dog kidney failure yellow vomit

Kidney Disease in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Your dogs kidneys are essential organs that filter waste products from the bloodstream. When the kidneys are weakened, either by acute or chronic kidney disease, your dogs health could suffer. Because kidney disease progresses over time, its important to learn the common symptoms so tha you can recognize them. If you catch kidney disease in dogs early on, treatment can slow down the progression and allow your dog to live longer.

What Is Kidney Disease in Dogs?

Kidney disease in dogs is sometimes called renal or kidney insufficiency because it occurs when a dogs kidneys stop doing their job as efficiently as they should. The main job of the kidneys is to help clear and excrete waste products from the blood and convert them to urine, says Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC. If the kidneys are not working properly, these waste products can build up in the blood, causing detrimental effects.

Dogs can get either acute kidney disease, which develops suddenly, or chronic kidney disease (CKD), which develops slowly and worsens over an extended period. Both involve loss of kidney function, but they result from different circumstances. Acute kidney disease is a sudden attack or injury to the kidney, whereas chronic kidney disease is a slow, degenerative loss of kidney function, Dr. Klein explains.

What Causes Kidney Disease in Dogs?

Dr. Klein warns that kidney disease could be caused by a lot of things, including infection (such as with the bacteria that causes leptospirosis), trauma, genetics, drugs, toxins, cancer, mechanical obstructions (like kidney stones), and degenerative diseases (where the job and form of the affected body part get worse over time). Anything that decreases blood flow to the kidneys, such as dehydration or heatstroke, can cause the kidneys to fail.

Acute kidney disease in dogs can be caused by exposure to hazardous materials, including toxic plants such as lilies, certain drugs, harmful foods such as grapes or raisins, or antifreeze. Puppy-proofing your home and yard can keep your dog away from potentially harmful items or foods that could be toxic.

Chronic kidney disease in dogs is also associated with growing older. Because kidney tissue cant regenerate once its damaged, the kidneys can wear out over time. As small-breed dogs often live longer than large-breed dogs, they tend to show early signs of kidney disease at an older age10 years old or more, compared to as young as 7 for the large breeds.

What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Dogs?

The earliest signs of kidney disease in dogs are increased urination and therefore increased thirst. Other symptoms dont usually become apparent until about two-thirds of the kidney tissue is destroyed. So, in the case of CKD, the damage may have begun months or even years before the owner notices. Because of this, its common for the signs of kidney disease in dogs to seem like they came out of the blue when in fact, the kidneys have been struggling for a long time.

Other signs of chronic kidney disease in dogs to watch for include:

Dr. Klein says there are some rarer symptoms of kidney disease in dogs to be aware of, as well. On occasion, there can be abdominal painurinary obstructions or stonesand in certain instances, one can see ulcers in the oral or gastric cavity. In extreme cases, little or no urine is produced at all.

What Are the Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs?

Kidney disease in dogs is measured in stages. Many veterinarians use the IRIS scale, which has four stages. Blood work measurements like creatinine and SDMA (biomarkers for kidney function) allow your vet to assign your dog to a particular stage which will determine the exact treatment.

Dr. Klein explains, The stages determine how well the kidneys can filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. As the stages go up, the kidney function worsens. In the early stages of CKD, the kidneys are still able to filter out waste from the blood. In the latter stages, the kidneys must work harder to filter the blood and in late stages may stop working altogether.

How Is Kidney Disease in Dogs Treated?

Dialysis (a medical procedure that removes waste products and extra fluid from the blood) is far more common in humans than in dogs, although peritoneal (kidney) dialysis can be performed in some cases. On rare occasions, surgical kidney transplant is possible in dogs.

But Dr. Klein specifies that depending on the type and stage of kidney disease, the main treatments for CKD are diet changes and administration of fluids, either directly into the veins (intravenous) or under the skin (subcutaneous). The balancing and correction of electrolytes are extremely important in the management of kidney patients, he explains.

