Vomiting white foam in a dog: causes, treatment and first aid

Vomiting in a dog is a defense mechanism of the body. It occurs reflexively. There can be many reasons why such an unpleasant sensation occurs. It occurs both as a result of banal poisoning and due to serious disorders in the animal’s body. What dog behavior should you be especially wary of?

Condition preceding vomiting

Unfortunately, our pets cannot speak and it is impossible to understand what they are feeling. This can only be determined by the behavior of the animal and its appearance.

The dog licks his lips frequently;
Does not approach the plate of food or drink water;
Due to excessive salivation, he constantly swallows saliva;
The dog is in a restless state, rushing around the rooms, not finding a place for itself;
The stomach growls;
Dyspeptic disorders occur: diarrhea or constipation.

Such similar phenomena as vomiting and regurgitation leave animal owners confused. In the second case, food does not reach the stomach, and it is removed from the esophagus. And when vomiting, food is exposed to digestive enzymes, so it looks like a yellow or yellow-green gruel.

Causes

The formation of white foam is a natural process. It occurs as a result of the interaction of mucus, oxygen, and gastric juice. With the help of spasms, the foamy mixture is pushed out.

In the case where a dog vomits once, the vomiting is physiological in nature. There is usually no need to see a doctor.

Main reasons:

The animal independently tries to get rid of the foreign body. Wool caught in the stomach and small objects eaten are harmful to health. It's better when everything comes out naturally.
The dog regurgitates the foamy contents when he is very hungry. A lot of gastric juice is produced during the day. If it is not used to digest food, then vomiting occurs.
Severe stress for a dog provokes nausea. The pet experiences changes in the environment and conditions of care. The animal often gets sick while traveling by car.
Due to the structure of the digestive tract, white foam vomiting is common in small breeds. The dog's body immediately reacts to changes in the food offered.
Breeds that salivate excessively produce mucus that can be mistaken for vomit. This occurs due to the structural features of the jaws.

Diseases that cause vomiting

Nausea becomes a sign of illness when the pet's behavior changes. The animal refuses food, is less active, whines, and hides. In addition to this, the dog burps several times a day. To establish the correct diagnosis, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic. In rare cases, the cost of providing assistance runs into hours.

List of diseases:

Poisoning from food and chemicals. There is a change in stool, lethargy and refusal to eat. In difficult cases - convulsions.
Diseases of the digestive system provoke vomiting and diarrhea with blood. These include: gastritis, cholecystitis, intestinal obstruction. The animal feels pain in the abdomen and reacts sharply to touch.
Rabies is a deadly disease for both dog and owner. Symptoms of the disease are fear of water, paralysis of the respiratory tract, and aggressive behavior.
Infectious infection occurs with elevated temperature and deterioration of the pet’s condition. Hepatitis and plague lead to depletion of the body and require immediate treatment.
White foam is a sign of worms. Pests attack the internal organs of the animal and lead to nausea. Appetite usually increases, but weight loss continues.
Epileptic seizures are accompanied by discharge from the mouth. Seizures occur most often in poodles, labradors and spaniels.
Heatstroke triggers the gag reflex. The animal may lose consciousness for a short period of time.
Kidney failure is accompanied by a pungent odor of ammonia from the mouth. Diseases of the genitourinary system require medication.

Prevention

To prevent the health problems described above in your pet, you should follow the recommendations for feeding and drinking, and also do not forget about physical activity:

 the diet should be balanced, and the portion size should correspond to the size of your four-legged friend;
It is advisable to feed the dog every day at approximately the same time and avoid starvation;
fresh water should always be freely available;
the dog must have all the necessary vaccinations according to age, his life really depends on it;
every three months it is necessary to treat your pet for fleas and parasites;
After each walk, inspect for ticks;
 It is better not to walk your dog in direct sunlight.

What to do if your dog is vomiting white foam

Emergency medical care is required when vomiting occurs several times a day and is accompanied by other dangerous symptoms. Drug treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian depending on the severity of the disease. Intravenous drips and vitamin complexes are used to relieve intoxication. You can alleviate your pet's condition at home. To do this, you need to know the rules of first aid.

