What Do I Do if My Dog is Foaming at the Mouth?

If you notice your dog is foaming at the mouth, take a pause before panicking. Whenever a pet parent hears about this symptom, it’s natural to leap to the conclusion that it’s because of rabies. But, that’s not always the case.

Let’s take a quick look at what could be the reason behind your dog’s foaming mouth and what should you do about it.

BUT FIRST, WHAT DOES FOAMING AT THE MOUTH EVEN LOOK LIKE?

An excessive, frothy drooling which often takes on a thick, whitish appearance is commonly referred to as “foaming at the mouth.”

WHEN SHOULD YOU BE CONCERNED?

If your pup has been playing around a bit more than usual, foaming at the mouth may just be a result of overactivity, which is completely normal. Yay! On the other paw, if your dog hasn’t been very active or is showing other symptoms out of the norm, it could be a sign of a more serious issue.

REASONS DOGS FOAM AT THE MOUTH

There are many factors with different levels of severity that can cause foaming at the mouth in dogs. It’s best to reach out to an emergency vet right away. Even if the underlying cause doesn’t turn out to be a big deal, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your canine companion.

Rabies

Just as the film Jaws made swimmers afraid of the ocean, the movie Cujo gave dog owners more than a little fear of their own dog! It’s natural to worry about rabies, but let’s look at the facts to get this biggie out of the way.

While rabies does cause foaming at the mouth, it’s actually pretty rare to see since most dogs are already vaccinated against it. But that’s not to rule it out entirely when you notice a foaming at the mouth. In the rare case of rabies, it may present itself with multiple other symptoms, including:

• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Severe mood changes
• Weakness
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Sensitivity to lights, sounds, and touch

Other common reasons

Here are some of the more likely causes that make dog’s foam at the mouth:  

• Ingestion of toxins 
• Ingestion of something bitter
• Dental disease
• Heatstroke
• Seizures
• Nausea

WHAT SHOULD IF YOU SEE MOUTH FOAMING

The best thing you can do for your pup is to call VEG or your nearest emergency vet immediately for a quick diagnosis and an early treatment. Figuring out the cause behind the foaming will play a key role in getting your pooch the care he needs.

HAVE NO FEAR, VEG IS HERE!

Our 24-hour veterinary emergency hospitals have high-quality veterinarians who can get to the bottom of your dog’s symptoms. This typically includes a physical examination and certain tests to inform proper treatment.

Your dog’s health is our top priority and we’re fully prepared to handle any emergency situation. With locations all over the country that are open 24/7, we’ll triage your pet immediately. At VEG, we believe that most pet owners don’t want to wait in a lobby while the pet is taken to “the back,” so we encourage you to stay with your pet the entire time, from triage to treatment to recovery!