Why Is My Dog Shivering And Throwing Up? Causes & Symptoms

If your dog is shivering and throwing up, it’s a clear sign that something is wrong. This combination of symptoms, dog vomiting and shaking, can stem from various issues, ranging from mild to severe. It’s crucial to get to the root of why your dog might be experiencing canine shivering and nausea to provide them with the right care and relief.

Common Reasons for Dog Throwing Up and Trembling

There are several potential explanations for why your dog is exhibiting dog sickness symptoms shivering vomiting. Pinpointing the exact cause often depends on other accompanying signs and your dog’s overall health.

Digestive Upset and Gastrointestinal Issues

One of the most frequent reasons for dog vomiting and shaking is simple digestive upset. This can be caused by a variety of factors affecting your dog’s stomach and intestines.

Dietary Indiscretion: Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t. From garbage to spoiled food, or even non-food items, ingesting something disagreeable can trigger vomiting and, in some cases, cause the body to shake due to discomfort or pain. This is a very common cause for sudden shivering and vomiting in dog episodes.
Food Allergies or Intolerances: Just like people, dogs can develop sensitivities to certain ingredients in their food. Common culprits include grains, dairy, beef, and chicken. When exposed to these, a dog might vomit, experience diarrhea, and show signs of distress like shivering.
Gastritis: This is inflammation of the stomach lining. It can be caused by infections, dietary issues, or the ingestion of toxins. The inflammation leads to nausea and vomiting, and the discomfort can manifest as shivering.
Gastroenteritis: Similar to gastritis, but it affects both the stomach and intestines. This often leads to vomiting and diarrhea, and the physical strain and discomfort can cause a dog to tremble.
Bacterial or Viral Infections: Infections like parvovirus, distemper, or bacterial infections can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and shivering. These are serious and require immediate veterinary attention.
Parasites: Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, or giardia can irritate the digestive tract, leading to vomiting, nausea, and overall malaise, which might cause a dog to shiver.

Toxins and Poisoning

The ingestion of harmful substances is a critical reason for dog tremors and vomiting causes. Many common household items are toxic to dogs.

Household Cleaners: Bleach, ammonia, and other cleaning agents are highly corrosive and can cause severe internal damage, leading to vomiting and shaking.
Plants: Many common houseplants are toxic if ingested. Examples include lilies, poinsettias, and tulips. Symptoms can vary, but gastrointestinal distress and neurological signs, including tremors, are possible.
Human Medications: Over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin are dangerous for dogs and can cause vomiting, liver damage, and neurological issues.
Pesticides and Insecticides: Exposure to these chemicals, whether through direct contact or ingestion, can lead to serious poisoning, manifesting as vomiting, tremors, and weakness.
Certain Foods: Foods like chocolate, xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters), onions, and garlic are toxic to dogs and can cause a range of symptoms, including vomiting and shivering.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a serious condition involving inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin. When it becomes inflamed, these enzymes can leak into the abdominal cavity, causing significant pain and digestive upset.

Symptoms: Severe dog abdominal pain shivering vomiting is a hallmark of pancreatitis. Dogs may also be lethargic, reluctant to move, and have a hunched posture due to the intense pain.
Causes: It’s often linked to a high-fat meal, but can also be caused by certain medications, trauma, or underlying health conditions.

Kidney or Liver Disease

These vital organs play a crucial role in filtering waste products from the blood. When they are compromised, toxins can build up in the body, leading to widespread symptoms.

Kidney Disease: Can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and sometimes tremors or seizures.
Liver Disease: Can also lead to vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), lethargy, and neurological signs due to toxin buildup.

Neurological Issues

Problems within the brain or nervous system can directly cause shivering and vomiting.

Seizures: While not always accompanied by vomiting, seizures can cause involuntary muscle contractions, leading to trembling or shaking. In some cases, dogs may vomit during or after a seizure.
Brain Tumors or Trauma: These can disrupt normal bodily functions, leading to a variety of symptoms including neurological signs like tremors and gastrointestinal distress like vomiting.
Vestibular Disease: This affects the inner ear and balance, and while not typically causing vomiting directly, the disorientation can lead to nausea and vomiting. Shivering might be a sign of stress or discomfort associated with the condition.

Stress, Anxiety, and Pain

A dog’s emotional state and physical discomfort can also manifest as shivering and vomiting.

Severe Pain: Dogs experiencing significant pain, perhaps from an injury or internal ailment, may shiver as a response to the pain itself. If the pain is in the abdominal region, vomiting can also occur. This ties into dog abdominal pain shivering vomiting.
Anxiety or Fear: While less common as a primary cause for persistent vomiting, extreme anxiety or fear can trigger a dog’s “fight or flight” response, which can include trembling. If the anxiety is linked to a specific situation that also causes nausea, vomiting might follow.

