An Australian Shepherd throwing up clear liquid is a cause for concern. Vomiting is expected in all dog breeds at some point so as an Aussie parent it is important to understand the reasons behind it and what you can do about it.
An Australian Shepherd can throw up blood, white foam, yellow form, bile, mucus, or after eating or drinking.
So why does an Australian Shepherd throw up clear liquid? Is it serious? And what can you do about it?
Let’s dive into the reasons behind an Aussie throwing up clear liquid.
Why is My Australian Shepherd Throwing Up Clear Liquid?
An Australian Shepherd throwing up clear liquid often happens when they drink water too quickly, drink too much, drink while feeling nauseous, vomit on an empty stomach, or from ingestion of a clear liquid household product around the home that irritates their stomach and is vomited.
What comes up as vomit is a clear liquid which is a mixture of water, saliva, and sometimes form.
An Australian Shepherd throwing up clear liquid can also be due to:
- Hypothyroidism
- Indigestion
- Ingestion of toxins
- Kidney and liver disease
- Pancreatitis white form plus clear liquid
- Gastrointestinal inflammation
- Gastrointestinal obstruction
- Parasites
Our guide on Australian Shepherd throwing up or vomiting further explains what causes vomiting and what you can do to help your Aussie.
What To Do If Your Australian Shepherd is Throwing Up Clear Liquid
Generally, throwing up clear liquid is not of medical concern unless an Australian Shepherd shows other symptoms of illness or there is an increase in the frequency of vomiting.
In case that is the situation, the throwing up could be a result of an underlying health problem.
In some cases, an Aussie will throw up clear liquid and continue going about their day as normal which means they should be ok.
When your Australian Shepherd throws up clear liquid, first assess the situation by monitoring them and note if they present other symptoms, the frequency of vomiting, and the deterioration of their health.
A dog throwing up clear liquid in the morning is due to vomiting on an empty stomach following the nighttime period.
In most cases, the vomit comes up as a yellow liquid and if they throw up frequently in the morning, contact your veterinarian.
Also look around for evidence of accidental ingestion of toxins such as spillage of any gardening chemicals, household products, or leftover human food that they might have eaten.
When emergency treatment should be initiated
Increase in the frequency of vomiting
When your Australian Shepherd frequently throws up clear liquid more than 2 times over 12 hours, take them to a veterinary emergency center.
The appearance of additional symptoms
The appearance of additional symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, restlessness, or inability to keep water or food down indicates a more serious and underlying problem.
Take your Australian Shepherd to see your veterinarian or a veterinary emergency center if they cannot hold down water, or have a diagnosed pre-existing medical problem.
A dog throwing up clear liquid with diarrhea or shaking is also a cause for concern.
High risk of dehydration due to age
Depending on your Australian Shepherd’s age, the severity of the throwing up can be determined also by how old they are because of the risk of dehydration.
A puppy throwing up clear liquid is a serious situation that requires medical attention.
Puppies and senior dogs are more susceptible to dehydration and loss of electrolytes which is life-threatening if not attended to. Dehydration leads to organ damage and death.
Type of vomit
An Australian Shepherd may also throw up vomit that has a different appearance from the clear liquid. The appearance of the vomit can vary from undigested food, partly digested food, yellow form, mucus, blood, bile, or white form.
It is important to note this because the appearance of vomit informs your veterinarian of the possible cause of vomiting.
See the below guides to learn more about the reasons behind the different Australian Shepherd vomit types:
- Australian Shepherd throwing up white foam: What it means
Australian Shepherd throwing up blood: Why and what you need do
- Australian Shepherd throwing up mucus: Read before you panic
- Australian Shepherd diarrhea and vomiting: What you need to do
Attempts of throwing up without anything coming out
Any attempts to vomit without the production of vomit in addition to the production of white foam is also a red flag as a symptom of bloat.
This should signal to you to immediately seek medical care because bloat is a life-threatening condition of Australian Shepherds.
Treatment
Throwing up clear liquid in most cases is usually not an emergency medical problem, however, you should always consult with your veterinarian about any form of vomiting by your dog.
This is because the vomiting can be due to an underlying disease or condition which needs to be treated.
An Australian Shepherd will be evaluated to determine the specific reason behind the vomiting. The veterinarian will discuss with you other symptoms your dog presented and also on tests to be conducted.
The tests conducted include x-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, urine, and fecal analysis.
Throwing up clear liquid, especially for prolonged periods can lead to dehydration in an Aussie. Therefore the initial treatment involves the provision of intravenous fluids to manage dehydration.
Anti-nausea and stomach lining protectants medication are also treatments provided to help stop the vomiting.
The treatment provided depends on the test results. An Australian Shepherd may be hospitalized if their condition is severe and needs further monitoring.
How To Prevent Throwing Up Of Clear Liquid
There are several measures you can put in place to prevent your Australian Shepherd from throwing up clear liquid. This includes:
Regular health check-ups
Regular health exams for your Australian Shepherd can help find problems before they start. In consultation with your veterinarian, schedule health checkup visits to ensure that your Australian Shepherd is in good health.
Health conditions that cause throwing up of clear liquid can be detected early, treated, and managed to prevent your dog from vomiting.
Provide slow-feeding bowls
Vomiting of clear liquid due to fast eating and /or drinking can be prevented by providing your Australian Shepherd with a slow feeding bowl that limits fast feeding.
Excessive water intake can cause an Aussie to throw up clear liquid, however never deny your Australian Shepherd access to drinking water. Excess water intake beyond the normal amount is a sign of a disease that after medical examination can be treated or managed.
Lock up household toxins
Keep away household products that may be potential toxins to your dog. Preventing your Australian Shepherd from having access to them also prevents accidental ingestion of toxins and the resultant throwing up.
Key Takeaway
An Australian Shepherd throwing up clear fluid typically is not a medical concern unless the vomiting is frequent and your Australian Shepherd starts showing other signs of illness.
Throwing up clear liquid can be due to serious underlying health conditions therefore if your Australian Shepherd presents other symptoms, book an appointment with your veterinarian.
There are also methods you can implement to prevent your dog from throwing up. By following these tips, you will minimize the occurrence of your Australian Shepherd vomiting.