Diagnosing Cat And Dog Vomiting

Diagnosing Cat and Dog Vomiting As easy as it is to tell that an animal is vomiting, it is difficult to find out why. Among the tests to determine the cause are plain X-rays, barium X-rays, toxicology testing, blood tests, fecal tests, fluoroscopy, esophagoscopy and muscle biopsy.

X-rays for the vomiting cat or dog

X-rays are often done first to exclude the possibility of a foreign object in the stomach, such as a sock or tennis ball.

Barium X-rays for the vomiting cat or dog

If plain X-rays don’t identify a problem, barium X-rays that coat the stomach and intestines make it possible to see fabric objects like chewed socks.

Toxicology testing for the vomiting cat or dog

When poisoning is suspected, vomitus is sent to pathology labs for toxicology testing. Strychnine, rat poison, and lethal plants such as the Yew can be identified in vomitus.

Fluoroscopy for the vomiting cat or dog

Fluoroscopy allows the veterinarian to watch the muscles of the esophagus contract. Veterinarians can watch food pass from the mouth to the stomach. Fluoroscopy is especially useful when pets have esophageal problems or muscle problems that prevent the esophagus from contracting and passing food along to the stomach.

Esophagoscopy and Endoscopy for the vomiting cat or dog

Passing a thin, narrow tube with a magnification device inside the body is called endoscopy, and the instrument is an endoscope. If the endoscope is used to examine the esophagus, the procedure is called an esophagoscopy. If the scope continues beyond the esophagus into the stomach, the procedure is called an endoscopy. Esophagoscopy allows the veterinarian to see worms within the esophagus (Spirocerca) or cancer masses. Endoscopy allows the veterinarian to see ulcers, tumors, and the stomach worm, Physaloptera, inside the stomach.

Food Allergies for the vomiting cat or dog

When all these tests are negative, food allergies are suspected. This is called a diagnosis of exclusion. Skin tests and blood tests can be done, but are not very useful. Vomiting and symptoms caused by foods don’t correlate well with skin and blood tests. Among the most common food allergies are beets, corn, food color, milk, potatoes, soy, tomatoes, wheat, and yeast. Pets can also be allergic to peanuts and shellfish, just as people are.

The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians   Date Category Topic 05/01/06  Digestive Care  WHY DOES MY CAT VOMIT OFF AND ON 04/28/06  Digestive Care  CONTINUOUS VOMITING 04/27/06  Digestive Care  DOG GETTING SICK 03/28/06  Other  DIAHREA, HEAVY BREATHING... 03/23/06  Digestive Care  THROWING UP 03/13/06  Urinary Tract/Kidneys  VOMITING BLOOD 03/05/06  Wormer  GARLIC AS WORMER TREATMENT 02/02/06  Other  SICK DOG? 01/28/06  Digestive Care  MY DOG HASN'T EATEN IN 4 DAYS 01/12/06  Digestive Care  VOMITING 12/26/05  Digestive Care  PANCREATITIS 12/15/05  Other  LIVER DISORDER 12/12/05  Digestive Care  INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE 12/09/05  Hormonal/Endocrine  SYMPTOMS OF PANCREATITIS 12/09/05  Digestive Care  DOG VOMITS EVERY DAY, SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY 1 2 »»

 

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