If you are a dog owner you will surely have an idea how a concerned pet owner would feel if anything amiss is noticed in the pet. Dog owners make sure that the pet is provided with all its needs. Dogs are actually pampered pets. Pet salons are great money-making ventures. Manufacturers of dog treats, dog essential supplies and dog accessories are thriving businesses because dog owners would not think twice to spend top dollar as long as the basic and the not so basic needs of the pet are provided. Dogs are not unlike little children that are hugged and kissed. Dog owners enjoy watching the pet sleep thus they are allowed to sleep on the bed of the master. Imagine how a loving owner would worry if the pet is sick. The vet would always be the dog’s first line of defense against any illnesses. It would be best to err on the safe side and to run to the vet rather than allow the dog’s condition to get worse. However, there are instances when a vet’s attention will not be necessary. Common sense and a little know how would be enough to deal with the condition of the pet. If the pet is foaming at the mouth, should you or should you not take the pet to the vet’s?

Rabies! This will be the first thought that would come to the mind of a dog owner if the pet is seen with white foam coming out from the mouth. Rabies is most unlikely especially in places where regular immunization against rabies is mandated by the state. In most cases, the dog’s condition is nothing serious and would not warrant a vet’s attention. We know that dogs are indiscriminate eaters. A dog would investigate anything interesting with the mouth. In doing so, objects and substances that are not supposed to be in the stomach will be ingested. The bad taste in the mouth will make the dog salivate. The dog’s system will also find a way to expulse the offending substance from the stomach. A dog can easily vomit anything that was not accepted by the stomach. The dog will salivate. The effort to heave will make the dog pant and foam in the mouth. The foaming mouth can be the result of too much bile in the stomach. The same with acid reflux in humans, dogs too would produce white thick foam. Foaming at the mouth can be the result of physical exertion. After running or playing hard, the dog’s heavy breathing will turn the saliva into froth. Stress and anxiety will cause the dog to drool. A highly stressed dog will breathe rapidly causing the drool to foam. Foaming at the mouth arising from the above mentioned situations is not really a serious concern as the condition normally disappears. Dog owners should not be concerned especially when no other symptoms are noticed.

The reasons why dogs foam at the mouth are varied. A dog that shows other symptoms aside from foaming in the mouth would need immediate medical attention. A dog that has ingested a toxic substance would foam in the mount. One that shows difficulty in swallowing and having breathing difficulties may have swallowed an object that is creating a blockage. Bloat, also known as gastric dilation is an extremely dangerous condition where the dog can die in a matter of hours is treatment is not administered. One of the symptoms of bloat is foaming at the mouth. A seizing dog will foam at the mouth as well.

Dog owners would always want what is best for the pet. A dog owner has to observe the dog and to determine if emergency measures to help the pet are necessary.