Proper nutrition is needed, and there are many available diets formulated for cats and dogs with kidney issues, some by prescription only. Your veterinarian can help guide you to the most appropriate diet for your pet.

Because kidney disease, particularly in the late stages, can cause a dog to lose their appetite, it can be difficult to encourage your dog to eat enough. Dr. Klein advises, There are medications used as appetite stimulators available, such as the prescription drug mirtazapine. Capromorelin has recently been FDA-approved for dogs to address appetite in chronic kidney disease.

When Do You Need to Call Your Vet?

The prognosis and expected life span for a dog with kidney disease depend on the type of disease, the speed of progression, and underlying conditions present in the dog. However, the more serious the disease, the poorer the outcome. Thats why its so crucial to catch the illness early on.

According to Dr. Klein, In chronic kidney disease, there are methods, such as diets and medications, that can be used to lessen the burden of work the kidneys need to do and may help slow down the progression from one stage to the next. In acute kidney disease, there is less time and fewer choices available to prevent further damage to the kidneys and to try to jump-start the kidneys to get them to function normally.

Regular veterinary exams, including bloodwork, are an excellent way to spot kidney problems before the outward symptoms become apparent. And if you notice any of the above signs, dont hesitate to get your dog to the vet for further testing. It can make a huge difference in preserving kidney function and your dogs well-being for as long as possible.

6 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Throwing up Yellow Bile

My Dog Is Throwing up Yellow. Whats Happening?

Typically, yellow vomit is commonly bile. Bile is produced in the liver and gallbladder. It breaks down fats and oils in the small intestine while helping your dogs body absorb nutrients. Bile is very alkaline, so it helps neutralize acidic stomach contents, protecting the sensitive small intestinal lining. But when bile leaks into the stomach, it reacts with stomach acidand your dog might vomit.

Bile is typically yellow or greenish and usually odorless. It can be full of mucus, bubbly, or foamy. Sometimes its seen in one pile or a couple, typically in small amounts, or mixed with water.

Why Dogs Vomit Yellow Bile

While vomiting bile is a common issue pet parents see in their pups, the exact cause can range from minor to more severe. Here are some of the underlying causes of bile vomiting in dogs.

1. Bilious Vomiting Syndrome

Bilious vomiting syndrome (BVS) is sometimes used to describe a condition where dogs vomit bile or frothbut not foodafter not eating for a while. For most dogs, this happens early in the morning after not eating overnight.

Dogs with BVS may show obvious signs of nausea, especially first thing in the morning. Nausea in dogs often manifests as:

• Lip-smacking

• Drooling

• Panting

• Reduced interest in food

For some dogs, its thought that the fasting period between dinner and breakfast can result in intestinal fluid flowing backward into their stomach. This can lead to irritation, nausea, and vomiting.

Although BVS is not typically life-threatening, talk to your veterinarian to rule out other causes of vomiting in your pet, as some can be serious. The vet can recommend testing and treatment thats right for your dog. If standard diagnostics such as a blood panel and physical exam are suggestive of BVS rather than something more serious, your veterinarian may recommend dietary adjustments or medications.

Feeding your dog a late-evening meal frequently relieves symptoms. Its thought that food might defend against refluxed bile, or it may improve gastric motility. If your dog continues to vomit after changing feedings, consider medical treatment. Antacids and/or medications that increase stomach motility are frequently used. A single evening administration of medicine is usually enough to prevent clinical symptoms.

2. Gastrointestinal Diseases

When a dog is throwing up yellow bile acutely (a sudden onset) or chronically (continuously over time), a multitude of problems could be affecting the digestive system, including:

In each of these cases, the underlying condition needs to be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian.

Because biles acidity can wear down the esophagus, it can lead to ulcerations if left unchecked. Breeds with sensitive stomachs that are predisposed to such problems include Bulldogs, toy breeds, Labrador Retrievers, and Poodles.

3. Pancreatitis

Endocrine disorders such as pancreatitis can occur after a dog ingests highly fatty or oily foods. But 90% of the time, the inciting cause of pancreatitis in dogs is idiopathic, meaning it cannot be determined.

