Introduction
As a dog owner, it can be extremely alarming to see your dog suddenly vomiting white foam and shaking. While these symptoms may appear quite serious, in many cases the cause is something benign that can be easily treated at home. White foam vomit is often caused by empty stomach bile or a diet change, which can lead to an upset stomach but pass quickly. Shaking can likewise indicate nerves, excitement, or simply your dog feeling unwell for a short period.
Though dramatic, neither vomiting white foam or shaking necessitates an emergency vet visit right away. There are several common culprits that often lead to these symptoms in dogs, which will be explored below. By understanding the various causes, you can monitor your dog and provide whatever care is needed. However, if symptoms persist or seem extreme, it’s always best to have your veterinarian examine your dog to rule out any serious issues.
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is an infectious respiratory disease that dogs can contract from other dogs. The main symptom of kennel cough is a forceful, hacking cough that often sounds like your dog has something caught in their throat. Kennel cough is caused by a bacterium called Bordetella bronchiseptica and can spread quickly between dogs in close quarters.
In mild cases of kennel cough, your dog may have a cough but seem otherwise normal. However, in some cases, dogs can develop more severe symptoms like retching, gagging, or vomiting white foam. The coughing fits from kennel cough can cause your dog to regurgitate frothy saliva or phlegm from the back of the throat, giving it a white, foamy appearance.
While kennel cough itself is rarely life-threatening, the coughing fits can certainly cause your dog distress and make them feel unwell. Kennel cough is also highly contagious between dogs, spreading through respiratory droplets in the air or from contaminated surfaces. So if your dog is around other dogs, kennel cough should be one of the first things to rule out when vomiting white foam.
Upset Stomach
An upset stomach is a common cause for a dog throwing up white foam and shaking. Eating something disagreeable, eating too fast, or having digestive issues can trigger nausea and vomiting. The white foam is produced when digestive juices, air, and stomach acids mix together.
If your dog ate spoiled food, toxic substances, or even just ate too much too quickly, its stomach may revolt against the irritation. The vomiting removes the unpleasant contents of the stomach to relieve the irritation. Shaking and lethargy can accompany an upset stomach as the dog feels unwell.
Try feeding smaller meals, avoiding sudden food changes, and preventing access to trash or other items that could cause stomach upset. Withhold food for 6-12 hours to allow the stomach to rest and settle, then reintroduce a bland diet such as boiled chicken and rice before transitioning back to the regular diet.
If vomiting and diarrhea persist more than 24 hours or the dog seems extremely ill, take it to the vet right away. They can provide anti-nausea medication, gut motility drugs, or other treatments to soothe the stomach and resolve any underlying issues.
Overexertion
Getting too much intense exercise, particularly in hot and humid weather, can overheat your dog and cause them to vomit white foam and shake. When a dog’s body temperature rises above the normal range, it can lead to heat exhaustion. Their body will try to cool itself down by panting heavily, which produces thick white saliva. The saliva can turn into a foam as the dog pants and swallows repeatedly.
The muscle tremors and shaking occur because overheating places strain on their muscles. Physical exertion causes a buildup of metabolic waste products like lactic acid in the muscles. These waste products disrupt normal muscle contractions, resulting in uncontrollable shaking and tremors. The leg muscles are often the most vulnerable to this trembling after intense exercise.
To prevent overexertion, make sure your dog has access to shade and water when exercising. Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day. Know your dog’s limits and allow them to rest when they are panting heavily or seem overtired. Watch for signs of heatstroke like excessive panting, bright red gums, disorientation, and collapse. If you suspect overheating, stop exercise immediately and help your dog cool down.
Anxiety/Stress
Dogs can experience anxiety and stress just like humans. Anxiety disorders in dogs may manifest in physical symptoms like vomiting white foam and shaking. Some common triggers for anxiety in dogs include:
– Separation from owners
– Loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms
– Travel like car rides or being in unfamiliar places
– Interactions with strangers or other animals
Anxious behaviors like panting, pacing, destructive chewing, and inappropriate urination/defecation can also occur. If your dog is throwing up white foam and shaking in situations that typically trigger stress, anxiety is likely the cause. Try to minimize exposures to stressors and talk to your vet about anti-anxiety medications or calming supplements if the issue persists. Providing a safe space, toys and puzzles for mental stimulation, and pheromone diffusers can also help relieve anxiety.
