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Did you know? Ipecac is no longer recommended
for inducing vomiting. Seek veterinary attention if
your dog is in pain, discomfort, or distress.
Artwork: Melissa Garcia Logan
If it hasn't happened in your household, chances are good you know someone to whom it's happened. The bag of dog food is left out, a cabinet door is left open, and the next thing you know you're watching your groaning, distended dog waddle away from an all you can eat buffet of dog food.
A series of emotions may run through you at this moment: Anger that so much food has been wasted; amusement from watching a newly fat dog trying to waddle around with 2 lbs of kibble in his stomach; and ultimately concern. Why concern? Dogs can get sick from this kind of overconsumption. If they get into human food, it can cause gastritis, pancreatitis, and even poisoning, depending on the ingredients. If they get into kibble, dogs may feel fine until the dry kibble starts to absorb liquid and expand.
Overeating can cause serious problems for your dog, serious enough to warrant a trip to the emergency vet. How do you know if your dog has eaten too much? Well, if you see his tail sticking out of the dog food bag, chances are good you're in trouble. Otherwise, some symptoms include:
- distended belly
- abdominal pain
- panting or other labored breathing
- drooling
- an inability to settle in one place or pacing
- vomiting
Vomiting may be the most obvious because your dog will regurgitate food, but if your dog seems uncomfortable or in distress, go straight to the vet. Any kind of abdominal distension can lead to a very serious condition called Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), commonly known as "bloat." Bloat is an extremely serious, often lethal twisting of the stomach that requires immediate veterinary attention. Make no mistake, if you suspect your dog has bloat, it is an emergency! Go straight to your vet!
Dogs who have eaten too much should see a veterinarian to rule out GDV and determine the treatment appropriate to the situation. The veterinarian may take x-rays and physically examine the dog. If your dog is full of food, the veterinarian may induce vomiting or pump your dog's stomach. You should never attempt to induce vomiting on your own unless you are instructed to do so by your veterinarian, and do so under her supervision or guidance. Do not use ipecac! Your dog may start vomiting but become unable to STOP vomiting.
The easiest way to avoid this trip to the veterinarian is to secure all food and keep it out of the reach of your dog. Many dogs find their ill-gotten gains on the counter. If your dog counter-surfs and prone to stealing food, you should secure all food in lockable containers. Additionally, consider restricting your dog's access to any room where food is prepared or stored. Close doors to kitchens or pantries; if there is no door, use a baby gate. There are several kinds of baby gates, some very chic in design, that can allow you to pass through but keep out your dog. For a permanent solution, wall-mounted gates work well and can, over time, prevent real damage to your door frame. Drilled holes are easily patched if you ever decide to remove the gate, and they swing on hinges for ease of use.
Local Pet Supplies:
Dog Gates via J-B Wholesale Pet Supplies
Airtight storage via J-B Wholesale Pet Supplies
Local Emergency Animal Hospitals:
Oradell Animal Hospital
580 Winters Ave.
Paramus, NJ 07652
Phone: (201) 262-0010
Open 24 hours
Animal Emergency & Referral Associates
1237 Bloomfield Avenue
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 788-0500
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Monday thru Thursday
8:00 a.m. Friday to 8:00 a.m. Monday
24 Hour service on Major Holidays
Central Jersey Veterinary Emergency Service
643 Lincoln Highway
Iselin, NJ 08830
(732) 283-3535
Open nights, weekends, & holidays
Alliance Emergency Veterinary Clinic
540 Route 10 West
Randolph, NJ
(973) 328-2844
Monday - Friday: 8 pm until 8 am the following morning
Weekends: 1 pm Saturday afternoon until 8 am Monday morning
Holidays: open 24 hours
Newton Veterinary Hospital
116 Hampton House Road
Newton, NJ 07860
(973) 383-4321
Open 24 hours
The Animal Medical Center
510 East 62nd Street
New York, NY 10065
(212) 838-8100?
Open 24 hours
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All text in this article is copyrighted and the sole possession of Melissa Garcia Logan, unless otherwise indicated. Available for reprint and/or publishing only with written permission from author. Contact Melissa Garcia Logan with your comments, suggestions, questions, and ideas.
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