This condition causes inflammation of the pancreas, and in turn bilious vomiting, along with intense abdominal pain and diarrhea. Pancreatitis usually occurs three to five days after a dog eats fatty foods, but it can occur as early as 24 hours after.

To help treat pancreatitis, veterinarians will provide care to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. During this time, treatment often includes withholding food to allow the pancreas to rest.

4. Addisons Disease

Addisons disease is another endocrine disorderparticularly a disorder of the adrenal glandsthat is often characterized by vomiting. With adrenal glands that arent producing enough corticosteroids (stress hormones), dogs with Addisons disease can be critically affected by the tiniest amount of stress.

5. Intestinal Blockages

Regular vomit can become yellow bile after a dogs stomach has been emptied (though if your dog is vomiting, its ideal to address the problem before reaching this point). Along with vomiting bile, an extreme lack of energy and severe abdominal pain may indicate an intestinal blockage.

This is a medical emergency, and your dog should see a veterinarian right away. Surgery is the most common method for removing the obstruction causing the blockage.

6. Allergies

If your dog eats something theyre allergic to, vomiting may occur and bile may be present. Often, this happens when a dog switches their diet. Common food allergies in dogs include:

In other cases, a dog may become allergic to something theyve eaten regularly for years. Most pets develop food allergies between 15 years of age.

In this case, a strict 12-week diet trial may be needed to identify the offending protein. A veterinary nutritionist can also create a diet that removes the allergen without depriving your dog of the vitamins and nutrients needed to function at full strength.

5 Remedies For Senior Dogs Vomiting Yellow Bile [By a Vet]

This article was updated on January 31st, 2024

Senior dogs vomiting a yellow-colored fluid might have bilious vomiting syndrome. In elderly dogs, it is caused when your dog vomits a few times a week. This is often seen early in the morning when your dog first wakes up and has an empty stomach.

Many dogs who have mild cases of bilious vomiting can easily be cured with at-home treatment such as a bland diet, small frequent meals, and medications to help decrease stomach acid. In this article, we will review the 5 best home remedies, and when to call your vet for help!

5 steps you can take at home to help your dog [home remedies]

Many dogs can easily be treated with lifestyle modifications. Feeding a bland diet and avoiding high-fat diets and human foods can often help treat bilious vomiting syndrome in your older dog. These are some at-home remedies that you can try to help treat this condition before seeing your vet:

1. Offer a bland diet.

Bland diet such as chicken and rice can help keep your dogs stomach calm.

If you dont have chicken or rice, you can read our article about the best bland diets for dogs to discover other options. You can also purchase a sensitive stomach diet at the pet store to feed your dog. Many dogs can have recurring issues that require a specialized diet for their entire life. Cooking at home may not provide all the necessary nutrients for a balanced diet.

2. Feed small frequent meals.

Many times, dogs with bilious vomiting syndrome will vomit more often when their stomach is empty. By feeding a small meal frequently will help keep their stomachs full of food. Usually feeding your dogs every 3 to 4 hours will help treat bilious vomiting syndrome.

3. Feed your dog right before they go to bed.

This is often the only change that dogs need. This helps ensure that they do not have a prolonged period of time without any food in their stomach.

4. Give a gastric acid reducer.

Over-the-counter medications intended to decrease gastric acid production will help treat bilious vomiting syndrome. Commonly used medications are Pepcid, or Prilosec.However, it is important to talk to your vet before giving your dog any medications (even over the counter medications). Some medications may not be good for your dog depending on their health profiles.

A study published in 2016 shows that most dogs quickly improve with lifestyle modifications and gastric acid reducers. Many times older dogs have very good success with these treatments as long as there are no underlying issues or other diseases that they also are dealing with.

5. Avoid human food and dog treats.

Some dogs have very sensitive stomachs, and any human food or high-fat dog treats can cause them to have GI issues.