First aid for vomiting

If you lose consciousness during an attack, you should empty your mouth of vomit. To do this, you need to lay the animal on its side and stick out its tongue. You cannot choke in this position. When the pet comes to its senses, it needs to be put on a starvation diet. It is allowed to give natural broths and cereals. The use of absorbents will help in case of poisoning or infection. The approved drugs will not cause harm, but rather will help alleviate the condition before arriving at the clinic. Sweet solutions will restore the water-salt balance in the body. It is necessary to solder in small portions.

Drinking regime

To avoid intensification of the pathological process, you should follow the drinking regime. The animal should be offered boiled water in limited quantities. You can carefully remove it using a syringe or spoon. The interval should be 1 hour. A large amount of water will irritate the gastric mucosa and cause nausea. In this case, the amount of liquid is reduced, increasing the time between doses. You can alternate water with specialized solutions to restore the water-salt balance.

Dietary recommendations

During illness, the dog’s nutrition must be provided in a gentle manner. The main thing is to provide dietary low-fat food so as not to put a strain on the stomach. Meat purees, porridges, and broths are suitable. In case of severe disease, you can completely refuse food for the first day. After the vomiting stops, they switch to 4-5 meals a day in small portions. If the condition was a sign of poisoning, then specialized food must be given during the recovery period. You can introduce light natural foods into your diet. Treats are limited at first. Bakery products, bones, raw vegetables and fruits should be completely excluded.

Other tips:

food must be fresh and at the optimal temperature;
your pet will eat salted food more readily;
the animal’s eating habits should be taken into account;
It is recommended to create a schedule to feed by the hour;
To restore the microflora, it is possible to take medications.

Vomiting from a tick in a dog.

A tick bite can also cause an animal to vomit. Piroplasmosis is a seasonal spring-autumn disease, the causative agent of which is the protozoan blood parasite Babesia. The single-celled parasite enters the animal's blood through a tick bite and begins to destroy red blood cells. The principle of infecting an animal is very simple:

the tick awaits its prey in the grass, on tree branches and even on the ground;
after it has dug into the skin, when it bites, it injects saliva, and with it microscopic parasites - piroplasms (babesia) - enter the bloodstream;
Parasites multiply in the animal's body, destroying red blood cells.

The incubation period of the disease lasts from 2 days to 2 weeks. Dogs of all breeds and ages suffer from piroplasmosis; young and elderly animals suffer the most. If, along with vomiting foam, your dog develops yellow diarrhea , lethargy, apathy, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, increased body temperature, pale mucous membranes, and urine becomes dark in color, your pet will most likely be prescribed treatment for piroplasmosis. Only a veterinary clinic specialist can make a final diagnosis for your pet based on examination, medical history and test results. Remember, if the dog does not receive treatment, the animal may die 4-5 days after the first symptoms of the disease appear!

Prohibited actions

In order not to harm your dog, you need to know about the actions that you should not do. Otherwise, complications and death are possible.

If your dog is vomiting, do not:

Choose your own dosage of specialized medications. Only a doctor can make a prescription. Treatment in this case is not effective and even dangerous. Without knowing the exact diagnosis, it is easy to harm the animal’s internal organs.
Antiemetics with human formulations cannot be given. The medicine is not intended for your pet and will make the situation worse. It is better to ensure rest, drinking regime and consult a doctor.
There is no need to scold or punish your dog, even if it vomits in the room or on the bed. The animal needs moral support. Seizures are difficult to control, so the pet is not aware of its actions.
There should be no collar, leash, or muzzle while vomiting. The animal can suffocate and die. The airways should be as clear as possible. For decorative breeds, tight clothing and hair clips should be removed.
In case of poisoning, it is important that all toxins leave the body. Therefore, they try not to use antiemetic drugs right away. You need to give it time and not hold back the urge.

A pet undergoing home treatment should not be left unattended. Convulsions and loss of consciousness are possible. In this state, the dog can harm itself. You need to monitor his behavior and, if necessary, contact a specialist.

What does the color and nature of vomit indicate?

