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My dog coughed up pink foamy stuff and worms. Is this an emergency?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | West Highland White Terrier | Male | neutered | 8 years and 10 months old | 17 lbs

one of our Westies, we have 3, coughed up pink froth with two thin round worms. Can you tell us what is going on?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on November 25th, 2016

Poor Angus! How alarming for all of you, I'm sure! Types of worms that can occasionally be coughed up from the lungs would include roundworms, heartworms, and lungworms. Some of these problems are quite serious, but others are just "gross" to look at and fairly simple to treat. So it's hard to say how severe the problem is without more information. This is definitely something that needs to be checked out by a vet, but whether or not it's an emergency depends on how he is acting otherwise. If he seems normal now (no difficulty breathing, alert and active, etc.), then it should be okay to wait and have him examined by your regular vet on Monday morning as long as nothing changes. If he's still coughing quite a bit, or if he's acting weak or lethargic or having any trouble breathing, then I would recommend taking him to an emergency vet tonight. The vet may take chest x-rays and do a fecal exam if needed to help determine what's wrong. If you can, you should also save the worms and take them with you to show the vet.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    He is suffering from worm infestation, the question is which ones, it could be intestinal worms, heartworms or lungworms. The first option is the most common and the least harmful. I recommend taking Angus to the vet ASAP in order to get it treated.

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