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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
Boxer
Eden
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
I have 3 year old boxer and she is not a drooler normally. But today she is drooling like you turned on the water works. She is up to date on all shots and her last dental work was 6 months ago. I have looked in her mouth and I don't see anything in her teeth or cuts. Why would this start so rapidly?
Feb. 12, 2018
0 Recommendations
There are a few different causes for drooling or excessive salivation by dogs which may include poisoning/irritation, salivary gland disorders, dental disorders, oral foreign bodies, nausea among other disorders; a thorough examination is required but it is always useful to try and rinse out the mouth as much as possible in case it is due to irritation from something being licked. Visit your Veterinarian if it continues. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Feb. 12, 2018
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street dog
No name
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Excessive Saliva
There is a street dog which lives infront of my house.From many days he is drooling too much saliva but he is eating and is normal but drooling is excessive.Is there any possibility of disease?
Feb. 7, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. WIthout seeing this dog, I'm not sure what is wrong with him, but he might have dental disease or an oral problem that is causing that drooling. If you are able to take him to a veterinarian and have him examined, they may be able to do something to make him comfortable. If he is eating and drinking and acting normally, Rabies is less likely, but it would be a good idea to avoid being bitten by him.
Feb. 7, 2018
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Rotweiler
Yuma
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
No Drool
Our dog is having difficulty getting up and we noticed that he is actually not drooling. He's a very drooly dog usually. This has us very concerned.What can cause this in dogs?
Jan. 22, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. I'm not sure if you are asking about Yuma having difficulty getting up, or not drooling? His difficulty getting up might be due to aging changes, arthritis, or nerve problems... his lack of drool might be normal for him, or may indicate dehydration or nerve dysfunction. Without seeing him, I'm not sure what might be causing his signs, but it would be a great idea to have him seen by your veterinarian, as they can assess him and let you know more what might be happening and what treatments might be needed. I hope that everything goes well.
Jan. 22, 2018
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Labrador
Rusty
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Mouth Salivation
Salivation
My chocolate lab has been excessively drooling on occasions for over a year now. We haven't been able to determine why exactly, but it happens when he runs around (playing chase with our other dog or fetching), even when he's left outside for a long time, which he could be running around at that time. I took him to the vet last year and got no answers. His drool/saliva is runny, he saturates whatever he's laying on, and even himself trying to get rid of it. It smells a little and seems like his stomach might be upset as he burps and then groans. We've tried giving him probiotic tummy treats, which almost never help, and mint leaves which kind of help. I'm hoping you might have some answers! The vet said they'd need him to stay there for observation, but it doesn't really happen on command, so I don't think that would work.
Thank you for your time!
Jan. 19, 2018
0 Recommendations
There are various causes for an excessive amount of saliva production; in some cases there is actually nothing medically wrong like in cases where a dog is panting after exercise they may produce more saliva than normal. Other causes of an increase in salivation may include oral pain (dental disorders), foreign objects, salivary gland disorders, stress, excitement, poisoning among other causes. A thorough examination is required, but if it occurs during outdoor activities I would say it is just from excitement or panting; but without examining him or trying to replicate the problem I cannot be certain. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Jan. 19, 2018
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Labrador Retriever
Karakiz
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Drooling
My dog has just started drooling today. She hardly ever drools and she was licking her lips and such and now she’s just drooling and it’s turning into foam. Should she see a vet? She’s acting normal, eating, goes to the bathroom fine. And she’s drinking water
Jan. 18, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Since the drooling is a new behavior, and seems to be quite dramatic, it would be a good idea to have her seen by your veterinarian. She may have a problem with her teeth, or her mouth, that needs to be diagnosed and treated. Your veterinarian will be able to examine her and make sure that all is well, or offer treatment if needed.
Jan. 19, 2018
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Ptyalism Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,500
Average Cost
$500
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