White mucous discharge is often not a cause for concern. They appear during a protective reflex and help cleanse the body of hair, excess food, and foreign objects. Such vomiting is one-time in nature and does not leave any unpleasant consequences for the dog. There is no need to worry if a nursing bitch regurgitates leftover food. This reflex is due to maternal instinct: in this way, the mother feeds the babies when they grow up or when there is a lack of milk. Serious mechanical damage or a pathological process is indicated by yellow (bilious) discharge, gray or dark mucous, and bloody. Such symptoms cannot be ignored; the help of a specialist is required.

When should you go to the vet?

Medications for treatment are not prescribed independently. The only exception applies to adsorbents. If white foam comes out once, then it is considered a natural process. Thus, the dog gets rid of foreign bodies. When the condition worsens, action must be taken. First aid is provided at home before visiting the clinic.

Veterinarian help is needed:

In case of an epileptic seizure, a visit to the doctor is mandatory. After the necessary tests, medications will be prescribed to restore the central nervous system.
If there is a suspicion that your dog has rabies, you should not delay the appointment. The animal must be isolated and, if possible, a veterinarian must be called to the home.
To administer IV drips intravenously or under the withers, you cannot do without a visit to the hospital. The solutions will help restore water-salt balance, avoid dehydration and relieve intoxication.
If parasites or blood are found on the white foam, you should immediately show the animal to a doctor. At the appointment, the necessary medications will be selected after examination and diagnosis.
Diseases caused by the virus are treated with antibiotics and related medications. The dosage is calculated depending on the infection and the weight of the animal.

The physiological process does not require intervention. The animal should be monitored. The pathological condition, depending on the disease, occurs in different ways. The period for full recovery may vary. It is important to notice the problem in time and begin treatment. When properly prescribed, the disease goes away without complications for the animal. To normalize the functioning of the intestines and digestive tract, medications are prescribed after intoxication has been removed. It is necessary to provide the animal with proper care and nutrition. In order to avoid problems, preventive measures are taken. It is important that the dog receives adequate nutrition. Physical activity in the fresh air will strengthen your immune system. A healthy dog will only bring joy to its owner.

First aid: how to stop gagging

The first aid for nausea and vomiting in an animal will be to eliminate the cause of their occurrence as much as possible, if possible, as is the case with motion sickness. There is no need to disturb the animal again, you just have to observe. A single attack of nausea is not dangerous, but if the dog vomits repeatedly, and the color and nature of the vomited mass does not suggest the norm, the dog should be taken to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

If you suspect poisoning, you can independently, before the veterinarian or veterinarian arrives, give the puppy sorbents - activated carbon, smecta, enterosgel.

If vomiting occurs frequently, it is strictly forbidden to give food, as is to forcefully water the dog. It is better to offer a cup of fresh water and provide a flow of fresh air. If it is not possible to provide your pet with veterinary care in the near future, in order to avoid dehydration, you can give the animal a glucose solution intended for injection - it is quickly absorbed in the stomach and will support the dog’s strength.

Preventive actions

We should always remember that we are responsible for those we have tamed. The pet needs the close attention of the owner. The dog must have a regular balanced diet and sufficient walking time at least 2-3 times a day. Prevention of helminthiasis and vaccinations are carried out according to schedule. During walking, the animal should be kept from grabbing and, especially, swallowing pieces, bones, objects, and should not be allowed close to heaps of garbage. Once every 3 months, the dog needs a preventive examination. The animal requires proper care and a clean, dry room.

How is normal anxiety different from a panic attack?

The mechanism that triggers a panic attack is no different from what causes ordinary anxiety - both are psychophysical reactions to danger. The difference is that a panic attack is a reaction to danger in the absence of danger. However, a false alarm triggers the same cascade of reactions as a normal alarm - the sympathetic system is activated, and adrenaline is released.

A panic attack can occur due to excessive physical activity, fatigue and exhaustion, as well as due to the abuse of stimulants and alcohol. In addition, stress and unresolved conflict situations can trigger an attack. A lack of understanding of one's own experiences and feelings, a tendency to avoid and ignore negative emotions also increase vulnerability to panic disorder.

