Pet Dry Heaving and Retching: When to Seek Help
If your pet has dry heaving or retching, this can be startling. These occurrences indicate serious, potentially life-threatening complications. Our emergency vet team, conveniently located in Apex, NC, is here to help you determine when it’s time to bring your pet in.
If your pet is dry heaving, retching with non-productive vomiting, or if your cat is coughing, treat this as a medical emergency and contact your emergency veterinarian immediately. You can reach us at 919-605-6300, 24/7/365.
What is Dry Heaving and Retching?
Whenever your cat vomits after eating too quickly every once in a while or your dog coughs from a mild throat irritation, you can likely identify the cause and know not to panic. However, dry heaving and retching, especially when recurring, are more intense and should be treated as emergencies.
Dry heaving and retching are characterized by visible abdominal effort. You’ll see your pet trying to throw something up with no result.
If this persists and they do not throw up, you should treat it seriously. Call your emergency vet right away.
Why Is My Dog Dry Heaving?
Before we get into why, you need to determine what kind of dry heaving your dog is doing.
Are you seeing:
- A dry honking cough followed by retching?
- Just retching with abdominal movement?
Take note of these differences and bring them up to your vet, as they have vastly different causes and will help your pet get the appropriate treatment more quickly.
A honking cough followed by retching is likely CIRDC (canine infectious respiratory disease complex or kennel cough), which is an endemic disease with various bacterial and viral causes. This can cause serious breathing issues if not treated promptly.
Retching on its own can be a range of options, from extremely serious (bloat or GDV) to simple gastrointestinal distress. It’s always best to get it checked out as soon as possible. Some of these potential causes in more detail:
- Bloat: The most serious cause for dry heaving or retching in dogs. Bloat (gastric dilation and volvulus/GDV) twists the dog’s stomach, not letting trapped air or fluid out, producing white foam vomit.
- Foreign Objects: Chewing on a favorite toy may lead to accidental swallowing. If your dog is vomiting and seems listless, something may be obstructing their intestines or stomach.
- Gastrointestinal Distress: The best-case scenario, gastrointestinal distress results from your dog overeating or dietary indiscretion. Some cases pass without treatment in a day or two. If your pet has repeated vomiting or diarrhea, isn’t able to eat or drink, or is lethargic for more than 12 hours, it’s time to take your pup to the vet.
Why Is My Cat Dry Heaving?
Many cat owners are familiar with hairballs and an enthusiastic cat overeating and regurgitating their food not long after. The difference between a hairball and a cat who swallowed their favorite string toy can be difficult to tell, especially since cats hide their pain. If you’re noticing any signs of visible distress, it’s time to take note.
If you see your cat dry retching, are they:
- Panting in between episodes?
- Not swallowing properly?
- Having episodes regularly (more than once per week)?
- Coughing?
These should be treated as emergencies, especially coughing. That can indicate a cardiac issue. As a rule, cats do not cough under normal circumstances.
On the other hand, retching, vomiting or regurgitating (a burp in which some stomach contents come back up) in close succession is not serious on its own – but can be if they’re not able to eat or drink without vomiting. It’s not uncommon for cats to have recurrent stomach upset in one episode.
If these episodes happen more than once per week, you should get your cat to the vet. If it’s a once-in-a-while occurrence after they’ve eaten, you likely just have a very fast eater on your hands.
Is your pet experiencing an emergency? We’re open 24/7/365.
Call us at 919-605-6300.
Common Dry Heaving FAQs for Pet Parents
Why does my dog keep gagging like they’re having a hairball?
Unlike cats, dogs rarely have hairballs. Gagging is more likely due to either nausea, bloat, or a foreign body in their GI tract. If your dog is acting restless in addition to gagging, it could be the start of bloat.
My dog is dry heaving. What do I do right now?
First of all: remain calm. Go to the veterinary ER right away. If dry heaving occurs more than 3-4 times in an hour, X-rays can determine if there is an obstruction. Contact us for immediate assistance so we’ll know you’re on your way.
What steps can I take to help a cat with dry heaving?
If your cat is dry heaving repeatedly, the best step you can take is going to the veterinary ER. Do not attempt to treat them on your own with human medications. If the issue has been treated by your emergency veterinarian, there are some simple preventative measures you can take to make your home more environmentally stable for your cat.
Cats have very sensitive respiratory tracts. If your cat has feline asthma or is simply particularly sensitive, cut these out of your home:
- Cigarette smoke
- Air fresheners
- Essential oils
When to Seek Emergency Care at Peak Paws
Dry heaving can be alarming to witness. We can help with the care your pet needs. Contact us immediately or drive to our Apex clinic if:
- Your pet’s abdomen looks distended.
- Your pet is restless, panting, or can’t get comfortable.
- Your pet is retching or vomiting 2+ times without being able to keep down food or water.
- Your dog has a honking cough accompanied by retching.
- Your cat is coughing.