Vomiting White Foam in Dogs: Causes and Remedies
Dog Vomiting White Foam: What's Happening?
Let's face it, folks, we humans don't run to the doctor for a single instance of vomiting. We can usually tell when we've got a little bug or if something more serious is going on. But when you spot your pooch hurling up white foam, it can be a cause for concern.
White, foamy dog vomit is a pretty common reason for a doggy visit to the vet. Although it could be a harmless symptom, there are times when white foamy dog vomit can point to a severe underlying condition.
Read on to learn the lowdown on why your dog might be vomiting white foam. We'll cover the deal with white foam dog vomit, other symptoms to keep an eye out for, and when to get in touch with your vet for a diagnosis.
Is My Dog Vomiting White Foam a Cause for Alarm?
It's no surprise that all pups will have an upset stomach and vomit every now and then. It can be disconcerting, but it's crucial to observe your fur baby for other signs of illness or repeated bouts of dog puking. And don’t forget to check the color and contents of the vomit.
White foam vomit usually happens due to excess gas and saliva in the stomach. Gas in the stomach mixes with liquids to create a bubbly, foamy substance. White foam can also form in the respiratory tract if liquid in the airways mixes with air. Dogs who are heavily coughing may occasionally be mistaken for vomiting.
If your dog lets out a single bout of white foam, it's okay to wait and observant for 24 hours, as long as they seem normal.
But be vigilant for more vomiting or other signs of illness, such as diarrhea, tiredness, loss of appetite, weakness, or collapsing. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian right away. A collapsing dog is a… well, you get the idea. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to treat, and it could get expensive.
If your dog vomits white foam more than once (daily, weekly, or monthly), it's best to take them to the vet. Regular white foam vomiting is not normal, even if they seem okay otherwise.
Why is My Dog Flinging White Foam?
There are numerous reasons why your dog might be chowing down on white foam, some of which are no biggie, while others can be a real pain in the collar. Here are some common reasons:
Got an upset stomach: An upset stomach might cause your pup to produce excess saliva and vomit white foam. Dogs feeling under the weather will typically recover within 24 hours.
Ate something they shouldn't: If your dog digs something they're not supposed to, the resulting upsets might cause them to vomit until their tummy is empty and only white foam or bile comes out. Keep a close eye on what your doggo is gobbling up to steer them away from trouble.
Bloat or gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV): Bloat is a severe medical condition that can lead to GDV—when the stomach flips around. This is quite uncomfortable and painful for dogs.
When it happens, dogs may retch and vomit repeatedly, but only white foam comes up. Affected dogs will seem noticeably uncomfortable and may continue to retch and vomit. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for survival.
Obstruction: Sometimes, dogs consume something indigestible, such as socks, toys, large bones, or corn cobs. These items are too massive to move through the intestines and get stuck in the stomach or intestines. This causes intestinal secretions to back up into the stomach and result in vomiting.
Intestinal obstruction is a severe medical emergency. These pups cannot keep anything down and might vomit water. A dog vomiting white foam and shaking may show signs of severe distress or pain caused by a blocked intestine.
Ate something toxic: Swallowing something toxic, like household cleaners, houseplants, human medication, or pesticides, can cause white foam dog vomit. Some toxins are mild and may only cause temporary tummy troubles. Others can lead to severe illness and even death. If you suspect your dog has eaten something poisonous, head to the vet ASAP.
Respiratory illness: Common upper respiratory diseases like kennel cough can cause dogs to hack with force. This can sometimes appear like their dog vomiting white foam. Many of these upper airway diseases are not life-threatening. However, in dogs with a weaker immune system, they can progress into pneumonia if left untreated.
Intestinal parasites: Some parasites like lungworms and heartworms directly affect the airways. These parasites can cause dogs to cough up white foam with great force. Heartworm disease can be lethal if left untreated but can be prevented with vet-prescribed preventatives.
White foam dog vomit can be a sign of other diseases, including pancreatitis, infectious diseases, kidney disease, inflammatory disorders, and cancer. Anything that makes a dog feel yucky can lead them to vomit white foam. These cases are often, but not always, associated with lethargy, weight loss, and potentially diarrhea.
Treatment for White Foam Dog Vomit
Treatment for your dog's vomiting hinges entirely on the cause. In numerous cases, it's crucial to consult a vet. This is especially true when your dog shows other signs of illness, such as diarrhea, tiredness, loss of appetite, weakness, or collapsing.
However, if a single episode of white foam vomiting is your dog's only symptom, you can try treatin' it at home.
