Drooling.... - Page 1

Hi.  Just a quick question regarding sudden onset of drooling and how long to wait before having it checked out.  (We're at the vet's office constantly with ear infections, and conjunctivitis most recently, so I'd like to avoid another visit if possible.  If not, I'll be there first thing in the am.)

I noticed a puddle of drool this afternoon and have seen her drooling from one side of her mouth the rest of the day.  The drool is clear saliva, not blood-tinged or mucousy.  She's also licking her lips a little more than usual.  I've looked at her teeth and gums (she had a cleaning in Nov, so nothing like gum disease), and jowls and don't see anything unusual.  She's been inside with me most of the day and I don't have anything new that she could have gotten into.  It's cool here today, so I don't think she's overheated and we were just outside playing frisbee and she's acting normal, other than the drooling.  She was playing tug with the GSD earlier and I thought there might have been an injury, but for as much as she'll let me look, everything looks OK/normal.

How long can I keep an eye on it before having it checked out if it doesn't stop?  Is it something that warrants a trip to the emergency vet or can it wait?

Thanks.

I would take her in,
are you sure she didnt over heat? i have had a couple dogs that over heat  and thats how it started. just constant drool, some didnt make it some were just mild.

It is not in the least bit normal for a dog to suddenly develop such intense drooling --the normal, involuntary reaction is for the dog to swallow the saliva. CAN she swallow normally? If the dog isn't swallowing, I immediately start thinking: throat obstruction? Nausea? Pre-bloat behavior?  It needs to be thoroughly checked out ASAP. If you can't have her seen until tomorrow, I would at least do a manual check, sweeping with your fingers to see if there's anything lodged at the back of the mouth or any evidence of swollen tissue of the soft palate.  If you confirm that she can swallow normally, then I'd be on bloat-watch...if you have or can get Phazyme or Gas-X, consider giving the dog a dose of that [the generic for these would be simethicone--make sure there isn't any xylitol added as a sweetener].

 .

What breed?

AUBS47 - thanks for the reply.  I'm pretty sure she didn't overheat, we didn't play for nearly as long as she normally would (because I was freezing and called it quits).  I was finally able to get ahold of my vet, who said she could be nauseated - said maybe she ate a bug or something that upset her stomach.  She said to withhold food for tonight and see how she is in the morning and if the salivating hasn't subsided by morning, then bring her in.  She seems to be OK, other than following me around trying to remind me that she hasn't eaten yet .  I'll keep an eye on her through the night, though.  It's just an unusual occurrence for her.

Thanks again.

Hexe and Blitzen - thanks for responding.  She's a 7yo lab.  She's had no previous occurrences of bloating, but I do tend to keep an eye out for s/s of it.  She seems to be swallowing OK, and I just did another sweep of her mouth.  I don't see or feel any obstructions.  She doesn't seem to be uncomfortable at all....she's just looking a little confused at my concern.  I'll keep the gas-x handy just in case - I've never had to use it, is it recommended to give prophylactically? 

Anything else I should be watching for?  I appreciate the help.

I'm thinking a bad tooth, not always obvious. Good luck.

Thanks Blitzen - I'd rather a tooth problem than bloat.

She still seems to be OK and showing no other s/s of discomfort.  As a precaution - what is the dosage for simethicone?  I have the 125 mg softgels and chewables - is one preferable to the other?  She weighs 65-70 lbs.

Thanks.

 We're at the vet's office constantly with ear infections, and conjunctivitis most recently, so I'd like to avoid another visit if possible.

I'm wondering if this is part of a sinus infection that just wont go away? Bacterial or fungal, either can cause ear and eye infections, and post nasal drip can cause a sore throat which could cause reluctance to swallow.

What do you feed your dog?