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Ptyalism in Dogs
Written By Grace Park
Published: 01/25/2016Updated: 04/05/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Ptyalism?
Almost all dogs drool, especially if they are happy or excited, and even more so if they know they are about to get a treat. Saliva production is a normal response to stimulation. It lubricates the mouth, helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, and begins breaking down food for digestion. However excessive drooling caused by too much saliva in the mouth is not normal and can be a sign of a serious condition. There are a number of different causes for ptylism or excessive saliva production in dogs. Some can be local issues in the mouth or throat, while others are more systemic disorders. Rabies can cause excessive salivation, so it’s important to eliminate that possibility before seeking other treatment.
Salivation or drooling is universal among dogs and is not a sign of ill-health. However excessive salivation or hypersalivation occurs when the salivary glands produce more saliva than the dog is able to swallow. Veterinarians define this as ptyalism. The excess moisture can cause inflammation and irritation around the dog’s mouth and lips, and can be a sign of an underlying problem.
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Symptoms of Ptyalism in Dogs
Problems can often be detected by an increase in the level of salivation or a change in the saliva consistency. Recognizing excessive salivation will depend on knowing what is normal for your dog since some dogs drool more than others, especially among different breeds. Seek treatment if you notice any of the following symptoms in your dog:
- Drooling more than normal
- Drooling with no apparent cause
- Inflammation on the mouth or lips as a result of too much moisture
- Refusal to eat.
- Behavioral changes.
- Saliva has a white foamy consistency.
- Increased salivation is accompanied by sudden vomiting, diarrhea or other symptoms of serious illness.
Types
There are basically two types of situations which create excess saliva.
- Hypersaliosis or hypersalivation means that the salivary glands are producing an abnormal amount of saliva.
- Psudoptylism is when the dog is unable to swallow the saliva produced by the salivary glands. Although this is not actually an overproduction of saliva, it can look very similar to hypersalivation since the result will still be an excessive amount of saliva in the mouth.
Causes of Ptyalism in Dogs
- Irritation from a foreign object - sticks, stones or plastic toys can become lodged in your dog mouth and may cause excessive salivation as well as eventually pain and inflammation.
- Injuries to the mouth - cuts, scrapes or bites inside the mouth can lead to excessive salivation.
- Excessive emotions - dogs normally drool in response to emotional stimuli, but intense or traumatic emotions can increase this natural response.
- Motion sickness - nausea caused by motion sickness can increase saliva production, as can the anxiety of traveling in a car.
- Difficulty swallowing - irritation or blockage of the throat can make it painful or difficult for a dog to swallow which will lead to excessive saliva.
- Inflamed tonsils - these can also make swallowing more difficult.
- Medication - medication administration can cause increased saliva production, as can certain medications.
- Allergic reaction - severe allergic reactions cause increased drooling, among other symptoms.
- Poisoning - different types of poisoning can lead to excessive salivation. As symptoms worsen, the dog will often start to foam at the mouth.
- Infectious diseases - rabies and certain forms of distemper can lead to excessive salivation and foaming at the mouth.
- Seizures - some seizures can cause excessive salivation or foaming at the mouth.
- Tumors - certain types of mouth tumors, including malignant cancer tumors, can cause excessive salivation.
- Mouth defects - congenital defects in mouth conformity can make it difficult to swallow and lead to excess saliva.
- Kidney Failure or Hepatic encephalopathy - both of these systemic failures will cause excessive salivation.
- Disorder of the salivary glands - abscess or inflammation of the salivary glands can sometimes cause excessive salivation.
Diagnosis of Ptyalism in Dogs
It’s important to rule out rabies before attempting any examination, but this is relatively easy if your dog has been vaccinated and isn’t exhibiting any other rabies symptoms. Once this possibility has been ruled out, the veterinarian will perform an oral exam on an office visit. If your dogs has no other signs of ill health, the veterinarian will also check for irritation of the mouth or throat, tumors, inflamed saliva glands and other local causes.
