Canine Drooling is when dogs produce excessive saliva inside their mouths. Saliva thick liquid that is composed of 98% water as well as electrolytes, enzymes, and anti-bacterial compounds. There are glands near the dog’s mouth that produce this liquid which is then emptied into a dog’s mouth through ducts. Saliva has many other uses, such as aiding the dog’s digestion. It also lubricates your dog’s mouth and improves his sense of taste. A moist mouth is also more comfortable for dogs. Saliva also boosts dental health in dogs and protects dogs’ from gums’ diseases. It clears food particles from the teeth and also prevents cavities. Dogs’ saliva also helps decrease their bad breath and kills germs in their mouth. So Saliva production is critical in dogs. But when saliva is produced in excess, it causes excessive drooling, which can be problematic.
Let’s look at the causes of excessive drooling and how to deal with canine drooling.
Oral hygiene can be one reason. Tartar buildup on dogs’ teeth and gums can cause brown teeth, swollen gums, and increased drooling. You should brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis or give your dog chew toys designed to clean their teeth. Edible dental chews are also a good option and a great snack for your pooch to enjoy. Taking care of your dog’s mouth is extremely useful in preventing excessive drooling.
Excessive drooling or hypersalivation can also be due to psychological conditions in dogs, such as fear, anxiousness, and nervousness. For example, if your dog is drooling a lot while in the car, it may be anxious about car rides. Dogs can sometimes become over-dependent and go through separation anxiety if their owner is absent for too long. This can also lead to increased drooling. You should consult your vet about how to curb canine anxiety. There can be several strategies and techniques you can apply. For example, to curb separation anxiety, try giving your dog a treat every time you or all members of the house leave. Reserve that treat only for when everyone is leaving. Soon the dog will start linking the treat to family members leaving and will look forward to your departure in order to get the treat.
This could be another major reason for excessive drooling. If your dog has inflamed or abscessed salivary glands, it will need to visit the veterinary doctor immediately. A vet can prescribe anti-inflammatories and antibiotics that can cure this issue. At times tonsillitis or a tumor in the mouth can also increase drooling. If such is the case, the vet will need to surgically remove the growth. This surgery is mostly minor, and dogs can recover easily.
At times, if a dog suffers from a heat stroke, it can also lead to increased drooling. Heat strokes are usually common in short-nosed dog breeds such as Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers. This is because these breeds don’t pant as well as other dog breeds and can get overheated easily. But any dog that is stuck in the sun at length and has no access to hot water can get overheated. To avoid your dog getting overheated, make sure to keep the pooch in a shady area where it has access to plenty of water. On very hot days, keep them indoors and limit exercise.
Motion sickness can also get dogs to become anxious and start drooling. If you are taking your dog in the car, try to make your pup as comfortable as possible. Place your dog on the back seat and attach them to a car harness or pet seatbelt before you start driving. Back out your car from the driveway and drive around the block at a slow speed. Get your dog used to the motion of the vehicle by repeating this a few times. You can try using Ginger pills that are sold at some health food stores to ease carsickness. Also, bring this issue up with your veterinary doctor and discuss other remedies.
If hypersalivation is the cause of drooling, your dog might also experience a decreased appetite. If the drooling is caused by nausea, the drooling is temporary and will cease once your dog starts feeling better. If the dog’s drooling is due to a foreign growth in its mouth or a mouth injury, excessive drool will not stop until the condition is rectified. If your dog is drooling too much because of a dental issue, your dog’s teeth will need to be cleaned, and gums will need to heal for the drooling to stop.
If you complain of your dog’s excessive drooling to your veterinarian, the doctor will conduct a complete oral examination of your dog’s mouth. A survey of the mouth usually points out the problem. However, if there is nothing wrong with your dog’s mouth, the doctor may recommend diagnostic tests, such as blood tests.
by Maria A Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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