Although drooling is a natural act of dogs, not all dogs drool normally. People that love dogs certainly would not love drool. Unlike owners of normally drooling dogs, an owner of a pet that drools excessively would always need to have towels ready to clean the slobber from the dogs mouth.
The glands inside the dogs mouth produce the enzyme-rich saliva necessary to facilitate the chewing and digestion of food. Yummy food generally makes dogs drool. On the other hand, St. Bernard, Boxers and other breeds with loose skin folds in the mouth are known to be droolers because the saliva is contained in the mouth. In spite of being heavy droolers, these dogs are still the affectionate and loyal companions of man. Dont be too concerned if your dog drools excessively as a bandana used as a bib would make the dogs fur slobber-free.
An owner of a normally drooling dog that has suddenly developed an excessively dripping mouth should be concerned with the change as it can result to dehydration. Moreover the dogs hyper salivation can be a symptom of an underlying disease. It can also be a manifestation of a foreign object or a health issue inside the mouth that stimulates the excessive secretion of the salivary gland. It is necessary for a dog owner to know the causes and effects of the dogs excessive drooling. A dog that has an abnormal drooling act would be lethargic and would have breathing difficulties. Headshaking and incessant mouth pawing should clue an owner that all is not well with the pet.
There are a number of reasons why a dog would drool excessively. A sliver of wood, a bone fragment, a piece of string that is stuck between the teeth would stimulate the secretion of the salivary gland. These foreign objects inside the dogs mouth must be removed. However, you have to be cautious as the removal of the foreign object can cause the dog more harm.
Excessive salivation can also be due to gum and dental problems. The dog may have an abscessed tooth, an infected gum or a mouth tumor. A dog with these gum and dental concerns would be in pain, have eating difficulties and have a distinctly foul breath.
A non-life threatening cause of drooling is motion sickness. However, rabies, bloat, heat stroke, poisoning, liver diseases and some other underlying health issues that cause a dog to salivate excessively are potentially life threatening issues. Urgent medical attention is necessary for these serious health concerns to safeguard the life of the pet.
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