Metabolic Disorders

Imbalances in the body’s chemistry can lead to these symptoms.

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): Can cause weakness, trembling, disorientation, and in severe cases, seizures. Vomiting can also occur.
Electrolyte Imbalances: Disruptions in essential minerals like sodium, potassium, or calcium can affect muscle function and nerve signals, potentially causing tremors and impacting the digestive system.

Heatstroke or Hypothermia

Environmental factors can also play a role.

Heatstroke: In severe cases, overheating can lead to vomiting, rapid breathing, weakness, and neurological signs like tremors.
Hypothermia (Being Too Cold): While often associated with shivering to generate heat, if a dog is severely cold and stressed, it can also experience gastrointestinal upset. This is a scenario where a dog cold and throwing up might be observed.

Blockages in the Digestive Tract

If a foreign object is lodged in the stomach or intestines, it can prevent food from passing through, leading to vomiting.

Symptoms: Persistent vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and lethargy are common. The body’s struggle to clear the blockage can sometimes result in shivering.

Symptoms to Watch For

When your dog is shivering and vomiting, it’s important to observe them closely for other accompanying symptoms. These can provide crucial clues for your veterinarian.

Key Symptoms Associated with Shivering and Vomiting

Lethargy: A noticeable lack of energy, reluctance to play or move.
Loss of Appetite: Refusal to eat or drink.
Diarrhea: Loose or watery stools, which may or may not be bloody.
Abdominal Pain: Your dog may whine, yelp when touched, have a tense or hunched posture, or seem restless. This is a significant indicator of dog abdominal pain shivering vomiting.
Pale Gums: Healthy gums are typically pink. Pale or white gums can indicate shock or anemia.
Dehydration: Signs include sunken eyes, dry gums, and loss of skin elasticity (when you gently pinch the skin on their back, it doesn’t snap back quickly).
Drooling: Excessive salivation, especially if it’s foamy or has blood.
Collapse: Fainting or loss of consciousness.
Bloated Abdomen: A swollen or distended belly, which can be a sign of serious issues like bloat (GDV).
Changes in Behavior: Restlessness, anxiety, or unusual vocalizations.

It’s vital to differentiate between slight trembling due to nerves or cold and more pronounced, involuntary shaking, which can point to a more serious underlying issue.

When to Seek Veterinary Attention

The decision to see a veterinarian should be made promptly when you notice your dog shivering and vomiting, especially if accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

Urgent Situations Requiring Immediate Care

Persistent or Severe Vomiting: If your dog vomits multiple times in a short period, or if the vomiting is projectile.
Vomiting Blood or Coffee-Ground Like Material: This indicates bleeding in the digestive tract and requires immediate attention.
Bloody Diarrhea: Similar to bloody vomit, this is a serious sign.
Signs of Extreme Pain: Whining, yelping, restlessness, or a hunched posture.
Lethargy and Weakness: If your dog is unresponsive or very sluggish.
Pale Gums: This is a critical indicator of poor circulation or shock.
Difficulty Breathing: Any respiratory distress along with vomiting and shivering is an emergency.
Known Ingestion of Toxin: If you suspect your dog has eaten something poisonous, contact your vet or an animal poison control center immediately.
Bloated Abdomen: This could be a sign of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition.

When to Schedule a Veterinary Appointment

Even if symptoms aren’t immediately life-threatening, it’s important to consult your vet if:

The vomiting and shivering are recurrent.
Your dog shows a complete loss of appetite for more than 24 hours.
Your dog seems generally unwell or their behavior has significantly changed.
You are unsure of the cause.

Prompt veterinary care can be critical for a positive outcome, especially when dealing with dog illness symptoms shaking vomiting.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A veterinarian will perform a thorough examination to determine the cause of your dog’s shivering and vomiting and recommend the appropriate treatment plan.

Diagnostic Tools

Physical Examination: The vet will check your dog’s temperature, heart rate, respiration, and overall condition. They will also palpate the abdomen to check for pain, swelling, or masses.
Medical History: You’ll be asked about your dog’s diet, any recent changes, potential exposure to toxins, vaccination status, and the onset and progression of symptoms. This information is vital for diagnosing dog vomiting and shaking.
Blood Tests:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Can reveal signs of infection, anemia, or inflammation.
- Chemistry Panel: Assesses organ function (kidneys, liver), electrolyte levels, and blood sugar.
Urinalysis: Helps evaluate kidney function and detect infections or other abnormalities in the urinary tract.
Fecal Exam: Checks for intestinal parasites.
X-rays (Radiographs): Can help identify foreign bodies, blockages, tumors, or signs of pancreatitis.
Ultrasound: Provides more detailed images of internal organs, which can be helpful for diagnosing pancreatitis, intestinal issues, or masses.
Endoscopy: In some cases, a flexible tube with a camera can be used to examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestines, and to take biopsies.

