Foaming At The Mouth Of A Dog – Reasons

Foaming at the mouth of a dog is no exception. The pet requires help, and only the owner and the doctor can provide it together. As the dog is transported to the clinic, the owner must collect information on the possible causes of such a condition. The doctor uses data from the owner and the examination to determine the cause and prescribe the necessary therapy.

Causes of Foaming at the Mouth in Dogs

The reasons for this phenomenon can be both physiologically normal and pathological, that is, characteristic of some disease and posing a threat to the dog’s body.

Physiologically normal

• Severe, prolonged hunger . Due to a prolonged absence of food, an increased amount of gastric juice is secreted in the animal’s stomach – this can provoke the release of contents into the esophagus and the regurgitation of foamy liquid by the animal.
• Rapid consumption of large portions of food after a long period of fasting .
• Lumps of wool or grass that, when accumulated, are removed by abundant secretion of gastric juice. The contents in this case will take on the color of the contamination – green, brown or black.
• Eating specific substances with a strong irritating taste – bitter, sour, spicy. Usually such a reaction is observed as a response to taking medications.
• Exposure to external irritants that put the pet into a state of stress promotes active secretion of saliva, which, when in contact with oxygen, becomes foamy.
• Small foreign objects in the oral cavity , which the animal’s body tries to remove through copious amounts of saliva.
• Nausea is possible in pregnant bitches (mainly dwarf breeds) in the morning.

In case of illness

• Viral diseases – rabies, plague of carnivores, Aujeszky’s disease, tracheobronchitis. All these conditions require immediate intervention of a veterinarian and are dangerous for both the animal and the person. If your pet’s character has changed in a short time, foam is at the mouth and there is a fear of water or light, isolate the animal from yourself and immediately call the veterinary service.
• Oncology . A neoplasm in the lumen of the esophagus, pharynx or oral cavity can cause such conditions. Foam may be mixed with blood.
• Trauma and inflammation in the oral cavity . In case of trauma to the oral mucosa by sharp mechanical objects – splinters, bones, fragments – more saliva begins to be produced to protect against harmful bacteria. Inflammation of the gums, teeth, the presence of tartar can also contribute to active salivation. In this case, saliva is most often foul-smelling.
• Liver and kidney disease. Yellow or dark green foam from the mouth of a dog may be released in case of liver or kidney disease, as a manifestation of intoxication and nausea.
• Cardiovascular pathologies . Foamy discharge from the oral cavity after excitement or intense physical exertion may indicate cardiovascular pathology and the onset of pulmonary edema. This situation requires immediate medical attention.
• Poisoning with neurogenic (acting on nerve cells) toxins and epileptic seizures . If a dog has a lot of foam coming out of its mouth and convulsions, this may indicate poisoning of the body with toxic substances, including preparations for treatment against external and internal parasites. This condition also requires emergency intervention. Epileptic seizures may be accompanied by a lot of foam or saliva coming out of the mouth.
• Acute allergic condition . In a situation with acute allergies, in addition to current reactions in the form of swollen lymph nodes, vomiting, diarrhea or itching, vomiting may occur. In this case, the dog actively secretes white foam and saliva from the mouth.

Additional symptoms

• Thus, abundant foam flow may be accompanied by:
• convulsions;
• lack of appetite;
• vomit;
• bleeding from the mouth;
• foul odor from the mouth.

First aid

The first thing to do is to understand whether there is a direct danger to humans in this case. Never approach a dog that is foaming at the mouth if the animal is homeless or not vaccinated against rabies. It is better to immediately contact a state veterinary institution. Such dogs are quarantined and monitored by specialists to prevent infection of other animals and people with a dangerous disease. Control is exercised over a dangerous disease – rabies.

If the injured dog has been vaccinated against rabies and has no history of bites by wild animals, the pet can be given first aid, since in this case there is no threat to human health. It must be laid on its side on a flat surface, covered with a blanket or quilt. In no case should the head be thrown back to avoid inhaling the contents of the oral cavity into the respiratory tract.

Only a doctor can help a dog in a seizure, so it is necessary to transport it to a clinic as quickly as possible. It is worth recording a video of what is happening for the specialist.

It is not worth fixing or holding an animal during a seizure – at the moment of convulsions, it does not control its body, often does not realize what is happening around, may not recognize the owner and unknowingly cause injury to a person.

If the pet is conscious, the discharge can be removed with a soft cloth to avoid wetting the fur and possible decrease in body temperature .

In the clinic, it is important to undergo a complete examination to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe therapy.

Foaming at the mouth of a puppy

Foam is coming out of the baby’s mouth, what could be the cause?

This condition in a puppy can be caused by the same reasons as in adult dogs: a long period of hunger, poisoning, neoplasms, epileptic seizures and even poisoning with neurogenic toxins. The difference is the increased speed of development of pathological processes in the animal’s body. This means that you need to go to the doctor as soon as possible.

The baby may also need a hot water bottle during transportation – it is more difficult to maintain the puppy’s body temperature. In case of illness, drop in blood pressure, or sugar level – it immediately drops.

