Causes of Ptyalism in Dogs

Excessive drool, also known as ptyalism or hypersalivation, is an increased flow of saliva. If you have a dog with loose, pendulous lips, such as a mastiff, excessive drool is a normal sign. This excessive drool occurs because of facial structure and not because of increased saliva.

Ptyalism can be seen as a consequence of neurologic (peripheral or central), metabolic, infectious, or immune-mediated diseases, or a drug reaction.

The obvious clinical sign is drooling. It can vary from mild to severe, intermittent, or permanent. In some dogs with longer or curly hair around the face, all that is found on physical examination is a wet mouth.

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. See your vet immediately.

Major Reasons for Ptyalism in Dogs

Issues with the mouth

Obviously, it’s not uncommon for drooling issues to start with the mouth. They may also have an injury inside the mouth, causing extra inflammation. Swollen tonsils or problems with their salivary glands are also common issues that can cause excessive drooling.

Heat

When temperatures rise, a fur-covered pup doesn’t have the same options for cooling off as his pet parents. While dogs can sweat, they can’t sweat sufficiently enough to lower their body temperature. To shed excess heat, his most readily-available method is open-mouthed panting, which pulls cooler air into his body. This helps lower his temperature from the inside out. Saliva evaporates and helps speed the cooling process, so the more saliva, the faster and better that cooling process should work.

Hunger and Excitement

There are some harmless causes of occasional drooling in dogs, such as hunger and even excitement. Some breeds drool more than others because of the formation of their lips. The lips tend to droop and don’t hold their saliva inside the mouth effectively. However, even in dogs who usually drool a lot, you should always investigate an increase in drooling.

Foriegn Object in the Mouth

Many times, some foreign object stuck in the teeth, gums or palate of the animal may be causing drooling in the animal. If this condition occurs, try to remove the foreign body safely; If the object cannot be easily removed, it is convenient to take the pet to the veterinarian

Stomach Issues

Stomach or digestive issues are another cause of increased drooling in dogs. A simple car trip may trigger motion sickness that can upset the stomach, causing drool that may even appear foamlike. Possible serious conditions include things like hiatal hernias, tumors in the esophagus, and gastric ulcers. If your dog tends to eat things he shouldn’t, a foreign object may have become lodged in his digestive system, resulting in excessive saliva production and drooling.

Ingested Toxic Substances

In the most severe cases, excess salivation can be caused by the intake of products harmful to the pet or direct contact with toxic substances. Poisoning or poisoning can be lethal to the animal so you should take it urgently to the veterinarian to take the necessary measures.

Nausea

Dogs can experience nausea for many reasons. Examples include nausea due to motion sickness, anxiety, tummy issues, vestibular syndrome (affecting their balance), and kidney or liver disease.

If the drooling is caused by nausea, they may also have a reduced or absent appetite. You may notice drooling and vomiting. It may appear hungry but then turn its nose up at food at the last minute. You may also see them restless or pacing more than normal.