Regurgitation of food is not the same as vomiting. It refers to times when your dog brings up their food as soon as they swallow it. If this happens once or twice, they may just have eaten too quickly, but repeated regurgitation should be addressed by your vet. Here's what you need to know about regurgitation in dogs:
Causes
Some breeds, including Labradors and German shepherds, seem to be genetically predisposed to the condition, but it can occur in any breed. Common causes include:
Symptoms
Aside from the act of bringing up their food, your dog may also display the following symptoms when experiencing regurgitation:
Diagnosis & Treatment
Your vet will examine your dog's throat and use diagnostic imaging to determine why your dog is regurgitating their food. X-rays of the throat and chest can identify blockages and endoscopy, which involves passing a tiny camera down your dog's throat, can allow the vet to see the condition of your dog's oesophagus and take tissue biopsies. Blood tests can also help diagnose an underlying disease by flagging up inflammation or infection.
Once the cause of the regurgitation has been established, your vet will propose a treatment plan to correct or limit the severity of the condition. Treatment may include:
As you can see, regurgitation can have potentially serious causes, so take your dog to a clinic like Belmont Avenue Veterinary Hospital if they're bringing up their food or displaying any of the associated symptoms of regurgitation.
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