Vomiting can mean many different things for pets. Sometimes they just ate too fast. Sometimes they ate something they didn’t agree with the stomach. Other times it could be a sign of a bigger health issue. How can you tell when to worry over some vomit? And what happens if my pet is throwing up yellow foam? 

What Yellow Foam Means

Yellow, foamy vomit should definitely signal your concern, but unless your pet’s appearance and behavior are normal, then it may be okay to wait and see. Yellow bile is a digestive fluid that helps to break down fats. Produced in the liver, yellow bile is stored in the gall bladder before it’s released in the small intestine. 

When a pet throws up yellow bile, it may be explained by an empty stomach. When mixed with stomach acid and mucus, yellow, foamy bile may be seen if there’s been too much time between meals. Also known as Bilious Vomiting Syndrome (BVS), it is commonly seen right before breakfast in many pets. 

More Than That

Vomiting bile can be related to stomach or digestive tract irritation or linked to more serious health conditions, including:

• Gastroenteritis. When the stomach lining and intestines flare up, it often causes vomiting and diarrhea. 
• Pancreatitis. Triggered by greasy or high-fat food scraps, or certain infections, this condition can cause pain, dehydration, and vomiting. This indicates the need for emergency care. 
• A foreign body that blocks food and bile from moving through the digestive tract can lead to vomiting. If your pet appears lethargic, bloated, and consistently vomits bile, it’s time to seek help. 
• Allergies to things like meat, wheat, dairy, and corn can trigger vomiting.
• Exposure to toxins, such as chocolate or medication, can cause a pet to display a range of symptoms, including vomiting. It is essential to find help for a pet after they’ve eaten something harmful.
• Chronic health conditions, like liver disease or kidney disease, can result in vomiting bile. 

If your pet has blood in their vomit, they seem overly tired/disinterested, refuse food/water, and show signs of pain in the belly, please call the team at Caring Paws Animal Hospital immediately at (813) 723‑7297. A physical exam, blood work, and diagnostic imaging will help us understand why a pet is throwing up bile and lead us to create a treatment plan.