Labrador Retriever Foams at Mouth

This e-mail was sent in by Chuck (USA).

Reader's E-mail - Chuck writes:

Thanks for your help in advance.

We have a 2yr old black lab (Tori) who actually foams at the mouth alot when we have her out walking. Is this normal?

Chuck

All About Labradors Answer:

Hi Chuck,

There are many different reasons that dogs foam at the mouth. Automatically people will assume rabies, distemper or a symptom of a seizure. I'm assuming Tori has all her vaccinations and hasn't been bitten. I'm also assuming that this only occurs when you take her for walks.

In your case with Tori it could be just a case of excitability with her going for walks. I have also talked to a friend of mine who trains dogs and she said it could be a sign of nervousness/anxiety. Does she enjoy going for her walks?

There is a possibility that she could have some kind of foreign object stuck in her mouth/teeth/gums. Take your finger and run it around her gum line and check the roof of her mouth. Remember though that this would cause a foaming at other times, not just walks.

If Tori is in good health, you notice no other range of behaviors (restless, vicious, withdrawn, etc), and she only foams when walking, I don't think you have to worry.

If she is foaming at other times, she doesn't have her shots, you notice changes in her, and/or it gets worse, I would immediately take her to your veterinarian to her her checked.

Hope this helps, and if you have any further question don't hesitate to write.

Fay

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