Reasons for Excessive Dog Drooling and Why You Should Be Worried
All dogs slobber to cool down, and some breeds such as Saint Bernards, Bloodhounds, and Mastiffs salivate more than others. This is a normal response to stimulation and helps lubricate the mouth as it breaks down food for digestion. Also, it aids with the prevention of gum disease and tooth decay.
Hyper-salivation is perfectly natural for dogs. However, when too much saliva is produced your dog is unable to swallow. Therefore, it can cause irritation and inflammation in the mouth and lip area. Look at reasons for excessive dog drooling and why you should be worried here…
Saliva contains water, enzymes, electrolytes, and antibacterial compounds that are essential for your dog’s health. Another enzyme that starts the digestion process is Amylase. And mixed with food breaks down food matter.
The glands near the jaw produce the saliva. And ducts allow it to enter into the mouth. The production of saliva is normal. However, excessive production causes a mouth overload where it’s difficult to swallow and runs out of the mouth.
Young dogs can often have a form of excessive saliva production due to a condition known as a portosystemic shunt. As a result, their blood bypasses the liver. Breeds that have a higher rate of this problem include:
Enlargement of the oesophagus is another hereditary condition that results in drooling and affects:
Giant breeds tend to drool excessively, and this is due to their larger jowls, loose mouth skin, and short noses. Therefore, they find it harder to hold saliva in their mouth.
Breeds that suffer this condition include:
You’ll know if your dog’s drooling a lot more than normal. Additionally, you may notice other changes including:
There are a number of reasons that can cause excessive salivation in dogs and these include:
There are so many reasons for excessive salivation. Therefore, your vet will need a thorough history of symptoms and other possible causes to rule out:
Your vet will determine a diagnosis of hypersalivation or ptyalism where the salivary glands are producing abnormal amounts of saliva. Also, psudoptylism when your dog can’t swallow the saliva produced, and your vet will confirm this after your dog has:
You should check salivation that’s accompanied by foaming at the mouth or other serious symptoms immediately. This is because severe allergic reactions or poisoning can be fatal if left unattended. So, after diagnosis your vet will:
When you and your vet have tried everything, and no treatment has worked, you may have to consider dog euthanasia at home as a final option. So, having taken this option, the ongoing support from trained and understanding professionals will reassure you. Also, they will provide you with a gentle at-home procedure for your chronically unwell best friend.