The dog finds vomiting the readiest means of ejecting objectionable substances from within its stomach, and consequently many medicinal agents are conveniently--sometimes inconveniently--got rid of by this means.
Even this ready means does not safeguard our canine friends against death from the ingestion of various poisonous agents, though doubtless this prompt action of the stomach in response to stimulation of the vomiting centre in the brain, does confer a certain degree of immunity against toxic substances. Rapidity of absorption has an important bearing in this respect, such deadly agents as strychnine being absorbed by the stomach, passing into the circulation to other vital organs in a very rapid manner.
During distemper, vomiting is common, its frequent repetition being an additional exhausting factor in this malady.
To avoid this, minute quantities of readily assimilable nourishment is essential.
When the ejected material is stained with blood or actually contains blood as blood, it points to ulceration of the lining membrane of the stomach--a condition of gravity.
Stoppage of the bowels is often followed by vomiting, and frequently brings on paralysis.
_Treatment for Vomition._--Rest for the stomach is one of the first essentials of treatment. Nourishment must be given, and, if necessary, this can be in the form of nutrient enemas. (_See_ CLYSTERS.)
Fatty substances, milk, vegetables, and solid food, must be rigidly excluded until such time as the organ has regained its tone and proper power of assimilating the nutritive pabulum supplied. Soda-water to drink and 20 grains of powdered bismuth three times a day, along with a tablespoonful of the soda-water. If dog is paralytic give it an enema.
Although fairly common in other situations, worms are most frequently found infesting the intestines and stomach.
The cavities of the heart, nasal and respiratory passages, cranial cavity, and bile-duct are more rarely the seats of parasitic invasion in the dog. When the heart and respiratory tubes are affected, the parasites are of a minute, thread-like character, hence known as _Filaria_, or thread-worms.
The flat, lancet-shaped worm, sometimes found up the nose, is spoken of as a trematode; the round-worms in the stomach and bowels as nematodes; whilst the other long, flat, or tape-like worms, are called _Tænia_.