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My puppy is throwing up white foam and is lethargic. What's happening?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Maltese | Male | neutered | 1 year and 5 months old | 8.5 lbs

My puppy vomited a white foam and liquid once at night and twice in the morning. His urine and poop is normal. He is quiet and not as active. He does not have fever and his gums and teeth are fine. I made an appointment with his vet and while waiting for him to be visited by his vet; I would like to know what is causing him to vomit and should I be worried?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on September 13th, 2020

There are a lot of potential causes, including bacterial or viral infection, something he ate and may have gotten stuck, pancreatitis, dietary indiscretion, intestinal parasites, etc. I would recommend keeping Mokalu on his normal food or you can do a bland diet of boiled white chicken and cooked white rice. The vet may recommend blood or fecal parasite screening. I don’t think you need to worry now, but watch for other symptoms or lethargy.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 2nd, 2019

    It sounds lime Kobe is sick, and he could have a GI illness. Vomiting isn't normal and I can give you a home remedy for him to see if that helps. Withhold food for 12 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the vomiting continues in the absence of food, he vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away. Best of luck.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 27th, 2017

    Poor Bruno! He could be suffering from a GI illness, may have eaten something rotten, could have a foreign body, intestinal worms, or pancreatitis. You can try a home remedy first to see if that helps before having to take him into the vet. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the vomiting continues in the absence of food, he vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away.

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    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 28th, 2018

    Hi, and thanks for your question. I would suggest to withhold food for the next 8-12 hours and then start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice diarrhoea, more vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

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