Our patients sometimes ask us: are there herbal remedies for dogs vomiting yellow bile? You can give your dog herbs such as catnip, fennel, chamomile, peppermint, and ginger to help decrease vomiting and nausea in dogs.

Finally see your vet. For dogs who continue to vomit, it would be best for them to see your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to prescribe medication to help decrease their vomiting and calm their stomach. There are also prescription diets that your vet can recommend for you to treat bilious vomiting syndrome.

You should not try home remedies if your dog is lethargic, vomits blood or shows other signs of illness

Sometimes at home treatment for bilious vomiting syndrome should not be tried. If your dog is very lethargic, vomiting blood, dehydrated, or also having diarrhea, it is best to not try any at-home treatments as your dog needs more intense and immediate veterinary care.Delaying veterinary care could have a very negative impact on your dogs health.

It is important to take your dog to see a vet, even if home remedies provide temporary relief, as a vet can accurately diagnose the underlying condition causing the vomiting and provide appropriate treatment.

Dr. Sara Ochoa

When to try home remedies / when to see the vet

If your dog vomits yellow bile just once and is otherwise acting okay there is nothing to be worried about. Some dogs will eat something that they should not have such as a bug, or human food. This can cause them to vomit yellow bile. However, Dr. Ochoa explains more severe cases that need a vets intervention:

Some dogs will also continue to vomit and become lethargic.If this happens, your dog should see a vet right away. While bilious vomiting syndrome in older dogs is not a life-threatening condition, the condition can cause other issues to develop such as pancreatitis and GI ulceration leading to continued vomiting, diarrhea, and blood in the stool or vomit. These can become life-threatening if left untreated.

Dr. Sara Ochoa

Signs that your dog needs to see their veterinarian

Most dogs with bilious vomiting syndrome are only vomiting occasionally and are otherwise eating, drinking, and acting perfectly normal.However, you should see your vet if any of the following applies:

• your dog continues to vomit and does not improve after 24 hours
• your dog begins to also have diarrhea or other signs of illness
• your dog vomits more than 3 times in one day

The longer you prolong your vet visit the more likely that they will need more intense and expensive medical treatment.Some dogs will benefit from IV fluids and prescription medication to help decrease their vomiting.

Common causes of yellow vomiting / bilious vomiting syndrome in elderly dogs

These are some of the most common reasons for your dog to be vomiting yellow bile.

1. Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is an inflammation of your dogs pancreas. This is a common condition that will cause your dog to vomit and have diarrhea. Pancreatitis is caused by your dog eating a high fatty meal.

How do you know if your dog has pancreatitis? Your dog will also have a very painful stomach and not eat. Most common symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.

Treatment: Pancreatitis can be treated but in severe cases can be fatal. Sometimes your dog will need to see your vet for IV fluids and injectable medication for them to recover. For very mild cases of pancreatitis, you can try at-home treatment of a bland diet but if your dog does not stop vomiting and eating after 24 hours, they will need to see your vet. The cost of this workup and treatment at your vet can be $500 to $1500+ depending on the severity of your dogs condition.Learn about the best ways to care for a dog with pancreatitis.

2. Gastroenteritis: Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the intestines. This can commonly cause your dog to have yellow vomiting, in particular, once the stomach is empty.

How do you know if your dog has gastroenteritis? Dogs with gastroenteritis will often have several episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, and frequent bowel movements. It is usually caused when your dog eats something that they should not eat.

Treatment: In mild cases, you can offer a bland diet and probiotics. In more severe cases your dog will need to see your vet. They will be able to prescribe medications and IV fluids to help them fully recover. The average cost of this treatment can be $500 to $1500+ depending on the severity of your dogs condition.

3. Liver or kidney disease: If your dog is having liver or kidney issues, they can commonly vomit yellow bile.

How do you know if your dog has liver or kidney disease: Other common symptoms include lack of appetite, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea. Most dogs will need to see your veterinarian for treatment.

Treatment: Your vet will want to run bloodwork to see how severe the disease is and start a treatment plan. The cost of treatment of liver and kidney diseases is $500 to $2000+ depending on what treatment is needed.

