Why is my dog gagging and coughing up white foam?

Dogs that suffer from rabies show many signs like aggression and muscle spasms, and the white foam is one of the last symptoms to appear.

Bilious Vomiting Syndrome

Bilious vomiting syndrome is a condition similar to that of acid reflux in humans. Bile acids produce naturally and aid in the processing and digestion of food.

Bile can cause severe irritation when the dog has an empty stomach. It will ultimately cause anorexia and vomiting in extreme situations.

The vomiting that occurs in bilious vomiting syndrome is white, yellow, green, and brown in color, and is sometimes accompanied by slimy mucus.

The best and easiest way to control this condition is to feed smaller meals at regular intervals ideally 2-3 small meals and snacks in between.

Another remedy is to give your dog medication which your veterinarian can provide.

This approach can be used if the smaller meals don’t seem to be helping or if you don’t have time to feed your dog that often due to a busy lifestyle.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is defined as inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis will result in an alteration of normal digestive function.

When food is not properly digested or undigested, then processed food has no choice but to eliminate it except vomiting.

The vomit that occurs as a result of pancreatitis is white and frothy.

Dogs suffering from diabetes are at high risk of developing pancreatitis, so the white foam in vomiting is associated with diabetes.

Fever, abdominal pain, and hunched over position are other symptoms related to pancreatitis. A trip to the vet should be your first port of call.

Parvovirus

Parvovirus is a deadly condition that can lead to the death of dogs.

In parvo infection, the inner lining of the intestine is damaged, and when the intestine is damaged, water and food will not be absorbed; as a result, the dog will suffer from malnutrition and dehydration.

During a viral infection, a secondary infection can also appear, and bacteria are seen in the bloodstream.

This combination of malnutrition, dehydration, and infection creates deadly problems.

The common symptoms that appear in Parvo are foamy vomiting and diarrhea.

The condition of the dog’s body becomes so weak that when they try to eat or drink, they get sick. There is no easy way to treat parvovirus in dogs.

Regurgitation

Regurgitation is the process in which the dog vomits foamy food that has not yet been digested, and the food ingredients are easily recognized.

This condition is usually temporary and occurs as a result of your dog eating food too quickly.

As a result of this, you may see your pup suffering from dog hiccups.

What To Do If Your Dog Vomits White Foam?

If your dog is continuously vomiting white foam, the best idea is to call your vet. If the symptoms are not severe and directly linked to a milder, one-off cause then there is nothing to worry about.

If you know your dog has eaten a lot of grass and vomits white foam, he’ll most likely be fine after a few hours.

If there is any other reason behind the white foam, it is better to seek professional medical help.

With an upset stomach, do not offer your dog food for up to 12 hours and then an easily digestible homemade meal (think rice and chicken) until symptoms subside.

Often a sick dog will intuitively refuse to eat on their own.

Offer food in small amounts, and if he tolerates it, your puppy is free of infection.

Some dogs sure will eat the strangest of objects. I’ve heard stories of digested tennis balls, unidentifiable garbage, plastic kids toys and other random objects.

If you notice your dog is a furry garbage disposal unit on legs that will consider any object a potential snack try to keep them out of reach as much as possible.

We know it’s not easy to take away every object but especially make sure anything toxic can’t disappear into the mouth of your dog.

Some dog owners, especially those living rurally or on farms, would be shocked if they knew what their dogs had eaten in the past.

Also, eating anything and everything in sight might be a sign your dog is bored and needs more exercise and stimulation.

When Should You See The Vet?

In normal cases where dogs vomit white foam, it may be due to indigestion but serious issues need to be ruled out

If your dog is vomiting white foam due to pancreatitis, parvovirus, swelling, and kidney problem, it’s time to see the vet.

The same applies if your dog also shows any of the following signals for sickness:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Disorientation
• Dehydration
• Problems urinating
• Excessive drooling
• Inability to defecate
• Fever
• Pale gums
• Pain in the abdomen
• Weakness

Conclusion

The dog may vomit white foam or slime due to infection, indigestion, kidney problems, regurgitation, acid reflux symptom, or sometimes when the stomach is empty.

If your dog is also anorexic and is dehydrated with vomiting white foam, contact your vet immediately.

If you are unsure if your dog just has a case of indigestion or if it might be something more serious, take a trip straight to the veterinarian for your own peace of mind.

Our pets are like our babies and it weighs heavily on our hearts when they are not well. We hope your furry companion is feeling better and back on his paws soon.

Disclaimer: This blog post doesn’t substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. If your dog shows any signs of illness, call your vet immediately.