Puppies?
The clear answer: no. There are generally no differences here. However, vomiting of bile is more common in younger dogs when they have parasites. In contrast, older dogs are more likely to have serious illnesses when they vomit bile.
