What is Inducing Vomiting?
Inducing vomiting in your dog should only be undertaken either on the advice of a veterinarian or by a veterinarian, as there are medical conditions that make this unadvisable. Inducing vomiting in a dog is an emergency treatment used to expel a toxic or harmful substance from your dog's gastrointestinal tract, before it can be absorbed or cause damage. It must be undertaken shortly after ingestion, before the substance has passed through the stomach, to be effective.
In an emergency, your veterinarian may recommend you induce vomiting in your dog prior to transporting your dog to the veterinarian when time is critical. In these cases, only induce vomiting as instructed by your veterinarian. Certain poisons or existing medical conditions can be aggravated by this treatment, so it is important that your consult your veterinarian first. If possible, it is preferable to get veterinary treatment as it will be more effective and your pet can be closely monitored by your veterinarian in cases when poisoning has occurred.
Inducing Vomiting Procedure in Dogs
Induction of vomiting as a treatment to remove a toxic or harmful substance from your dog's gastrointestinal tract needs to be conducted within two to four hours of ingestion of the substance if it is going to be effective.
If your dog has ingested a harmful substance, contact your veterinarian to determine if you need to induce vomiting at home prior to visiting the vet or whether to transport your pet immediately to the vet for treatment. This decision will be based on how long it will take to get to the vet, whether the substance ingested and its toxicity can be identified or requires veterinary diagnosis, and the toxicity or potential damage of the substance ingested.
If your veterinarian recommends you induce vomiting, the most common method recommended is to administer 3% hydrogen peroxide, by mouth (orally). The usual dosage is 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of your pet’s weight. It can be administered by a syringe, turkey baster or eye dropper if available. This method usually results in your dog vomiting within 10 to 15 minutes, if it going to be effective. If possible, giving your dog a small meal prior to administering the hydrogen peroxide may help in the treatments effectiveness. If it does not work, it can be repeated once more. If a second attempt is unsuccessful, transport your dog to the veterinarian immediately. Regardless of whether your attempts at inducing vomiting in your dog are successful, your dog should be subsequently treated at veterinarian as vomiting only removes 40-60% of the ingested substance and further treatment of an ingested toxic substance may be required by your veterinarian. If you are unsure what substance your dog has ingested, take a sample of vomit with you to the veterinarian for analysis.
If vomiting is induced at your vet, he or she will administer an emetic that can be more effective than hydrogen peroxide and administer other follow up treatments.
For dogs, your veterinarian will administer apomorphine hydrochloride to induce vomiting. This medication may be administered orally, intravenously, or subcutaneously. It may be administered in a tablet placed under the eyelid (conjunctival sac) which dissolves and is absorbed; it is not as effective when administered intramuscularly. Vomiting usually occurs within 5-10 minutes. If administered using a tablet in the conjunctival (eyelid) membranes, excess dosage not absorbed can be removed when vomiting starts therefore avoiding administering more medication than is necessary. If it is not effective, additional dose are not useful.
Additional treatment with activated charcoal or other medication to prevent absorption of toxins may also be administered by your veterinarian and supportive care provided as necessary.
Efficacy of Inducing Vomiting in Dogs
Inducing vomiting will help minimize the effects of ingestion of a toxic or harmful substance. For the treatment to be useful it must be administered within 2-4 hours of ingestion. Antiemetics only remove about 40 to 60 perent of the stomach's contents, therefore while this is a useful emergency intervention to reduce the effect of a harmful substance being injested, further intervention by a veterinarian will be required. If conditions exist that preclude inducing vomiting, gastric lavage may be another treatment option.
Inducing Vomiting Recovery in Dogs
Recovery from induced vomiting will depend on what substance was induced, its toxicity level, timing of intervention, and how successful the treatment was.
Apomorphine can cause central nervous system side effects such as excitement or depression. Dehydration can result if vomiting is prolonged. Your dog may require supportive treatment during recovery for central nervous system (CNS) symptoms, dehydration, or organ damage caused by toxicity. A special diet may be recommended by your veterinarian to provide organ support and restore electrolyte balance to your dog. You should monitor your dog for any concerning symptoms and report them to your veterinarian.
Cost of Inducing Vomiting in Dogs
Treatment for inducing vomiting in your dog can vary widely. Depending on your location, inducing vomiting in your dog can range in cost from $300 to $500. Additional costs associated with treatment of ingestion, e.g. activated charcoal, medications, hospitalization and supportive therapy can range up to $5,000, depending on the severity of your pet’s condition and treatments required.
