Does your boxer have Ptyalism or Excessive Drooling?


Bella posted by Joann on www.facebook.com/mydailyboxer
Bella posted by Joann on www.facebook.com/mydailyboxer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ptyalism is also known as excessive production of saliva, hypersalvation, or excessive drooling.

Posted by Dawn on www.facebook.com/mydailyboxer
Posted by Dawn on www.facebook.com/mydailyboxer

I don’t mean the way a boxer drools when you are feeding them, giving them a treat, when it is extremely hot out, or when they are anxious about something.  I mean drool as it drips and coats your floors.  From time to time my boxer excessively drools and it goes away on its own within 24 hours.  Typically I examine his mouth for any human hair between the teeth, lesions, masses, or blood.  Then I brush his teeth several times that day.  I note any antecedents or things that happened before I noticed the drooling (such as, what he was doing prior, did he swim or was he outside, inside, etc.).  For me it usually it subsides within a day (24 hours). If not, I would bring him to the veterinarian for a full examination.  Below are possible signs, causes, diagnosis, and treatments.

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POSSIBLE SIGNS

  • Eating behavioral changes (such as anorexia, chewing on one side, unusual position while eating, regurgitation, vomiting)
  • Pawing at face or muzzle
  • Neurological (seizures)
  • Periodontal disease
  • Stomatitis (ulceration or inflammation)
  • Mass in oral cavity
  • Lesions of tongue or oropharynx
  • Blood in saliva
  • Dysphasia
  • Cranial nerve defects
  • Salivary gland problems

POSSIBLE CAUSES

  • Oral and Pharyngeal Diseases (Foreign body, Neoplasm, Gingivitis, Neurological or functional disorder of the pharynx)
  • Neurological Disorders (Rabies, Seizures, Facial Nerve Palsy)
  • Drugs and Toxins (household cleaning products or toxic plants, animal venom from widow spiders or north American scorpions, drugs or insecticides)

DIAGNOSIS and TREATMENT

  • Watch your dog and note any changes (i.e., dehydration, seizures, etc.)
  • Visit your veterinarian to have the dog completely examined
  • Must discover the underlying cause and treat that problem
  • Laboratory tests (CBC, urinalysis, radiography of oral cavity, biopsy of lesions or masses)

Please share your drooling pictures or drooling stories at [email protected] and go back to www.facebook.com/mydailyboxer and ‘like’ or ‘share’ this article if you felt it was or will be useful information.

drool couch -Jordan

Reference:  Tilley, Larry P.; Smith Jr., Francis W.K. -The 5 Minute Veterinary Consult, Ptyalism, 1997; 136-137