It is normal for dogs to sometimes drool or to produce excess saliva in their mouths, but what about dog foaming at the mouth? Is it something to be concerned about, as a dog owner? What are the potential causes for dogs to vomit white foam? Should you immediately rush your dog to the vet when you encounter this? Let’s find out.
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What is dog foaming at the mouth?
It is technically white foam being vomited by your dog. In addition, this white foam that exits your dog’s mouth might be accompanied by trembling or twitching muscle movements. If vomiting is accompanied by these movements, your dog is probably having a seizure and must be rushed to the nearest vet.
On the other hand, if your dog is vomiting white foam without the muscle movements, your dog might not be having a seizure, but this foam is caused by something else which may or may not be life threatening to your dog. Regurgitation and difficulty in swallowing might also be symptoms of other illnesses in dogs.
What causes white foamy regurgitation?
Foamy vomiting may have various causes. It is quite difficult to pinpoint the root cause of dogs vomiting white foam without the assessment of a veterinarian and history. However, some of the common causes of white foam vomits are as follows:
- Dog panic attack
- Poisoning
- Fatigue
- Kennel cough
- Rabies
- Parvovirus
- Stress or anxiety
- Dental problems
- Acid reflux
- Metabolic disorder
- Kidney failure
- Liver disease
- Stroke
- Pancreatitis
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) or Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level)
- Neurological problems
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Seizure
Any of these conditions or a combination of 2 or more conditions might cause your dog to vomit white foam. Certain laboratory tests might be needed to clearly determine the cause of vomiting in case your dog is experiencing it. Once your dog gets the right medication, you can expect less frequent regurgitation or none at all.
Poisoning is one of the most common causes of vomiting in dogs since dogs are generally very curious animals which like to taste and nibble on food or non-food items. In addition, if you recently applied tick and flea medication to your dog, prevent your dog from grooming themselves or each other to prevent the topical tick and flea medication from being ingested by your dog. Most topical medication for ticks and fleas are toxic to dogs when ingested which may quickly lead to poisoning. Moreover, dogs might also be poisoned by certain plants and household chemicals which may cause regurgitation as your dog tried to vomit the ingested substance.
What to do when your dog is vomiting?
You may attempt to provide first aid your dog if it is just white foamy vomiting without having a seizure. In addition, if you suspect that your dog has ingested something that it should have, this might be a good time to call or visit your vet for an antidote to make your dog feel better. Moreover, a dog might also need additional fluids in their system after excessive vomiting, which veterinarians may administer in the form of dextrose or other fluid replacements.
On the other hand, if your dog is having a seizure with foaming in the mouth, it might be due to other underlying health problems which might be affecting the nervous system. However, despite knowing the possible causes, you have to remain calm if your dog experiences foaming at the mouth and sudden seizure. In addition, you may provide a pillow or any form of cushion for your dog’s head during a seizure and gently stroke your dog until it calms down.
You may also record the time and duration of vomiting and seizure since the veterinarian may ask for this vital information when your dog is being assessed in the clinic. Dogs which experience a cluster of seizures and vomiting within a 24-hour period need immediate veterinary attention.
How to prevent dog regurgitation?
Certain illnesses may cause regurgitation. So, it is important to keep your dog’s vaccination up to date to prevent these illnesses. However, white foam vomiting might not only be caused by illnesses but also poisoning. Pay close attention to your dog during walks and observe the things that your dog nibbles or sniffs during the walk. Prevent your dog from biting or ingesting unknown plant parts, especially the ones with known toxic properties.
During exercise, prevent your dog from being pushed to its limit of fatigue. In addition, refrain from contact with any dog with known kennel cough or other contagious illnesses. Even if your dog has vaccines, it is best to stay away from any potential pathogen which may cause regurgitation.
Regular check up with your dog’s veterinarian may help prevent the occurrences of vomiting by allowing your vet to spot the tell-tale signs of certain illnesses which may eventually cause regurgitation. Moreover, when getting a new dog, it is best to know the medical history of your dog and opt for dogs with good genetics that aren’t predisposed to seizures.
Conclusion
Dog foaming at the mouth may either need serious veterinary attention or basic first aid procedures. Moreover, the necessary procedures that your dog needs to go through after vomiting white foam may vary depending on the condition which caused it. There are many conditions which may lead to regurgitation and some are easily preventable with proper hygiene and regular vaccinations.
