If a dog suddenly starts Choking sounds It's quite a frightening moment for many animal lovers. They often become even more frightened when he does so afterwards white mucus eliminated.
Fortunately, most of the causes that lead to this are not acutely life-threatening. However, there are also cases in which white sputum is a sign of a serious problem.
So that you know what you are probably dealing with, you can find the following article the 10 most common reasons for regurgitating white mucus. Furthermore, I have you 6 solutions put together that can ensure improvement for your four-legged friend.
The 10 most common reasons for gagging with white mucus
1. Gastrointestinal problems
If your dog is making gagging noises and vomiting white mucus, there is often a problem Upset stomach behind it. Four-legged friends are much more susceptible to gastrointestinal problems because their digestive system is much more sensitive than that of humans.
That means that already small amounts of spoiled food enough to cause the digestive tract to rebel. If white mucus appears, this usually means that the stomach is rather empty; for example, the dog has often picked up some rubbish on a walk.
Gastrointestinal problems are often present other symptoms noticeable: It then rumbles in the stomach and the four-legged friend is very calm or even assumes a protective posture. Additional diarrhea is also typical.
2. Respiratory infections
Another common cause of gagging is white mucus Respiratory tract infections. These are usually viral and the sputum is produced in the lungs.
The slime has a very productive effect: It is there to transport viruses and other germs out of the lungs. So regurgitation like this makes perfect sense.
Other symptoms of respiratory diseases
- Rattling
- Sneeze
- Cough
- Fever
- Moist eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Significantly calmer behavior.
Often this is one Bronchitis, which, in addition to sputum, also provokes shortness of breath. In an experiment carried out in 1982, in which bronchitis was intentionally caused in six dogs, for example, heavy mucus formation was demonstrated.
But other clinical pictures are also possible, from the highly contagious “Kennel cough” about an ordinary one A cold up to the Pneumonia. In chronic or delayed illnesses, the mucus is generally firmer than in “fresh” infections.
3. Poisonings
But be careful: Also Poisonings can cause the dog to attempt to regurgitate the toxic substances. This is often the case Groceries, that are unsuitable for the animals, such as chocolate, grapes, garlic or onions. But also Poison bait represent a life-threatening danger.
The sputum that is then produced by the dog can then have different colors: White mucus is particularly common on an empty stomach, it can also foamy come along. Red or brown mucus, on the other hand, suggests internal bleeding.
Further information
Not every poisoning is fatal, but it is still a life-threatening emergency. That's why you need to know exactly what to do. I therefore advise you to take a close look at our article on the topic of “Poisoning in dogs”.
4. Stomach hyperacidity & heartburn
At a Stomach hyperacidity or hyperacidity The four-legged friend's stomach produces too much acid. It occurs quite often in dogs, e.g
- Due to false expectations of food, which unnecessarily stimulates acid formation
- Due to feed intolerances
- Food that is too heavy in the stomach or
- As a side effect of medication.
Veterinarian Dr. Gregor Berg gives tips for immediate help with stomach acidity. Source: Dr. Berg Pet Food / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idtbiAB0Yqw
As a result, the excess stomach acid is passed into the esophagus, causing the dog to belch – so it is heartburn. The four-legged friend becomes nauseous, has trouble swallowing and instinctively gags. The mucus mixed with stomach acid is often white in color.
5. Parasites
It's not just infections and unhealthy foods that cause gastrointestinal problems: too Parasites are often responsible for this.
Lots of freeloaders like Worms and other microorganisms Like giardia, they prefer to live in the digestive tract of four-legged friends and cause a lot of damage there. Not only do they take valuable nutrients away from the dog, the intestinal flora is also affected.
The result: The dog has to gag again and again, and white mucus is occasionally excreted. In cases of severe worm infestation, it is sometimes even possible to see the parasites with the naked eye.
Further evidence of parasite infestation
- Dog loses weight
- Coat problems & hair loss
- Frequent diarrhea
- Flatulence.
Almost every dog suffers from severe parasite infestation at least once in their life, and animals with a lot of free space are particularly affected. Healthy animals get along well with the parasites for a long time, but the uninvited guests become very critical in puppies and four-legged friends with a weak immune system.
6. Kidney failure
Older dogs in particular are comparatively common Kidney failure affected – either as a sequela of other illnesses, as an acute clinical picture (e.g. after poisoning) or for genetic reasons. As soon as the important metabolic organ no longer works properly, the four-legged friends become significantly weaker and less resilient.