4. Dietary indiscretion: Dietary indiscretion is caused when your dog eats something that they should not have such as human food. Many dogs will have yellow vomit with this but can fully recover without any treatment in just a few days. If your dog continues to vomit, it would be best that they see your vet right away. Cost will depend on how severe your dogs signs are and can range from $200 to $500+

5. Toxin exposure: There are many chemicals, plants and other environmental elements that can be toxic to your dog. This can cause your dog to vomit yellow bile. Most of these dogs will also be very lethargic and sick. If you think that your dog has eaten something that is toxic, it is best for them to see a vet right away. Most likely they will need bloodwork and IV fluids to help treat these toxicities. The average cost of toxicity treatment is $500 to $1,000,

6. Gastric Foreign Body obstruction: Some dogs will eat things that they should not like a sock, underwear or toy. These can easily get stuck in their intestines along the way out causing an obstruction. This will also cause your dog to vomit yellow bile. Most dogs will vomit every time that they eat. At first they will still be playful and active but as time goes on they will become more lethargic. If your dog has ate something that they should not have, it is best that they see your vet. They may be able to get them to vomit this back up. If not they will need to go to surgery to remove the object.

How your vet can help

Diagnosing yellow vomiting in senior dogs / bilious vomiting syndrome

Bilious vomiting syndrome is diagnosed by ruling out anything else that can cause your dog to vomit. Many times your vet will want to run blood work, take x-rays or other diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the vomiting.

What is the average cost of treatment?

The cost of treatment can depend on your location and how sick your dog is when you bring them to the vet. For basic treatment, you may spend around $200 to $300 but for more serious conditions requiring your dog to spend the night in the hospital, you may spend over $1,000. Your vet should be able to provide you an estimate for the treatment plan.

There are certain costs for treatment that some people do not consider such as medications that your vet may recommend for prevention or specialized diets.

Is treatment covered by insurance or out of pocket?

The cost of treatment can be covered by pet insurance. If this is the first time this is occurring most insurance will cover the diagnostic tests and treatments. If your dog has a history of this occurring very frequently, your insurance plan may not cover this and you would have to pay out of pocket.

How long does bilious vomiting syndrome last in senior dogs?

Bilious vomiting syndrome usually only lasts a few days and most dogs will quickly recover with simple lifestyle modifications.Dogs with persistent symptoms should see their vet.

Is there a way to prevent an elderly dog from getting bilious vomiting syndrome again?

Prevention is the best way to treat bilious vomiting syndrome. It is best to not offer your dog any human food or fatty dog treats. If your dog has a history of vomiting bile, it would be best to feed them many small meals throughout the day and make sure that they eat a small amount right before they go to bed. You can also offer them gastric acid medication on a regular basis to help prevent them from vomiting.

The best way to prevent your elderly dog from getting bilious vomiting syndrome is by feeding small frequent meals and making sure that they eat right before bed so that they do not go to bed on an empty stomach.

Other FAQs

What does the color of bilious vomiting syndrome in elderly dogs mean?

Dogs will bilious vomiting syndrome will vomit a yellow color vomit. This is the bile that is in your dogs stomach being vomited back up. When your dog eats bile is released into the stomach to help your dogs body break down and digest food. When there is not enough food in their stomach, this bile will stay in their stomach causing them to vomit a yellow color.

How serious is bilious vomiting syndrome in elderly dogs?

Mild cases of bilious vomiting syndrome is not a very serious condition. If your dog is vomiting, having diarrhea or is lethargic, this is more of a concern that will need to see a vet right away.

Is an elderly dog vomiting yellow bile an emergency?

If your dog vomits yellow bile just once and is otherwise acting just fine, this is not an emergency. If they continue vomiting or are acting lethargic, it would be best to see a vet.

• Dr. Ochoa earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from St. George University in 2015, and completed her program with excellent scores. She has more than 7 years of experience practicing as a veterinarian for Whitehouse Veterinary Hospital in Whitehouse, TX.

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