Excessive Drooling (Ptyalism) in Dogs
Key takeaways
Ptyalism is the term for excessive drooling.
- All dogs drool from time to time under normal circumstances, but increased salivation is an indicator for a variety of medical problems
- Causes of ptyalism include excessive production of saliva due to an irritant, nausea, or neurologic malfunction; or normal production with a problem to outflow, like an esophageal obstruction
- Common associated conditions include dental disease, toxicosis, and pancreatitis, all of which require urgent medical attention
- Diagnosis of the underlying cause involves a physical exam, sedated oral exam, diagnostic imaging, blood work, endoscopy, and/or biopsy
- Treatment varies widely depending on the underlying cause, and can range from no treatment required to surgery
- Prognosis also varies depending on the underlying condition
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A closer look: Excessive Drooling (Ptyalism) in Dogs
Ptyalism is a symptom of many underlying conditions, some of which are life-threatening emergencies. Excessive drooling accompanied by behavioral changes, vomiting, inability to swallow, difficulty breathing, abdominal distention, or an unequal pupil size requires immediate veterinary care. Excessive drooling with no other symptoms is unlikely to be an emergency, but still requires prompt veterinary assessment to rule out serious underlying disease.
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Possible causes
There are two basic physiological causes of ptyalism: excessive production of saliva, or interference with the normal swallowing of saliva. Excessive saliva production commonly results from injuries and irritants, but also occurs with impaired neurological function. Difficulty swallowing occurs as a result of a variety of oral, esophageal, and neurologic disorders.
Underlying conditions include:
Tumors of the mouth or esophagus can also result in difficulty swallowing.
Risk factors
Ptyalism varies in severity. It may be seen intermittently, consistently, or as a single occurrence, with or without other symptoms.
Excessive salivation in response to an irritant is often intense but brief. Since excessive salivation occurs as the body’s natural response to an irritant, it is often self-limiting and goes away once the irritant is no longer present.
Repeated episodes of excessive drooling or a consistent increase in saliva production warrant veterinary assessment, even if there are no other symptoms. These situations are more indicative of a chronic problem, such as a neurologic disorder, stuck object, or tumor.
Testing and diagnosis
The underlying causes for ptyalism are investigated through:
- Physical examination
- Sedated examination of the mouth or throat
- Blood work
- Diagnostic imaging
- Endoscopy
- Biopsy
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, and ranges from symptomatic care to surgical intervention to remove tumors or stuck objects.
Similar symptoms
Occasionally, copious drooling that is within normal parameters for the dog in question may be mistaken for excessive salivation.