Dog Inducing Vomiting Considerations
Treatment is only effective shortly after ingestion, usually within 2 hours. CNS stimulation or depression is a side effect of apomorphine and dehydration from vomiting is a risk. Both of these side effects can receive supportive treatment from your veterinarian.
Side effects of peroxide are rare but can include peroxide-induced brain inflammation.
Animals that are at an increased danger of aspiration have an increased associated risk with emesis treatment of aspiration pneumonia. Dogs with laryngeal paralysis, megaesophagus, upper airway disease, and brachycephalic syndrome may be at increased risk for aspiration during vomiting and treatment with an alternative therapy such as gastric lavage may be considered.
If your dog is already showing symptoms of toxicity that include central nervous system symptoms, they are at an increased risk for aspiration, and as absorption of toxins has already occurred emesis may not be particularly effective.
Be sure to provide your veterinarian with information regarding any medications or conditions your dog has so they can determine the appropriateness of this treatment.
Inducing Vomiting Prevention in Dogs
Dogs are curious creatures. Removing toxic and harmful substances from your dog's environment so they are not apt to sample them or accidentally ingest them will prevent accidental poisonings or ingestions, and eliminate the need to induce vomiting in your dog. Be sure to identify all house and garden plants and check to see if they are toxic to your dog. Many common household and garden plant are not safe for dogs. Avoid giving human food to your dog unless you have checked whether they are appropriate for dogs. Many human foods such as grapes, chocolate, and citrus fruits are toxic to dogs. Remove small choking hazards from your dog's environment and keep all toxic substances such as household cleaners inaccessible to your pets. These precautions will also make your home safer for visitors with children or other pets.
Inducing Vomiting Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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My dog got into a pack of Orbit gum while I was helping my mom and cleaning the kitchen. Took 40 minutes max and when I came back to check on him I found only a few bits of the package on the floor. Mom told me it was an almost full pack so I knew this was bad. The nearest vet was closed (being after 10pm) and the closest open was over an hour away. I checked the dosage of hydrogen peroxide and induced him to vomit. I found bits of the gum in it when I cleaned it up. He vomited again about 15 min after the first time. No gum that I could see. Hes eaten a little bit and drank some water. He seems a little lethargic but I am keeping him up past his bedtime in order to watch him. No noticeable symptoms as of 2 hours since he first vomited.
What actions do I take now?
(About Mykah: GS/Husky mix, 85lbs.
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My 5 month old puppy who weighs about 45 pounds ate about 4 grapes. I induced vomiting with 3 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide. She threw up about three times and drank her whole bowl of water. She is currently eating while laying in bed (normal for her). Right before eating she was playing as normal. Is there anything I should watch for?
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My dog swallowed 2 long shoelaces tied together, i have given 1 dose of peroxide, he vomited but no strings. Can I give this treatment again? What is the best next step?
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Hello, I made my pittie vomit by using hydrogen peroxide and was successful. She ingested a rat bait block. I believe after an hour of us enducing vomiting 3-4 times that she is okay. However I want to be able to make sure there was no toxicity. She just ate and drank water. Is acting fine and there’s no CNS symptoms or depression. I don’t have the funds to take her to a pet ER. What should I do?
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My dog had ingested raisins and so we took him to the emergency vet to be induced for vomiting. He ate the raisins between 7 P.M. and 10 P.M. and he was at the vet at 11:30 P.M. He threw up multiple times yet during the night drank a lot of water and went out to urinate three times. He didn't really get any sleep and is very lethargic today. He isn't eating and is lying down most of the time. Is this normal? Should we take him back to the emergency vet?
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My dog ate half a cup of chocolate covered coffee beans. I took her to the vet within 10minutes from the inccident and she's been given hydrogen peroxide and activated charcoal after she vomited a large amount of the chocolate and the coffee beans. When we got home she ran to her water bowl and had the whole thing. Minutes later she vomited a large amount of black water with some more coffee beans. She's been running back to her water bowl every minute and desperately hitting it with her paw for more water. Every time she get's any water in she can't hold it down and vomits black liquid. It's been 3 hours since we've been home and she puked 6 times. Is this normal?!
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My dog ate a few small rubber bands last night. I induced vomiting with peroxide. He has vomited a few more times today. He has energy and wants to eat/drink/play. He had one BM with a rubber band in it.