Treatment Approaches

Treatment will depend entirely on the diagnosed cause.

Fluid Therapy: Intravenous (IV) fluids are often administered to combat dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Anti-nausea Medications: To help control vomiting.
Medications to Protect the Stomach Lining: Such as antacids or gastroprotectants.
Antibiotics: If a bacterial infection is suspected.
Deworming Medication: If parasites are identified.
Pain Management: For conditions causing significant discomfort, like pancreatitis.
Dietary Changes: A bland diet (like boiled chicken and rice) may be recommended temporarily, or a special prescription diet long-term for food allergies or sensitivities.
Surgery: May be required for foreign body obstruction or certain other conditions.
Supportive Care: This can include rest, a quiet environment, and careful monitoring.

For canine shivering and nausea, treatment focuses on alleviating the immediate symptoms while addressing the underlying illness.

Prevention Strategies

While not all causes of shivering and vomiting can be prevented, some steps can significantly reduce the risk.

Key Preventative Measures

Dietary Management:
- Feed a high-quality, balanced diet appropriate for your dog’s age, breed, and activity level.
- Avoid sudden changes in food. Introduce new foods gradually over a week.
- Be cautious with giving table scraps, as some human foods are toxic or can upset a dog’s stomach.
Toxin Avoidance:
- Keep all household cleaners, medications, and toxic substances stored securely out of reach.
- Be aware of poisonous plants in and around your home.
- Store garbage securely.
- Be mindful of potential hazards when walking your dog, such as antifreeze spills or discarded food.
Parasite Control:
- Maintain a regular deworming schedule as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Use flea and tick prevention to avoid related illnesses.
Vaccinations:
- Ensure your dog is up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations, especially those protecting against infectious diseases that can cause vomiting.
Supervision:
- Supervise puppies and curious dogs closely to prevent them from ingesting non-food items.
Gradual Introduction to New Foods/Treats: Avoid overwhelming their system with too many new things at once.

By being vigilant about your dog’s diet, environment, and health, you can significantly lower the chances of them experiencing episodes of dog sickness symptoms shivering vomiting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What can I give my dog for shivering and vomiting?

You should not give your dog any over-the-counter medications or home remedies without first consulting a veterinarian. Many human medications are toxic to dogs, and incorrect dosages can be harmful. A vet can diagnose the cause of the shivering and vomiting and prescribe appropriate medications, such as anti-nausea drugs or medications to treat the underlying condition.

Can stress cause my dog to shiver and vomit?

Yes, extreme stress or anxiety can sometimes cause a dog to exhibit physical symptoms like shivering and even vomiting. This is part of the “fight or flight” response. However, if these symptoms are persistent or severe, it’s crucial to rule out other more serious medical causes with a veterinary examination.

How do I know if my dog’s vomiting is serious?

Vomiting that is frequent, contains blood or coffee-ground material, is accompanied by severe lethargy, pale gums, difficulty breathing, or extreme pain, is considered serious and requires immediate veterinary attention. Any vomiting coupled with pronounced shivering should also be evaluated by a vet.

My dog is shivering and vomiting, but still acting normal. Is it okay?

Even if your dog appears otherwise normal, persistent vomiting and shivering are not typical. It’s always best to err on the side of caution and contact your veterinarian. They can help determine if it’s a minor issue that can be managed at home or if further investigation is needed. Ignoring these symptoms could delay treatment for a serious underlying condition.

Conclusion

Observing your dog shiver and throw up is a concerning experience for any pet owner. This dual symptom can be indicative of a wide spectrum of ailments, from mild dietary indiscretions to life-threatening emergencies. The presence of dog vomiting and shaking necessitates a careful evaluation of other accompanying signs, your dog’s recent history, and prompt consultation with a veterinarian. Whether it’s canine shivering and nausea due to a swallowed foreign object, the severe discomfort of pancreatitis, or a more systemic illness, timely and accurate diagnosis is paramount. By being vigilant about dog illness symptoms shaking vomiting and seeking professional veterinary care when needed, you can ensure your beloved companion receives the best possible care and recovers swiftly.