Some dogs can’t help it—they’re droolers. Heavy jowls make Newfoundlands and Saint Bernards the most common offenders. However, any breed of dog or cat may dribble if they’re carsick, excited, or nervous.
Although inelegant, this type of drooling is temporary and no cause for alarm. But if the waterworks continue or your pet exhibits other symptoms, you should investigate the problem.
Causes
Any irritation to the mouth, including the gums, palate, teeth, and tongue, can cause excessive salivation. Mouth ulcers can occur with kidney failure, electrical cord burns, ingestion of caustic chemicals, and bacterial or viral infections (especially feline upper respiratory infection, feline leukemia, and feline immunodeficiency virus infection).
Dental disease, including loose or abscessed teeth, and tumors in the oral cavity can cause excessive salivation and bad breath. Ingestion of certain insecticides causes increased drooling, urination, and defecation, as well as pupil constriction and watery eyes. Sometimes pets can’t swallow correctly, causing saliva to spill out of their mouths.
Other causes of drooling include:
• contact with irritating plants (such as stinging nettles or foxtails)
• contact with poisonous animals (such as spiders, toads, and scorpions)
• foreign objects wedged in teeth (such as bones or sticks)
• nausea
• heat stroke
• nerve damage
• bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
• congenital liver disease
• a dilated esophagus
• seizures
• rabies
What you can do at home
If your pet is obviously stressed, do what you can to calm him. Excitement-related drooling stops quickly once the stress dissipates.
If your pooch is a slobbering Saint Bernard, keep a small towel handy to dab the drool! You also may want to coat your pet’s lips with petroleum jelly to protect them from the wetness.
Unless you suspect rabies, look inside your pet’s mouth for evidence of infected teeth and gums, ulcers, or a foreign object.
When to call the veterinarian
Call your veterinarian if your pet isn’t stressed and the drooling persists, or if your pet acts unusual or exhibits other symptoms. If you suspect bloat, heat stroke, or poisoning, go to the veterinary hospital immediately—your pet’s life may be in danger.
What your veterinarian will do
The veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination, paying close attention to the mouth and throat. Dental disease requires a professional cleaning and polishing and possibly tooth extraction. Your veterinarian will remove any tumors and send them to a lab for evaluation. Mouth ulcers may be left to heal on their own, but if the doctor suspects infection or kidney failure, your pet may need laboratory tests and treatment.
Blood tests, X-rays, or ultrasound can help diagnose less common causes of drooling. If your veterinarian suspects any of the life-threatening disorders listed above, he or she will initiate treatment immediately.
In many cases, drooling is nothing more than a wet sticky nuisance—a small price to pay for your pet’s unconditional love.
