Hypersalivation in cats does not always indicate any disease. Increased saliva production is most often a natural reaction of the body to various stimuli. You need to sound the alarm only in cases when salivation is accompanied by a deterioration in well-being. What diseases are hypersalivation observed in? When is an urgent veterinarian needed? We will consider these issues in the article.
Signs
What is hypersalivation? This is the name for increased salivation in cats. This condition does not necessarily indicate a pet's illness. Most often, excessive salivation is caused by natural causes. However, you should take a closer look at the well-being of the animal so as not to miss the signs of possible diseases.
Most often, hypersalivation is clearly visible. However, there are cases when salivation is not pronounced, and it can be determined by the following indirect signs:
- Wet hair in the neck, chin and chest;
- frequent washing of the pet;
- drooping wet hair in the form of "icicles";
- protruding tongue;
- the appearance of moisture spots on the mat;
- frequent rubbing of an animal on various objects.
The secretion of the salivary glands can flow out of the mouth with droplets, like water, or stand out in the form of foam. If hypersalivation is accompanied by changes in the behavior of the cat, then it is possible that this is due to the disease.
Natural causes
Why is a cat drooling from her mouth? In most cases, this is due to the following physiological reasons:
- The smell of food. Cats subtly capture the pleasant aroma of food. At the same time, the salivary glands are activated in them. This is a natural reaction of the body, because the secret is involved in the digestive process.
- Stroking. Some breeds saliva during caressing. This is an expression of pleasure. In this case, hypersalivation in cats is accompanied by purring. This feature distinguishes rocks with an elongated muzzle, for example, sphinxes or rex.
- Teething. This process is often accompanied by gum disease. Bad breath and refusal to eat may be observed. It is advisable to show the cat to the veterinarian, since it is not always possible to independently distinguish between natural tooth growth and oral diseases.
- Estrus. During this period, the animals show increased work of the glands of external and internal secretion.
- Taking bitter medicines. Some pills seem very unpleasant to the animal. Such drugs include antibiotics, Nosh-pa, anthelmintic drugs. The bitter taste provokes increased secretion of saliva. If such tablets are swallowed in cats, a foamy liquid may be released from the mouth.
- Travel in transport. The vestibular apparatus in cats is rather weak. These animals are very susceptible to motion sickness, which is accompanied by drowsiness and excessive salivation.
Often cats drool in stressful situations. Hypersalivation can occur when a pet moves to a new place, communicates with strangers or encounters with dogs. In shy animals, salivation appears after visiting a veterinary clinic. With strong excitement, the cat begins to lick often and intensely.
When it's dangerous
Elevated salivation in cats can be one of the symptoms of various pathologies. In this case, it is accompanied by a deterioration in well-being and changes in the behavior of the pet. Intensive work of the salivary glands is noted in the following diseases and injuries:
- viral infections;
- poisoning;
- diseases of the digestive tract;
- dental pathology;
- an accumulation in the intestines of trichobesoars (lumps of wool);
- ingestion of small inedible objects into the esophagus.
Next, we will consider in detail the symptoms and treatment of these pathologies.
Infections
There are a number of diseases in which cats drool from their mouths. Hypersalivation may be a sign of the following pathologies:
- respiratory viral infections;
- viral leukemia;
- rabies.
Respiratory viral diseases include rhinotracheitis and calcivirosis. Shortly after infection, the cat becomes lethargic, her temperature rises sharply. The animal often sneezes, mucous secretions leave the nose and eyes. If you examine the animal’s mouth, you will notice redness and sores.
For respiratory infections, veterinarians prescribe immunomodulators and antiviral drugs to animals (Roncoleukin, Maksidin, Cycloferon), and also put droppers with saline solutions.
Viral leukemia is a serious infectious pathology in which the process of hematopoiesis is sharply disrupted. At the early stage of the disease, the pet's immunity drops, the animal becomes susceptible to various infections. Lymph nodes may increase. The cat suffers from frequent stomatitis, which is accompanied by salivation. In advanced cases, malignant tumors (lymphomas) appear and severe anemia develops. Viral leukemia cannot be completely cured. Therapy is aimed only at prolonging life and alleviating the condition of the pet. Animals are prescribed a long course of taking antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs.
The most dangerous cause of hypersalivation in cats is rabies. This disease inevitably leads to the death of the animal. Pathology is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. Infection occurs only when saliva enters the bloodstream (during a bite, licking).
In the early stages, the behavior of the animal changes. The cat becomes either overly affectionate or aggressive. Then there is hypersalivation. Viscous and foamy saliva constantly flows from the mouth. Due to paralysis of the muscles of the pharynx, the pet cannot swallow water. There is intolerance to loud sounds and even a light blow of the wind. After this comes the late stage of the disease, which leads to the appearance of seizures and paralysis, the animal dies.
Unfortunately, rabies is incurable and in 100% of cases it ends fatally. A sick cat poses a huge danger to surrounding warm-blooded mammals (including humans). Therefore, veterinarians recommend euthanizing such an animal.
