Treatment of Hanging Tongue Syndrome in Dogs
Treatment for dogs with hanging tongue syndrome can differ somewhat, depending on the reason that the tongue is hanging limp and how severely it is affecting the animal. In many cases, the tongue requires only maintenance treatments such as appropriate lubricants for the tongue typically just olive oil or water and close monitoring to check for changes in texture or indications of frostbite or sunburn. Dogs who have tongues that are already swollen or cracked may be offered drugs for pain relief, and if the tongue has developed an infection, then the appropriate antibiotic or antifungal medications will be prescribed.
For dogs that do not have control of their tongues, the veterinarian may recommend that you feed your dog food that is soft and easy to swallow in an attempt to prevent damage to the tongue during feeding times. For some dogs with overly large tongues, sometimes referred to as macroglossia, the size of the tongue may severely interfere with eating, drinking, and even sleeping. In cases where the size or condition of the tongue is interfering greatly with the patient’s quality of life, surgical resection of the tongue, known as a glossectomy, may be recommended.
Worried about the cost of Hanging Tongue Syndrome treatment?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Symptoms of Hanging Tongue Syndrome in Dogs
Dogs who have developed hanging tongue syndrome may experience several different symptoms that are likely to require attention and may even be indicative of additional disorders. Some of the symptoms that you may want to watch for include:
Types
Constantly hanging tongues in dogs may have multiple causes, and this may result in differing amounts of control over the organ. Dogs that are unable to retract their tongue fully due to dentition problems or injuries to the jaw may have full control of their tongue otherwise. Canines who have limited control or no control, such as dogs with tongues that are paralyzed due to nerve damage or dogs with an injured tongue, may require assistance with important tasks such as eating, drinking, and cleaning themselves and may be more at risk for environmental hazards such as sunburn or frostbite.
How To Care For A Dog’s Tongue
If your dog can’t or won’t bring her tongue inside her mouth to moisten it on occasion, then you need to take a few extra steps to care for your dog’s tongue.
Only your vet can accurately determine whether your dog has Hanging Tongue Syndrome or not, and whether she is in pain from it or not.
To ensure that your dog’s tongue does not become too dry or cracked you can do the following:
Take the time to regularly inspect your dog’s tongue looking for changes in texture, color, size, or bleeding. If you notice any of these things, take your dog to the vet right away, because they could signal deeper issues — such as an infection or neurological problems.
If your dog’s tongue hangs outside of his mouth, then you’ll need to closely monitor your dog’s time spent outdoors because…
Why Does My Dog Stick The Tip Of His Tongue Out (Answered)
Hanging Tongue Syndrome is a condition where a dog’s tongue hangs out of his mouth all the time and the dog is unable to bring her tongue in at will.
This could be due to the dog’s breed, a mouth or jaw injury, or deformities of the mouth or teeth, among other things.
Other times, things like medications or the removal of teeth could temporarily leave your dog’s tongue hanging outside of his mouth.
If a dog is not able to moisten her tongue by bringing it fully into the mouth, then the tongue could become dry or cracked over time and cause the dog some pain.