[Rpkelly]

I adopted a beautiful 4 (or so) year old, male basset about a month and a half ago. Three times in the past 2 weeks he has had a phase of heavy, water-like drool dripping from his jowels. It is very, very runny and lacking of the normal tar-like consistency of normal Bassett drool I know it is not normal, and I have to follow him around the house all night with a towel. I can't seem to narrow down any isolated event/food that may be causing it. He isn't uncompfortable and in pain, he just licks his lips a lot and is restless and won't settle down to sleep at night. When he wakes up in the morning, it is gone. I guess he just needs to sleep it off... but it is difficult while he is in the process of soaking everything in the house. Has anyone heard of this or had any experience with it? Could it be allergies, or just a "thing" he does? Help!

 

[Betsy Iole]

Welcome! Does he do this after his evening meal? Does he show any other signs or symptoms that would be worrisome for bloat? Here is a list of links, from BHCA's website, for more information on bloat.

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Bloat) (Canine Inherited Disorders Database)
http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/GI%20dis...on-volvulus.htm

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Dr. Debra Primovic, PetPlace.com)
http://www.petplace.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=173

Purdue University's Epidemiology Page on Canine Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm

Dog Owner's Guide: Bloat
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/bloat.html  

Bloat in Dogs (contains a long list of links)
http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm

And here's a link to a recent discussion of excessive drooling.
increased drool

 

[Rpkelly]

Thanks for your information. I had read about bloat, and he isn't showing any of the other symptoms. It has been happening in the evenings, but tonight he ate after it started. It sounds like the other thread was about the same sort of thing. He does has some beat up teeth (the poor thing was eating rocks on the side of the road when they picked him up) but the rescue organization put him through thorough vet exams and had him for more than a month before I got him and his foster mom said she never experienced the excess drool. I suppose I will keep an eye on it and schedule a vet appointment in the next couple weeks. Right now, he is doing what he does best... sleeping it off!

 

[Lilibetty71]

I was just wondering if anyone knew if they drooled like that when anxious or upset? Like a change in his home or something..Betsy, you seem to have all the good info what do you think?

 

[Betsy Iole]

Based on personal observations, I haven't really noticed excessive drooling as a sign of anxiety. Lip licking, yawning, scratching, and sniffing can all be related to anxiety, depending on the situation. Some people also feel that excessive perspiration through a dog's pads is another sign. Panting may also be another sign, and you might see more drool in a dog that pants when anxious.

[ February 10, 2004, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: Betsy Iole ]

 

[Rpkelly]

I don't think his drooling is anxiousness. He was King of the Castle by the third day! He hasn't done it in a few days and well, the only thing I can think to blame it on is the Pupperoni Treats, so for now... he'll just have to stick to milk bones.