Why Do Dogs Foam at the Mouth

Why Do Dogs Foam at the Mouth?

Foaming at the mouth is a symptom, for many years, that people have associated with rabies.  However, this is not always the case as it can also be caused by agitation, heavy breathing, distress, and anxiety.  We recommend that you make an appointment with you veterinarian if your dog is foaming at the mouth.  The causes can be mild to severe, but it is best to determine the cause immediately.  Several cause of this condition may include the following:

  • Rabies
  • Seizures
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Poison
  • Overexertion
  • Oral Health Issues
  • Stress

Prevention is key to ensuring that your dog doesn’t foam at the mouth.  If your dog has a serious health issue, the treatments may be effective enough for them to properly recover, causing the condition to end.  If you must resort to taking your dog to the veterinarian, there are many steps which will be taken to assess the issue.  Depending on the extend of the foaming, your veterinarian may choose to give your dog IV fluids and perform other techniques to stabilize your dog.  Your vet may continue to perform a variety of tests to help them diagnose your dog’s condition.  Blood work, urine sampling, and a biochemistry sample may be completed to effectively acquire baseline data.