Home Treatment
The best course of action for a single episode of white foam vomit in an adult dog is to withhold food for 12 hours. This allows the stomach to settle. Offer your pet food following this period and see what they do. If they dig in with gusto and continue as usual, there's no cause for concern. But if they refuse food or continue to vomit, it's time to visit the vet.
Please don't hold food or water from puppies throwing up white foam, as they're more vulnerable to dehydration and other health complications. Always take a puppy vomiting white foam to the vet sooner rather than later.
Similarly, if your pet has a known health condition, such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease, don't withhold food or water without speaking to a vet first.
Urgent veterinary care is required in certain situations, such as when your dog vomits white foam multiple times in 24 hours, continues to vomit after 24 hours, or shows other signs of illness.
Vet Treatment
Your vet will conduct a thorough physical exam and chat with you about your pet's history. Be sure to fill 'em in on all aspects of your dog's medical history—including any medications or supplements they take and any recent changes to their health. It could be helpful to bring records to the appointment and know the specific diet they're eating.
Your vet may recommend diagnostics such as blood work, urine and fecal tests, and abdominal X-rays. From there, they can work on treating the specific disease process or disorder.
Treatment may include surgery, medications like antibiotics (such as doxycycline), anti-inflammatories, gastric acid reducers (like Pepcid [famotidine]), hospitalization for IV fluid therapy, deworming meds (such as Interceptor Plus or Heartgard Plus), and more.
In mild cases, especially in healthy dogs, vets may suggest starting with fluids and anti-nausea meds like Cerenia (maropitant citrate), or prescribing a special diet for tummy troubles, such as Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein HP, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal, or Hill's Prescription Diet i/d dog food for a few days.
The Cost of Treating Dog Vomiting White Foam
Dependin' on the level of care needed, the general cost to treat a dog vomiting white foam may vary significantly. If you're fortunate, and your dog requires only an over-the-counter medication under veterinary guidance, it may cost just a few dollars.
But dogs that vomit white foam repeatedly will need a vet visit at the very least. Here are some cost ranges for the most common tests and treatments associated with diagnosis and treatment:
- Diagnostics (like blood tests, urine, and fecal tests) can cost between $50 to $200.
- Surgery prices can range from $500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the procedure.
- Hospitalization for IV fluid therapy might set you back $1,000 to $3,000 or more, depending on the duration.
- Medications—including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and acid reducers—can range from $10 to $100 or more per medication.
Keep in mind these prices fluctuate based on your location, state, and whether you use a regular vet versus an emergency vet or specialty service. One piece of advice every pet parent should consider? Pet health insurance. Many plans help cover medical expenses related to accidents or illnesses. Some plans even include options for preventative care to help offset the cost of non-emergency medical care for your dog.
- *Get up to 90% of your bill reimbursed.
- No breed exclusions or upper age limits.
- Coverage for accidents starts immediately.
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Preventing Dogs From Chunking Up
The best way to prevent your dog from vomiting is to keep anything they shouldn't eat, drink, or chew out of reach. Around them, always supervise exploration and playtimes with toys.
Unfortunately, there's no way to eliminate vomiting entirely, as many illnesses occur without an identifiable cause. But there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of your dog puking:
- Schedule regular wellness visits yearly to ensure your pet is in top health. Chat with your vet about running routine lab tests to catch any diseases or disorders before they evolve into significant health issues.
- Keep your pet's vaccinations up to date to prevent unnecessary infectious diseases.
- Feed your dog a balanced diet.
- Transition gradually to a new diet if you plan to change their food.
- Limit human food treats to bland, low-fat fruits, veggies, and lean meats. Avoid toxic foods like grapes for dogs.
- Keep plants, medications, chemicals, cleaning materials, the trash bin, human food, and anything harmful stashed away in a cabinet or closet your dog can't open.
- Watch your pet's playtimes closely, especially when using toys, especially if they like to rip things up.
- Have your pet regularly dewormed and keep up to date on heartworm prevention.
- Remember, the sooner a disease or disorder is identified and treated, the better your dog's prognosis and the less it will cost to treat. If you're worried about your pet vomiting white foam, give your vet a call for some advice. It's always better to play it safe.
Vet visits and pet health discussions often involve discussing white foam vomit in dogs as it can indicate various issues. Pet insurance may provide financial assistance for treatments that result from such health concerns. In the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, it's crucial to monitor our pets not just for physical symptoms but also for signs of distress, as pets may show symptoms such as vomiting due to mental stress or underlying conditions.