A possible symptom is regurgitation of white mucus as a result of gastrointestinal problems. Other signs that actually always occur in parallel include, for example, very frequent passing of urine, strong thirst for no reason, apathetic behavior and also diarrhea.
7. Chronic & Acute Inflammation
Also Inflammation in the abdomen can cause the dog to regurgitate white mucus. This can be, for example, a Pancreatitis act, but also one gastritis with inflammation of the gastric mucous membranes is a common associated clinical picture.
Rather rare, but also within the realm of possibility chronic inflammation of the intestines, e.g. Crohn's disease, or that Esophagus. The mucus then has a white color because the dog has to gag even when the contents of the stomach are empty.
8. Parvovirus
The so-called is very treacherous and life-threatening Parvovirus. She is from highly contagious parvovirus Unfortunately, the viruses are among the most robust and stubborn representatives of their kind. According to a study published in 2015, the disease is primarily for puppies, Dogs the drink too little and four-legged friends psychological problems such as depression threatening.
Many affected dogs react with gagging and vomiting, which also occurs on an empty stomach – white mucus can then be observed. But this is not the only symptom: infected animals also have a high fever, loss of appetite and usually bloody diarrhea.
The virus reduces the number of white blood cells and thus weakens the immune system. Other organs such as the heart can also be affected. If left untreated, many dogs eventually die of circulatory failure.
9. Foreign body
Another cause of white mucus can be Foreign body be that were picked up by the dog. If these are too large and/or poorly shaped, they get stuck in the body and cannot be eliminated on their own.
Nevertheless, the dog instinctively tries. He then tries to choke out the troublemaker, sometimes – for example with eaten hair – this is quite successful. If this happens on an empty stomach, primarily white sputum is excreted.
If a foreign body does not come off on its own, it can be very dangerous: He is then, for example, in a position to do something that is life-threatening Intestinal obstruction to cause. Even then the dog gags, but the sputum is often brown because it is mixed with food or even feces.
10. A lot stress
Finally, it is also possible for a dog to choke because he is under a lot of stress suffers. Then other symptoms often appear, such as trembling, tucked tail, hyperactive or extremely calm behavior or aggressiveness.
The risk factors include, for example:
- Lots of noise or noise
- Too much hustle and bustle in the house
- “Bullying” by other pets
- Strenuous journeys, e.g. by car or public transport (motion sickness)
- Too little sleep.
Dogs affected by this sit more often Stress hormones such as adrenaline, which in turn can cause nausea, among other things. Then they start feeling sick or gagging for no apparent reason. If the stomach is otherwise empty, only white mucus comes up.
Dog gagging white mucus: This one 6 solutions can help
The possible causes for regurgitating white mucus are very diverse: There is not always reason to worry, especially in individual episodes without other symptoms, the cause is usually harmless.
But sometimes they also get stuck serious health problems behind it. Then of course you should do everything you can to make sure your four-legged friend feels better again soon. You should like the following 6 tips very helpful.
Always disinfect well
If your dog regurgitates white mucus, you should always clean the affected areas thoroughly afterwards. This way you avoid pathogens potentially infecting you or other pets.
1. Take regular precautions
Some causes that lead to regurgitation of white mucus can be identified in advance fight prophylactically. Even if the dog is currently having problems, you should keep these preventive measures in mind and apply them later.
These include, for example:
- A complete vaccination schedule, for example against parvovirus
- Regular deworming, especially if the dog is out and about unsupervised a lot
- Intervene if the four-legged friend sniffs the feces of other animals, for example
- Take precautions to ensure that the animal cannot reach harmful food or garbage
- Appropriate clothing for wet and cold weather (e.g. sweaters for dogs, dog raincoat, dog winter coat).
2. In case of persistent problems & other symptoms vet
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from a serious illness based on the symptoms, you should go to the dog as soon as possible Vet. In some cases – e.g. poisoning, parvovirus or pancreatitis – an immediate visit to the emergency service, even at night, is actually mandatory!
Otherwise, it's always worth going if that's the case Symptom persists for a long time. After the diagnosis, a therapy plan can be drawn up so that your loved one feels better in the long term. Furthermore, you prevent diseases such as “simple” bronchitis from becoming chronic.
Separate the animal from other animals
In the case of infectious diseases, it is always advisable to separate your four-legged friend from other pets at least temporarily. This way you minimize the risk of infection.