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Hi there, my 10 week old boxer puppy ate 3 baclofen tablets this morning. We took him to the vets immediately and he gave him an injection to induce vomiting and it kicked in and he did throw up after a few minutes. He was very tired and slept for a few hours after receiving this. 8 hours on he has stopped vomiting but is very wobbly on his feet and is pacing around from place to place whining and crying wich makes me feel awful for his situation. He has had a small amount of food and water but it's the crying and wining I'm worried about. Could he be in any pain? We took him to the vets within minutes of him swallowing these pills so is the after effects of the jab he's maybe freaking out to? Thank you in advance.
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My 36 pound schnauzer ate a 3oz dark chocolate bar , and within 2 hours I rushed her to the vet. They induced vomiting and gave her activated charcoal. Her poop is black and she seems very tired. Is this normal?
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My dog 87 pound boxer mix ate a few green grapes. We induced vomiting witching 30 minutes using hydrogen peroxide. It worked. He vomited quite a few times. He drank some water and vomited again. Now he is resting. Is this normal? Should I with hold water for a while?
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Harris had been vomiting bile and foam off and on all day. As it began to increase later in the evening, I knew he had gotten something lodged. I induced with peroxide and he vomited up our newborn baby’s first hospital hat. He’s had fluid afterward and a small portion of dinner. He’s still coughing in his crate and, last I saw, vomiting up clear liquids. Is this normal for after inducing with peroxide?
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My 12lb chihuahua terrier mix, Wyatt, ate nearly a full bar of dark chocolate (70%). I ran him to the ER Vet within the 3-4 hour range. They induced vomiting. They did subcutaneous fluids and sent him home. He slept most of the night, ate scrambled eggs in the am and seemed ok but in discomfort and fatigue. Then he started dry heaving and honking like a goose being tortured--sometimes for 5 minutes straight but then a break of 10 minutes. We went back to the vet and they gave him an anti-nausea med and an antacid. He is still violently dry heaving and looks miserable. Do I go back to the vet?? What do I tell them?
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Dog ate my underwear. Yes. Ate it. It was ripped up in pieces however. So, I induced vomiting by giving a small dose of Hydrogen peroxide. He puked it up within 5 minutes and seems to be okay. I just don’t know what to do next. Like what should I watch for? Should I feed him? He won’t drink water. However this happened literally 10 minutes ago. I’m worried because I’m unsure of what to do now.
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My puppy who is 9weeks old and 10-13pounds ate 2 red frozen grapes. Induced vomiting with preoxied but only got a very little amount of dog food (no visible grapes) I'll be calling his vet in the morning to see if they want to bring him in but I am very concerned. Will 2 red grapes be deadly to tut?
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My 6&7 year old yorkies brokenthru a baby gate and stole my daughters plate of fruit. Grapes, pineapple, cantaloupe and apples. I induced vomiting in both immediately. One is still vomiting 12 hours later. The other vomited randomly once. They have drank some and did urinate a little. They are both latharic. I am worried something is wrong still. Please help.
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Our 11lb shih tzu chewed off the corners of a dcon mouse poison block but didn’t eat the whole thing. He done this sometime within the four hours we were gone. When we got home we induced vomiting immediately and he threw up numerous times. He’s not showing any symptoms at all. Should we induce vomiting again? Can we buy vitamin k1 over the counter?
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I had to induce vomit my 14 year old miniature dachshund the morning after she got into some Easter candy. She vomited, drank water, and eaten a scramble egg, but she seems to be having a little trouble with her hind legs. She can still walk around just taking her longer to get going. I an nervous this is a side effect of the peroxide?
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Hi there I really need some advice.
I have a 10 week old boxer puppy who ingested 3 baclofen tablets earlier, we took him to the vets immediately and he gave him an injection to induce vomiting (it worked). When we got home 15 mins later he was very tired and slept alot (along with vomiting a Little). About 8 hours later he's very wobbly on hisfeet, wining, crying and howling all the time and pacing around. Is this normal after effects of this injection? In very worried he is in pain. He has had small amounts of food and small drinks of water. Thank you.
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My dog was chewing on a ibuprofen bottle and he may have ingested a tablet but i’m not sure. I gave him the recommended dose of hydrogen peroxide, but he did not throw up. I am now thinking that he probably didn’t eat the ibuprofen but i’m worried that the hydrogen peroxide could harm him since he didn’t throw it up. Help?? He doesn’t seem to be showing any symptoms but it has only been 2 hours.
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