Treatment of diseases

Treatment for diseases must be comprehensive. It includes dietary nutrition, medication, cleansing and nutritional enemas, care for the animal’s nostrils and eyes. All procedures must be done as prescribed by a doctor. During the treatment process, the main task is to combat the cause that caused the disease, and then the symptoms. Significant efforts should be aimed at eliminating intoxication of the body, hypoxia, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and internal organs.

Medicines used

If a dog has lost a lot of fluid through vomiting with white foam and diarrhea, it is replenished with intravenous infusions. Treatment may include the use of various drugs. Among them:

Enzymes. Prescribed for inflammation of the stomach, intestines, and pancreas.
Drugs that normalize gastrointestinal motility.
Medicines against vomiting.
Antipyretics and analgesics.
Astringent, enveloping and adsorbing drugs that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in diseases of the mucous membranes.
Antimicrobial drugs. These include antibiotics, sulfonamides, nitrofurans.
B vitamins are recommended in parallel with antimicrobial agents.
Hepatoprotectors. Prescribed to restore liver function.
Anthelmintic drugs are used to fight parasites. It should be remembered that they destroy only adult parasites, so they are prescribed in courses with a break of 10-14 days.

Important! Anthelmintics should not be given to animals during pregnancy and lactation. This must be done 14 days before mating or for puppies 3 weeks after birth.

Nutrition during treatment

When dietary feeding a dog, it is necessary to take into account the age of the animal and the characteristics of the breed. First you need to establish a fasting mode for 12-24 hours. Access to water and rehydration drinks must be constant.

Therapeutic food should be easily absorbed by the dog’s body and contain products that prevent inflammatory processes in the digestive organs. Food should be healthy, not fatty and low in fiber. The animal's diet should contain:

B vitamins, which increase appetite;
vitamins A, E, D, which take part in metabolism and contribute to the body’s resistance to infections, parasites and other factors.
zinc - activates the metabolism of a weakened body;
manganese - improves hematopoietic function.

If emaciation and dehydration are severe, the doctor may prescribe artificial feeding through the rectum. Solutions of glucose, sodium chloride, Ringer's (a mixture of sodium, potassium and calcium chlorides of a certain concentration) are used as nutrient mixtures. Rice broth, beef or chicken broth are also recommended. Before administering nutritional formula or medications, you must give your dog a cleansing enema.

Did you know? The dog considers the owner to be the leader. Other family members will be a step lower for her than the leader, but higher than the dog itself.

Self-help or a visit to a veterinary clinic?

Of course, you should not self-medicate when your dog is vomiting white foam or blood. The best option would be to give your pet an adsorbent, such as activated carbon, enterosgel or smecta, which will help remove all the dirt from the body.

This applies to cases where the initial symptom is poisoning, but if it is mechanical damage to the walls of the stomach, a virus or more serious diseases, then absorbents will not help; help and treatment from a specialist is necessary.

There is nothing difficult to cope with vomiting due to fasting; for this you need to reduce the temporary breaks in eating. Changing your diet will also have a good effect on your appetite.

If the owner has detected worms in the vomit, then treatment with anthelmintics and medications is prescribed. Typically, treatment occurs in a course taking into account the external characteristics of the animal.

If it comes to an epileptic seizure, then you need to put the pet on its side, supporting its head in weight. Move away things that could injure or injure the dog, as in some cases the convulsions are quite severe. Once the seizures are over (meaning one seizure), you should immediately take the dog to a veterinary clinic. The veterinarian will prescribe anticonvulsants for your pet and prescribe a course of treatment.

Poisoning should be treated with adsorbents. It must be remembered that some of them are not suitable for dogs, so even in case of poisoning, the owner must be careful.

If the dog has received an injury in the mouth or it concerns mild forms of stomatitis, then the wound or damaged area is treated with an antiseptic. In case of delayed treatment, wound-healing drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs are useful.

If there is a risk of contracting rabies, the pet must be isolated and a veterinarian must be called for examination.

Antibiotics, antiviral drugs, and vitamin complexes that support the immune system help well with plague. It is worth remembering that they must also be prescribed by a veterinarian.