Dog Throwing Up Yellow Bile

Throwing up or vomiting is common in dogs and has an array of causes or reasons for its occurrence. Inflammation of stomach and upper intestinal tract, and accumulation of toxins in the blood are considered to be the root causes of dog throwing up yellow liquid or yellow bile. Therefore, it becomes important for all dog owners to know the causes as well as the treatment for the dog throwing up yellow bile, which can signal a serious, life-threatening problem such as dehydration, pancreatitis or an intestinal obstruction in dogs.

Causes

Gastritis, unfriendly new or raw foods, ingestion of non-food items, speedy eating, bile overproduction, and anxiety are some common causes for dog throwing up bile. Unlike humans who prepare digestive acid once food is in the stomach, dogs make the yellow bile or stomach acid in anticipation of a meal. If there is no food, dogs have to vomit or throw up yellow bile to keep it from burning their stomachs. Hence, empty stomach or long intervals between the meals can cause excess acid accumulation in the stomach which can lead to stomach irritation or inflammation and vomiting in dogs.

Some pet owners also observe their dog throwing up bile after eating or immediately after a meal. This happens because the bile and gastric fluids irritate the stomach beforehand, and adding food to an already upset stomach can make the condition even more worse. Ingestion of unfamiliar food items can cause gastritis in dogs which is inflammation of the stomach lining, leading to vomiting or throwing up in dogs. Another cause for the dog throwing up yellow bile can be inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), that causes a decrease in gastric mobility due to infectious agents and abnormalities in the immune system.

Treatment

Pepcid or other similar medications like Zantac and Tagamet containing drugs like cimetidine, famotidine or ranitidine can aid by controlling the production of bile and stomach acids, thereby reducing the concentration of the fluids that are the source of the dog's stomach problems. Consult your veterinarian to prescribe a dosage based upon your dog's weight. In place of feeding one or two large meals per day, divide your pet's daily food portion into three or four smaller meals. A snack later in the evening and/or early in the morning will most likely solve the problem as this will keep the stomach full and avoid accumulation of bile and gastric fluids.

Also avoid feeding your pet wet dog food or hydrated kibble to reduce the chances of stomach upset and vomiting as dry, dehydrated kibble absorbs fluids and expands once it reaches the stomach. If your pet is allergic to any food item, avoid giving him/her that food as it may cause some allergic reactions in the stomach, which may eventually lead to throwing up or vomiting in dogs. Dogs with excess bile and stomach acids, should avoid activities like running, playing or jumping after having meal to limit the possibility of vomiting or throwing up.

Many dogs are prone to throwing up yellow bile on a regular basis. Fortunately, this problem of canine vomiting and upset stomach often resolves very easily, with some basic changes in feeding frequency, medications and pet care. However in case, the aforementioned remedies do not lead to any improvement in the dog's symptoms i.e., dog throwing up yellow bile; without any delay, visit your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.