If no local cause is found, or if there are other signs the veterinarian will perform further tests to check for infectious diseases or other systemic problems. Pay attention to when your dog produces excessive saliva, and try to look for patterns or triggering causes. Check for other signs such as lack of appetite, increased thirst, vomiting, or diarrhea. Supporting signs can often be important for an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment of Ptyalism in Dogs
Cleanse your dog’s mouth with an antiseptic solution and keep the skin as dry as possible until you can seek treatment. Salivation accompanied by other serious symptoms or foaming at the mouth should be treated as an emergency since it can be the result of poisoning or severe allergic reaction. Most other types can be treated on an office visit at your earliest convenience.
If there is a foreign object in your dog’s mouth, it can usually be removed in a single appointment. Medication may be prescribed to help heal cuts or scrapes inside the mouth, as well as throat infections that lead to problems swallowing. These are usually easy to treat and clear up quickly.
Inflamed and abscessed salivary glands can also often be treated with medication. Occasionally removal of the gland may be necessary. Tonsillitis and more serious issues like tumors may also require surgery. This will generally be minor surgery, but there is always a certain amount of risk as well as recovery time. Congenital mouth defects will most likely not be modified with surgery unless they create a serious problem.
If the excessive salivation is due to kidney failure or an infectious disease, it will depend on the severity of the condition and the degree to which it has progressed. Advanced conditions may be difficult to treat or dialysis may be required in the case of kidney failure.
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Recovery of Ptyalism in Dogs
Most local causes for excessive salivation can be treated, and your dog will make a full recovery. If the salivation is due to intense emotions, it is likely part of your dog’s personality and will not be treatable. It can be managed however with good hygiene. Salivation due to motion sickness can also be managed by limiting car rides as well as adjusting the dog’s position and opening windows. Medication can be prescribed before long car rides.
Monitor your dog’s mouth closely for foreign objects as well as cuts and scrapes to catch any problems as soon as possible. If poisoning or allergic reaction was the issue, take steps to prevent the situation from recurring. Most other sources of excessive salivation are difficult to prevent, but, with regular monitoring, they can be recognized early and treated.
Ptyalism Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,500
Average Cost
$500
Top
Ptyalism Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Bulloxer
Bocephus (Bo)
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizures
Sneezing
Licking Paws
Clearing Throat
I have an American bull dog and pitbull mix he had what I think was a seizure 2 days ago and today he had been non-stop licking his paws which he never does like he is now then when I come home he sleeps on his own couch and his pillow is soaked in drool. He don't drool allot at all. Before his seizure he started to use his front paws to dig at his nose then he started to cry in pain and began to have a seizure he stopped breathing for a couple seconds I press down on his rib cage and pretty much brought him back. After he gets done licking his paws for the moment he starts to cough or weeze like clear his throat. He is due for his rabies shot in August. I have a picture of the drool marks on his pillow if I can send it some how I will plz help if I don't hear something back from you before Monday he will be going to the vet thankyou, sincerely -
Bocephus (Bo) & Jacob Powers
jaypowers1228@gmail.com
April 1, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
I'm sorry that Bo is having these problems. Without being able to examine him, assess his neurologic status, and look in his mouth, I'm not sure that I can provide much insight into what might be going on with him - I do think a visit to your veterinarian is a good idea, as you have mentioned. They will be able to assess his general health and try to determine what might be happening with these various problems that he is having. If he continues to seizure or has any more episodes like the one you describe where he stopped breathing, it may be a good idea to have him seen on emergency today. I hope that he is okay.
April 1, 2018
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American bully
Naipol
2 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Ptyalism
My puppy(american bully) is 2.5 month.When he eating he has saliva too much and very sticky.He look difficulty swallow.I met the Vet but still dont know the cause.sometimes he was breathless but the lung is good by the x-rays.
anything else can the cause of very sticky?
Thnaks.
