Something weird just happened, and I'm really worried about my puppy. He's just 13 weeks old, and he was playing like his usual energetic self this afternoon, but suddenly he started vomiting and is now dry-heaving. It's been a few hours, and he looks so uncomfortable, poor thing. I haven't changed his food recently, and he didn’t seem to get into anything weird, at least not that I saw. I don’t know if I should wait it out or rush him to the vet considering he's so young. Is this normal for puppies? Any advice would be really appreciated!
Thanks for reaching out about your 13-week-old puppy's vomiting and dry-heaving. I completely understand why you’re worried—puppies are more susceptible to dehydration and other complications.
Vomiting and dry-heaving in puppies can be caused by several things, such as eating too quickly, ingesting something they shouldn’t have, or even motion sickness if they’ve been traveling. Sometimes, it could indicate a food intolerance or a gastrointestinal issue like an infection or parasite.
For at-home care, make sure your pup stays hydrated. Offer small amounts of water but avoid giving them any food until they’ve stopped vomiting for a couple of hours. Once things settle a bit, introduce a bland diet like plain boiled chicken and rice in small quantities.
Watch for signs that indicate it might be something more serious, such as lethargy, blood in the vomit, diarrhea, or if they can't keep water down. Puppies can dehydrate quickly, so if any of these symptoms occur, seek veterinary care promptly.
To get more clarity on your puppy's condition and tailored advice, consider booking a video consult with one of us at Dial A Vet. It’ll be helpful to see your puppy and discuss any other symptoms he might be showing.
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