A Vomit By Any Other Name Would Be... Regurgitation?

So you go to the vet and you say "My dog has been vomiting."  The vet turns to you and says "Are you sure?"

Well, I think I know vomit when I see it.....Don't I?  Stuff comes out the wrong way.  Isn't it all the same?

Actually, there is a big difference in vomit and regurgitation and they point to two very different disease pathways.  One path takes us down food intolerance, irritable bowel, obstruction, etc.  The other can take us down the path of acid imbalance, esophageal abnormalities, or neuromuscular issues.  It can be very difficult to tell the difference between vomiting and regurging.   

Vomiting is a rather forceful expulsion of stomach contents.  With regurgitation there may be little warning and the food just seems to fall out of the mouth.  There is a great video model at
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=17&A=2809&S=1 .  There more informed you are, the quicker we can make a diagnosis and get your pet help.




Chris