Poisoning
Dogs can accidentally ingest toxins that induce vomiting and tremors. Common sources of poisoning include antifreeze, chemicals, chocolate, xylitol (an artificial sweetener), and human medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is highly toxic to dogs. As little as a teaspoon can be fatal. Signs of antifreeze poisoning include vomiting, tremors, and neurological abnormalities. Immediate veterinary treatment is essential.
Household chemicals like bleach, detergents, or pesticides can also cause vomiting foam if ingested. These contain corrosive or toxic compounds that irritate the stomach and digestive tract.
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs cannot metabolize efficiently. Ingesting even small amounts can induce vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and abnormal heart rhythms.
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in some gums, candies, and baked goods. For dogs, it can stimulate rapid insulin release and cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar, leading to vomiting, tremors, and liver damage.
Human medications should always be kept out of a dog’s reach. Drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are toxic to dogs, even in small doses. Ingestion causes stomach upset, vomiting foam, tremors, and liver or kidney damage.
If poisoning is suspected, take the dog to the vet immediately. Speed is critical for successful treatment and preventing serious complications.
Distemper
Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs and some wild animals like raccoons and foxes. It is caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV) which attacks the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous systems of dogs.
The virus can cause gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. The vomiting is often yellow or white foam as the stomach lining gets irritated by the virus. The virus replicates in the intestines and lymph nodes first, causing inflammation and shedding of the gastrointestinal lining which leads to vomiting and diarrhea.
Distemper also causes neurological symptoms like involuntary muscle twitches and spasms. This is because the virus spreads to the nervous system and brain, causing inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (encephalomyelitis). The inflammation damages the myelin sheath covering the nerve cells, leading to muscular spasms, tremors, and seizures in severe cases.
So in summary, distemper can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological issues like muscle spasms as it attacks the dog’s gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous systems. The vomiting is often white foam as the stomach lining gets inflamed and irritated by the replicating virus.
Other Health Issues
While less common, there are some other health issues that could potentially cause a dog to throw up white foam and shake. These include:
- Kidney disease – Kidney dysfunction can lead to nausea and gastrointestinal upset.
- Addison’s disease – An endocrine disorder that affects adrenal gland function. It can cause vomiting and shaking.
- Hypoglycemia – Low blood sugar levels may prompt vomiting and tremors as the body reacts to the glucose deficit.
- Pancreatitis – Inflammation of the pancreas often presents with vomiting and abdominal pain.
- Liver disease – Canine liver dysfunction may manifest with gastrointestinal signs like vomiting.
Though less prevalent, these conditions should also be ruled out by a veterinarian if a dog exhibits concerning symptoms. Diagnostic testing like bloodwork helps determine if one of these illnesses could be the underlying cause.
When to See the Vet
If your dog is throwing up white foam and shaking, it’s important to monitor their condition closely. Though these symptoms may resolve on their own in some cases, they can also indicate a more serious underlying issue that requires veterinary care.
You should contact or visit an emergency vet promptly if the vomiting and/or shaking is severe, persists for more than a day, or is accompanied by other concerning signs. These include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Pale or bluish gums
- Collapsing or general weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or extreme fatigue
- Fever
- Diarrhea or bloody stools
- Crying or whining in pain
Seizures, tremors, disorientation, or other neurological symptoms also warrant an urgent vet visit. Puppies, elderly dogs, and dogs with compromised immune systems may need medical attention more quickly.
Veterinary assessment can identify or rule out serious conditions requiring rapid treatment, like poisoning, organ issues, infection, or hypoglycemia. Your vet may prescribe medications, intravenous fluids, or other therapies to help stabilize your dog and treat any underlying problem.
Though alarming, vomiting white foam and shaking often turns out to be manageable with swift vet care. So don’t hesitate to call or visit your vet if your dog’s symptoms concern you or linger beyond a day.
Prevention Tips
There are several things you can do to help prevent your dog from throwing up white foam and shaking:
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Exercise your dog regularly, but avoid overexertion. Take breaks during long walks or high intensity play.
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Keep your home and yard free of toxins like antifreeze, household cleaners, chocolate, and toxic plants. Secure trash cans.
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Try to minimize your dog’s anxiety and stress. Introduce unfamiliar situations gradually and use calming aids if needed.
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Make sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, especially against distemper and kennel cough.
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Provide a nutritious diet and fresh water. Avoid sudden food changes.
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Talk to your vet about preventative care for parasites like heartworm.
While you can’t prevent all cases of vomiting and shaking, following these tips can reduce the likelihood and help keep your dog happy and healthy.
