What Should You Know About Hypersalivation In Cats?

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Saliva is produced constantly and is secreted in the oral cavity from the salivary glands. The production of saliva gets to increase due to the excitation of the salivary nuclei in the brain stem. Ptyalism or excessive production of saliva or hypersalivation in cats is a medical condition that is characterized by the undue flow of saliva. The stimuli, which lead to this over production are touch and taste sensations, which involve the tongue and the mouth. Get to learn more about this feline condition –read on to this article!

Hypersalivation in Cats: What is this feline condition?

The causes of drooling or the excessive production of saliva or hypersalivation in cats are many, thus, when you notice an abrupt change like excessive drooling, getting an appropriate prognosis of the condition is very important. Furthermore, it is also the best to take the cat to the vet so he/she can conduct a proper investigation or examination. This is in order to discover the cause, as well as provide an accurate prognosis and apt treatment.

Moreover, the salivary glands secrete and produce saliva constantly, yet when there is an undue amount, especially when the cat abruptly starts to drool, it might be an indication of a more serious problem. Hypersalivation in cats may be an indication of an injury, infection, inflammatory disorder or a tumor in the cat’s mouth.

Causes of Cat Hypersalivation

Most causes of hypersalivation in cats are actually short-lived and non-threatening. Nonetheless, there are a lot of reasons for the excessive drooling of a cat. Further, although a lot of which are simple, not that serious, there are some that could indicate a serious condition. For everyone’s peace of mind, slip up on the caution side and take the cat to see the vet. The causes of hypersalivation in cats include the following:

  • Wounds due to self-trauma
  • Swelling and pain in the mouth
  • Insufficient oral health
  • Gum disease
  • Oral cancer
  • Heat stroke
  • Rabies
  • Bone stuck on the mouth
  • Reaction to various medications
  • Exposure to various toxic insecticides, pesticides, or toxic plants

The diseases of the mouth, which aren’t so common, yet may cause the condition include:

  • Sialadnitis or the inflammation of the salivary glands due to systemic infection. In this case, the symptoms may include pain, depression, fever, and swollen glands.
  • Salivary gland tumors are rare tumors, which affect the young cats, yet may develop in the cats more than 10 years old.
  • Feline stomatitis is an austere painful inflammation of the upper throat and gum. Moreover, this is due to oral infections, as well as some viruses.
  • Salivary fistula is due to a trauma to the sublingual salivary glands, as a result of a serious injury, just like bite.

Symptoms of Cat Hypersalivation

The excessive drooling or hypersalivation is a significant symptom by itself, and is recurrently associated by some other symptoms. Further, in some instances, it may go along with physical or physical changes like:

  • Approaching but avoiding foods
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Bad breath
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Depression
  • Low/no appetite
  • Fear
  • Excitement

Prognosis of Cat Hypersalivation

The excessive production of saliva or hypersalivation in cats might be a symptom of a much larger, more severe health condition. Therefore, the vet may want to analyze every single detail of the physical condition of the cat, as well as understand the behavioral changes. The vet may want to know as well, the complete medical history of the cat. This includes the following:

  • Possible poison exposure
  • Current medications
  • Vaccination status

The vet may also ask the cat owner to remember all the necessary details regarding the onset of the symptoms of the condition. Furthermore, the vet will then conduct a complete oral examination and go on with the full neurological and physical examination of the cat.

Moreover, examining the blood may let the vet to have a much clearer idea of the overall health of the cat, thus allowing them to pick up the signs of infection or dehydration more quickly. Moreover, the medical tests the vet may conduct include the following:

  • Urine analysis
  • A biochemical profile
  • A complete blood count

In case the vet suspects that the cause is somewhat assocaiated to the immunity, he or she may also conduct biopsy.

Treatment for Cat Hypersalivation

The treatment for excessive production of saliva or hypersalivation in cats is contingent on the cause of the condition. Further, some of the more common causes and their corresponding treatments include:

  • Heat stroke. Reducing the body temperature, providing supportive care, and administering electrolytes
  • Respiratory infections. Antibiotics
  • Tumor. Surgical removal of the tumor
  • Poor oral hygiene. Dental cleaning, antibiotics and pulling out a tooth in case of infection
  • Poisoning. Pumping the stomach, administering activated charcoal and induced vomiting

Varying on the cause, as well as the corresponding treatment, the management and recovery process may differ. In addition, if the cause is serious, you may need to have a regular checkups as the doctor may want to keep on monitoring the urine, blood, internal organs, as well as any details particular to the cause of the condition.

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