Diagnostics

1. A complete blood count is a general analysis that indicates the presence and nature of an inflammatory process, indications for blood transfusion or emergency infusion (resuscitation) therapy.
2. Biochemical blood test . This test is mandatory on an empty stomach – 6-8 hours of fasting – and shows the condition of the organs – liver, kidneys, heart, indicates emergency conditions of the animal that require immediate intervention.
3. Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs and heart – monitoring of visual changes in the dog’s organs.
4. Electrolyte analysis – this indicator indicates the salt composition of the blood, which makes it possible to select saline solutions for IV drips.
5. Laryngo-, esophago-, gastroscopy – visual examination of the mucous membrane of the upper gastrointestinal tract – endoscopic examination.
6. Taking a biopsy of the altered areas of organs – further histology and cytology (cell analysis) of the material – establishing the type of tumor or inflammatory process.
7. X-ray of the skull, upper and lower jaw of the animal – if there is a need to remove teeth – determination of the condition of the tooth, differentiation of altered teeth from healthy ones.
8. PCR, ELISA, IHA studies of animal materials for viral infections – plague of carnivores, adenovirus infection and others.
9. CT, MRI examination of the head, neck, chest of an animal if necessary to control a soft tissue formation causing pathological changes.

Treatment

• For a dog with convulsions and bites of wild animals, not vaccinated against rabies, quarantine in a state veterinary institution is recommended, monitoring of the condition and maintaining safety for surrounding doctors, owners, and other animals.
• Foaming at the mouth of a dog and convulsions may indicate poisoning, epilepsy, neurogenic viral infections. In this case, it is recommended:
• putting the animal into a drug-induced sleep;
• use of possible antidotes;
• use of anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs;
• supportive therapy in the form of antiemetics, painkillers, decongestants, administration of saline solutions, etc.;
• stabilization of the condition in a hospital under the supervision of doctors. Such patients require constant high-quality monitoring: control of blood pressure, brain function, sugar levels, condition of the abdominal and chest organs.
• For cardiovascular diseases the following is necessary:
• diuretic therapy, which reduces pressure in the vessels and, accordingly, effusion (excess) fluid in the lungs
• oxygen therapy – an animal with pulmonary edema experiences a catastrophic lack of oxygen, which affects the performance of the entire body. Doctors will compensate for this deficit.
• The dog requires 24-hour hospitalization and monitoring: X-rays and ultrasound of the chest in dynamics, temperature control , selection of the dosage of the diuretic drug.
• In case of prolonged hunger in puppies of dwarf dog breeds it is necessary:
• administration of antiemetic therapy (if necessary);
• feeding – they begin to give food in small portions, gradually increasing them to standard ones as the animal’s condition stabilizes.
• New growths, injuries requiring surgical interventions, inflammation of teeth and gums require:
• surgical excision of the formation;
• removal of affected teeth with subsequent treatment of wound cavities;
• antibacterial therapy and antiseptic treatment, which reduces the level of pathological (disturbed) microflora. Accordingly, swelling and allows subsequently to select a full-fledged informative cytology or histology of the affected tissues;
• chemotherapy (strictly after receiving the results of histology, selected according to the type of tumor process that has affected the dog).
• The allergic condition is corrected with antihistamines (anti-allergy) drugs, steroid hormones (depending on the severity and acuteness of the condition).

Prevention of causes

• Timely, high-quality vaccination saves animals from neurogenic viral diseases, including rabies.
• Regular examination of the animal by specialists and monitoring of its condition makes it possible to detect the disease at an early stage of development – thus, it will be easier to help the pet.
• Annual ultrasonic cleaning and polishing of teeth, treatment with gels, sprays, and the use of special additives in water help maintain the health of teeth and soft tissues of the oral cavity.
• The absence of bones, sharp toys and other objects in the diet saves the dog from injuries and perforations (breakthroughs) of the soft tissues of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
• High-quality supervision of the animal during a walk and maintenance of the walking area help prevent the dog from eating toxic drugs, substances and solutions.
• A consultation with a veterinary specialist allows you to gain knowledge on caring for a young, adult and aged animal, monitor its feeding (frequency, composition and quality of the diet). In this way, you can foresee food intolerance, exacerbation of inflammation of the pancreas, liver, kidneys or hunger vomiting, nausea.

Resume

• Foaming from the mouth of a dog, whether or not in a state of convulsions, requires a medical examination, diagnosis and hospitalization.
• The causes of this condition can be both physiological (prolonged hunger, excitement, bitter drugs, etc.) and pathological (poisoning, viral infection, neoplasm of the oral cavity and even stomatitis)
• Diagnostics is very important and has a wide range of studies: blood tests, X-rays, CT or MRI, ultrasound studies, histology and others. It is selected based on the results of the animal’s examination.
• Treatment involves a high-quality selection of therapy and drugs taking into account the established diagnosis and may include: surgical intervention, treatment, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and even antihistamine drugs.
• Prevention of this condition includes vaccination, careful selection of feeding standards, supervision during walks, preventive examinations and tests.