March 16, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without examining Naipol or knowing more about his situation, I have a hard time commenting on what might be causing him to have thick saliva, whether it is normal for him, or whether he has a problem. Since you have recently seen your veteirnarian, it would be bessts to follow up with them, and ask what might be the problem, or what treatment might be necessary.
March 16, 2018
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Shih Tzu
Daisey
9 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Excessive Drool,Lethargic, Vomiting
A month and a half ago our family adopted a Shih Tzu from a local rescue. They said she was 6-7 yrs old, tracing back previous vet records she is more likely 9-10. When we got her, she had some skin redness and her eyes were also a bit red. Rescue suggested it was due to improper hygiene as the previous owner was elderly and unable to care for her. They gave her a bath, microchipped her and gave her vaccinations. After two days she went downhill. She was lethargic and would not eat or drink and was drooling and vomiting. Brought her to our vet after extensive testing and time spent at the veterinary hospital we still have no diagnosis or real treatment plan. She was x-rayed, scoped and had multiple rounds of bloodwork done. Obstruction and cancer were ruled out. Her WBC count was elevated So she was started on antibiotics, an antiemetic, Pepcid, pain meds and an anti-inflammatory. She improved. For a week or two we had an energetic little dog running around the house, she was eating well, put on weight even started stealing food from our other dog. She then started to decline again and her WBC count was slightly elevated but still WNL. Vet decided to go with a longer duration antibiotic she rallied again. She is still on antibiotics but symptoms are returning.
Presently she is eating though appetite decreased. She is eating canned food mixed with water. Did find her today eating some dry food out of our other dog’s bowl.
Drooling and has vomited three times today. Vomit is frothy white and yellow with little to no food in it. Bowel and bladder functions normal
Lethargic, asleep most of the day. Periodically chatters her teeth and stiffens her neck and retracts her head.
Slight enlargement of submandibular glands, salivary?
Still wagging her tail when you say her name and wants to be close to family members.
We don’t know what to do for her. Our vet is scratching his head and says he had no idea what the problem is. If she hadn’t come around and appeared perfectly healthy for around two weeks I would assume she was not going to make it. We are thousands of dollars into trying to help her. Not worried about the financials but we don’t know what is wrong with her. We want to give her a chance if she does have one. Any advice is desperately appreciated.
Feb. 28, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Unfortunately, without being able to examine Daisey, or know more about her lab work, I have a hard time commenting on what might be going on, though I can see that you really do want to help her. It might be best at this point to get a referral to a specialist, as your veterinarian seems not sure on the next step, or what might be going on. Sometimes a specialist is able to see minute things that the rest of us do not. I hope that she is okay, and she is lucky to have you.
Feb. 28, 2018
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Tibetan Terrier
Abbie
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Excessive Drooling, E
Excessive Drooling, Excesive Hunger
Change In Personality, Acting Needy
My eight year old Tibetan Terrier has been drooling excessively for two days. She has also experienced excessive hunger and has been very needy, following everyone around, looking somewhat guilty.
Feb. 27, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. It would probably be best to have Abbie examined by a veterinarian. She may have an oral or dental problem, or may have a systemic disease. Your veterinarian will be able to give her a good exam, check her mouth, and recommend any lab work that might be necessary. I hope that all goes well for her!
Feb. 27, 2018
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Pit bull
Cheyenne
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Drooling
Behavior Changes
I am unsure if I should bring my dog into the vet. She is 12 years old (our best guess) and recently started drooling. Not like nasty messy lots of drool but she's never drooled before. She will for treats but lately there is no cause for it. My other dog also recently developed an obsession for licking and licking and licking and licking- you get the point- her in the face. The licking started way before the drooling. The otherf dig is maybe 9 and has never licked her like this before.
Feb. 23, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Cheyenne should be seen by her veterinarian, yes. She may have dental disease or another abnormality in her mouth that is causing the drooling, as well as the increased interest by your other dog. Your veterinarian will be able to assess her, look at her mouth, and recommend any testing or treatment that might be necessary.
Feb. 23, 2018
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Ptyalism Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,500
Average Cost
$500
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