Intoxication
Hypersalivation in cats can be one of the signs of intoxication. Allocating a large amount of saliva, the body tries to get rid of poisons. Most often, cats are poisoned by spoiled food and poor quality prepared feeds. Intoxication can also provoke eating toxic indoor plants, accidentally swallowing human medicines and detergents.
In case of poisoning, the cat vomits after eating undigested food, and liquid saliva constantly flows out of the mouth. Other symptoms of intoxication are observed:
- diarrhea;
- apathy and lethargy;
- mournful meowing (due to abdominal pain);
- dilated pupils;
- convulsions (with poisoning with neurotoxic substances).
In such cases, it is necessary to deliver the animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible. In case of poisoning, animals require a drip of infusion solutions. This will help to quickly remove toxins from the body. Hypersalivation completely disappears after recovery.
Internal illnesses
Increased salivation may be one of the signs of chronic digestive system diseases. Such a symptom often indicates the following pathologies:
- inflammatory processes (esophagitis) or neoplasms in the esophagus;
- stomach ulcer;
- gastritis;
- hernia in the digestive tract.
With such diseases, cats often salivate with vomiting, and periods of diarrhea give way to constipation. The pet is disturbed by pain in the abdominal cavity, he makes mournful sounds and does not tolerate touching his stomach. If the pathological process is localized in the esophagus, then difficulties arise when swallowing solid food.
Hernias and tumors in the digestive organs are treated exclusively by surgery. With gastritis and ulcerative processes, dietary nutrition is indicated with special therapeutic feeds. Anti-inflammatory drugs and agents to reduce the acidity of gastric juice are also prescribed.
Oral inflammation
When hypersalivation in cats, it is necessary to carefully examine the pet's mouth and gums. A fairly common cause of excessive salivation is inflammation - stomatitis and gingivitis. With such pathologies, the oral mucosa looks reddened, a fetid odor appears. Due to soreness, the cat refuses to eat.
In case of inflammation, it is necessary to treat the oral mucosa with special gels with antibiotics and antiseptic solutions. During an illness, a cat can only be given soft, ready-made pastes. Gingivitis and stomatitis cannot be started, as these pathologies can lead to loosening and tooth loss.
Trichobezoaras
These are felted lumps of wool that enter the digestive tract when licking. In most cases, the cat belches them on its own. But sometimes they can accumulate in the intestines and hardly come out. This problem is more often observed in breeds with long and thick hair.
A situation is considered dangerous when trichobesoars completely cover the intestinal lumen, which leads to obstruction of the organ. When a cat's gastrointestinal blockage occurs, it vomits after eating undigested food. During nausea, saliva liberates abundantly. So the body is trying to get rid of the accumulated wool inside. Severe constipation and bloating occurs. The cat feels severe pain, often the animal rolls on the floor and makes mournful sounds.
This condition requires emergency veterinary care, otherwise the pet may die. In mild cases, the animal is given an enema and given a laxative. In severe blockage, trichobesoars are removed surgically.
Foreign bodies
Cats love to play with various objects. In this case, animals can accidentally swallow a foreign body, which is stuck in the esophagus. This is a rather dangerous situation, since objects with an uneven surface can injure the walls of the organ.
Ingestion of foreign bodies is always accompanied by increased salivation. In addition, the animal appears and other symptoms:
- restless behavior;
- frequent and unsuccessful swallowing movements;
- neck extension;
- constipation;
- strong gagging;
- cough;
- belching;
- complete rejection of food.
If a foreign object is in the esophagus for a long time, then the animal loses weight greatly due to the inability to eat. In severe cases, this can lead to death from exhaustion.
An urgent need to deliver a cat to a veterinary clinic. You should not try to independently remove the object from the esophagus, this can lead to serious injury. The specialist will take an x-ray, establish the exact localization of the foreign body and remove it with an endoscope.
Diagnostics
Hypersalivation can be a symptom of a wide variety of diseases. Only the specialist can determine the exact cause of the abundant saliva. At the initial treatment, the doctor conducts a thorough examination of the animal and prescribes the following examinations:
- blood and urine tests for general clinical indicators;
- PCR test for viruses;
- X-ray of the digestive tract.
If you suspect inflammation of the oral cavity, you may need to consult a veterinarian-dentist.
Prevention
To prevent serious pathologies accompanied by hypersalivation, veterinarians advise following the following recommendations:
- Inoculate cats from viral infections in time.
- Keep pets away from stray relatives and infected animals.
- Monitor the quality and freshness of cat food.
- Periodically inspect the pet’s oral cavity. If ulcers, sores, or redness are found, show the cat to the veterinarian.
- Keep household chemicals, poisonous indoor plants and medicines out of reach.
- Carefully monitor the safety of the cat during games with objects.
- Comb the hair regularly to prevent swallowing lumps.
- It is advisable to give the cat special food, pastes and grass to remove wool from the stomach.
These simple measures will help maintain the health of the pet and prevent dangerous diseases.