Drooling in dogs, contrary to a lot of misconception, is not normal in all dogs. Although it is considered normal in large breeds of dogs due to the configuration of their lips and mouth, even in these breeds if it becomes persistent, it is a real warning sign. If the drooling is causing any type of abnormal swelling, any type of foul odor, or lasts for several hours without stopping, it is well past being normal.
If the drooling causes your dog to vomit or suddenly develops into difficulty in breathing, it is now considered an emergency and could be the first signs that something is very wrong.
HEPATIC
Drooling is also referred to by another name, hyper-salivation, but if starts to become excessive, it is than classified as pytalism. Dogs will drool for various reasons including being stimulated by the smell of food, excitement or playing with their owner, or if they are in a hot and humid environment. Some dogs may even droll when they become angry and protective of their family. But when the drooling reaches the pytalism stage, it is almost always the sign of an injury that your dog has suffered, or worse yet, an illness that has developed.
Causes:
Drooling in dogs has several potential causes and they can range from moderate threats to very serious and potentially life threatening treats. Other than very large breeds that drool as the result of the configuration of their mouth and lips, it is something that should never be ignored. In fact, ignoring it simply because it is considered to be normal can place your dog's life in jeopardy. Even in the largest of breeds, if it becomes excessive, it should not be ignored.
The first potential causes of drooling will be associated with your dog's mouth, and leading this list is a disease referred to as Stomatitis, which is an inflammatory disease of your dog's oral mucus membranes. This is a very serious condition that can result in severe oral infection in your dog and can cause mouth pain, behavioral changes, as well as a very rough hair coat.
The next potential mouth disease that can cause drooling is gingivitis, which is an inflammation of your dog's gums. Other dental and mouth potential causes include mouth or tongue erosions, ulcers, tumors, or some type of an esophageal foreign body. However, it may also be the result of an injury that dog has incurred, especially if the injury is to the oral cavity or their tongue.
Drooling in dogs may also be caused by nausea or pain that is associated with some form of gastrointestinal disease, as well as separation anxiety. It may also be the result of hyperthermia, better known as heat stroke, as well as a salivary gland disease. The salivary glands in your dog produce as well as secrete saliva that helps to lubricate and improve the solubility of their food and are essential components of their digestive process. If your dog's salivary glands are the result of the drooling, the real underlying cause could very easily be cancer.
However, the list is still not finished, as it may also be the result of your dog biting or ingesting certain types of toads. Although toads that are dangerous usually put out an odor that your dog is very sensitive to, they still may bite one and swallow parts of a toad. Drooling in dogs may also be caused by a kidney or a liver disease, especially hepatic encephalopathy.
Hepatic encephalopathy, also known as HE, is a very degenerative disease that affects your dog's brain. It is caused by severe hepatic insufficiency as the result of advanced liver disease, and your dog's neurological functions are severely affected. Drooling is one of the first symptoms to surface with this killer.
Facial nerve paralysis as well as certain types of epilepsy will also cause your dog to drool, as well as something extremely sinister; rabies. Rabies is not anywhere near as common as it once was, but it can and does still affect dogs, and drooling is also one of the first signs with this dreaded disease.
Symptoms:
Drooling in dogs, if it is the result of an underlying and serious cause will show several symptoms other than just the drooling. The first symptom to surface is usually an abnormal swelling or some type of a mass that suddenly develops on your dog's lips. However, if your dog does start to drool excessively, you should always check their mouth as soon as possible. This swelling or mass development may also develop in their mouth as well as their lips.
The next symptom you will not see, you will smell it; a foul odor coming from their mouth. No one knows or understands the habits of your dog better than you do, and if they develop a foul odor at the same time as the drooling, it has now become serious. If the drooling in your dog lasts for more than several hours and they also start to experience a difficult time in swallowing when they eat or drink, this is also a real warning sign that something is very wrong with your dog. However, if they start to vomit, become weak, and suddenly have a difficult time in breathing, it has now moved into the emergency stage.
Treatments:
Treatments for drooling in dogs will all center on the actual underlying cause. If the drooling is the result of a dental problem, your veterinarian will usually do a complete dental cleaning in your dog. If the cause is the result of severe dental disease or oral masses, surgery will have to be done. If a foreign body has entered into your dog mouth or throat, it will also have to be removed by your veterinarian.
In some cases you may be able to reach it yourself, but in the vast majority of cases, you cannot. If it is deep in your dog's throat, they are usually sedated by your veterinarian while they remove the object. If the actual cause of the drooling is anything other than these causes, your dog will have to be thoroughly tested by your veterinarian so they can identify the actual cause and then treat it according.
Summary:
Drooling in dogs is normal in large breeds and occasional drooling may occur in all dogs at some point in their life. However, excessive drooling is not normal in any dog at any time. If your dog does start to drool excessively, watch very closely for any of the symptoms that may be associated with it. If you do see any of the symptoms, do not ignore them, as they are anything but normal.
Drooling in Dogs HEPATIC
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