Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

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

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.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My dog threw up a worm. Is it an emergency or can I wait for the vet?

In general, vomiting a worm is not an emergency. Here is a link about dogs and vomiting and it identifies when pets need to be examined right away: https://www.petcoach.co/article/vomiting-in-dogs/ Make sure to have George examined right away if he seems overly lethargic, has pale gums or is exhibiting other signs of illness such as diarrhea or not eating/drinking. George does need to be examined by the veterinarian when you can get him in. If he has one type of worm, he may have others. Additionally, some worms can spread to humans so it is very important to know the parasite status and make sure all pets get appropriate treatment. https://www.petcoach.co/article/can-people-get-worms-from-their-pets/ I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is shaking, coughing, and I found a suspected worm. Is he okay?

That does not look like an intestinal worm. Roundworms look like spaghetti and tapeworms look like pieces of rice. Those are typically the worms you see a dog vomit out or poop out. It also does not look like a whipworm or hookworm. I'm wondering if this is something Scout ate that has upset his stomach, leading to the shaking and coughing. He may have vomited it out. I would keep an eye on him for now. If he vomits, has diarrhea, is lethargic, or has a loss of appetite, take him into a vet immediately to get checked out. I hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog is very sick, can't get up, and has worms. Is it an emergency?

I'm very sorry to hear that! Unfortunately, this problem sounds quite serious. I can't tell what might be wrong without being able to examine him, but if he is in obvious pain and can't get up, he needs to be seen by an emergency vet immediately. He may be injured or very sick, or may have ingested something toxic. Regardless of the underlying cause, these symptoms suggest that he has a serious, life-threatening problem that needs immediate veterinary care. I would recommend taking him to your nearest emergency clinic right away for an exam and treatment - I'm afraid there is nothing at all you can do at home for a problem this severe.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog is scooting with white worms. Does he need emergency vet care?

The worms can be tapeworms and they often look like small pieces of rice. They get these from eating a flea. It can cause itching and irritation around there anus. However an infectedcor impacted anal gland can also cause the same symptoms and can rupture if untreated. I would take him to the vet to have the worms confirmed and get medicine for that. They can also chechnyhebgkabds to make sure antibiotics aren't needed to help. This does not have to be as an emergency thiugh, if he is eating and drinking well you can schedule an appointment for tomorrow

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog coughing, vomiting, and has worms near his anus?

Hi and thank you for your post. The small worms near the anus could be tapeworms (is they are small and look like little rice granules). Coughing when excited could be contributed to kennel cough or a reverse sneeze. Vomiting could be dietary indiscretion related (eating something other than normal dog food) if it happened just a couple times and no vomiting since then. It is a good idea Hendrix see a veterinarian for the worms and the other issues if they persist. Tape worms (if that is what he has) will need to be treated with praziquantel which comes in a tablet form or injectable form (administered by you veterinarian). Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My puppy is throwing up white foam and coughing. Is it an emergency?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cedar is very cute! I think Cedar should be seen by someone today. If he has finally settled down call your Vet first thing and get an appointment. If he is coughing the "vomiting" you are witnessing could be a the end of the cough. Sometimes a dog can cough so hard they trigger their gag reflex and bring up bile or white foam. So if every vomit follows a cough, Cedar may actually be coughing and not vomiting. Causes of coughing are kennel cough, pneumonia, allergies, bronchitis, heart failure. He is 8 months old so I would assume kennel cough is the number one possibility. If he has been boarded lately, around other dogs, at doggy day care or the groomer that will make it more possible. Causes of true vomiting are: dietary indiscretion, foreign body, toxin, viral/bacterial infection, pancreatitis, etc. I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery for Cedar!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog threw up maggot-like worms but seems fine. What's wrong?

Oh no, poor Vegas! Worms that resemble maggots, or grains of rice, are most commonly tapeworm segments. These can be acquired by ingesting either rodents or fleas infected with tapeworms. It would be ideal to take Vegas to her vet for an exam and stool sample analysis to more precisely determine the cause of these worms. However, since she is acting normally and has not had further vomiting, you can consider deworming her with over the counter deworming medication containing praziquantel. Also be sure that she is receiving a high quality flea preventative regularly, such as Nexgard, Bravecto, or K9 Advantix II. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share