DF: This disease is more prevalent in some states than others, and veterinarians are on the alert in areas of greater prevalence, especially because this is a disease that people can also contract. With climate change, it is likely to become more prevalent. In your case, it is a warning to not let cats roam free and kill wildlife. FATTY TUMORS
It wasn’t until a couple of days later that a second vet examined him and asked whether my cat kills and eats rabbits — the answer was an absolute yes. The vet said she had seen only one other case of tularemia, but it requires a special antibiotic, which she administered by injection three days in a row and then had us give in liquid form for a week.
Michael W. Fox, author of a newsletter and books on animal care, welfare and rights, is a veterinarian with doctoral degrees in medicine and animal behavior. Send letters to [email protected] or write to him at United Feature Syndicate, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo. 64106.
We had a cat that suddenly started biting at about age 4. He would get a wild look in his eye and rush and bite. I took him to the vet after he attacked my daughter. The vet asked whether he was a jumper, and suggested an X-ray. It turns out he had a pinched a nerve in his spine. A very short course of steroids and muscle relaxants did the trick.
DF: There are bacteria and fungi that live normally on a dog’s skin and oral cavity, and when established as a balanced population, like a well-managed garden, help keep the skin and gums healthy and prevent injurious organisms from becoming established.
Why is my dog drooling and weird?
The problem could be a fractured tooth or tumors inside the mouth, esophagus, and/or throat. Tartar buildup and irritation of the gums can also lead to drooling, as can an infection in the mouth. In addition, a foreign body can lead to slobbering.
How do I get rid of brown tear stains on my dog?
Wash the muzzle hair with dry shampoo or waterless shampoo and a wet washcloth. You may also try 3% hydrogen peroxide on a paper towel. Comb and blow-dry afterwards. Keep the hair around the eyes trimmed to avoid it irritating the eye and causing tearing.
Why Does My Dog Drool So Much?
Remember the slobbering Saint Bernard from the movie Beethoven? OK, maybe your dog doesnât drool that much! But is it still a problem? Thereâs normal, healthy slobber that helps your dog eat and digest. And then thereâs Niagara Falls. Too much drool, or hypersalivation, can be a sign of illness.
Breeding: Bloodhounds, Newfoundlands, mastiffs, and Saint Bernards are breeds with loose upper lips or âflews,â causing them to drool more than others. Keep a hand towel around, maybe even a bib.
Mouth disease and tooth decay: Tarter buildup can rub against the inside of your dogâs lip, causing drool. To check, pull their lip back toward their ear. Do their teeth look like concrete? Are they brown? Are their gums red, swollen, or bleeding? If so, try a professional cleaning and then daily brushing. Your vet can check for gingivitis, mouth ulcers, and tumors as well.
Heat stroke: Short-nosed breeds, such as pugs, Boston terriers, boxers, and bulldogs, are more likely to have heat stroke. They just donât pant as well as other dogs. If you think about it, your dog wears a fur coat, even in the summer, so it doesnât take much for them to get overheated. Dogs that are stuck in the sun or run without access to water may also suffer from heat stroke and drool.
To avoid this, always have fresh, clean water available and shady places for them to cool off. On very hot days, keep them indoors, limit exercise, and never leave them in a parked car. Call your vet right way if you suspect heat stroke — it can be dangerous.
Motion sickness and anxiety: If the only time your dog gets in the car is to go to the vet for shots, of course theyâll be nervous or nauseated.
Open-mouth panting and breathing, which are signs of anxiety, can cause your dog to drool. To make them more comfortable, try putting them in a pet harness or canine seat belt in the back seat without driving anywhere. Then slowly work up to backing out of the driveway and driving around the block. Repeat the routine as needed to ease carsickness. Ginger pills, sold at health food stores, are another solution. Talk to your vet about other remedies. If the motion sickness persists, your dog will most likely need prescription medication to find relief.Â
Organ disease: Liver and kidney diseases, for example, can cause drooling. As they age, dogs are more likely to get sick. Vets suggest annual checkups to diagnose and treat diseases early.
Poisonous plants or animals: Common plants like tulips, azaleas, and chrysanthemums can not only make your dog drool, but also make them sick. Keep your dog from eating them. Your dog might also lick or eat certain frogs, toads, scorpions or spiders that are poisonous. For a list of poisonous plants, consult the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Stomachaches: Dogs donât tend to think before eating. Vets report pulling some strange items from their stomachs, from tennis balls to socket wrenches. This can cause nausea, discomfort and pain. Keep dangerous items away from them. If you think your dog has eaten something it shouldnt have, call your vet right away.Â
Upper respiratory infections: Drooling can signal an infection of the nose, throat, or sinuses. Dogs that live in homes or shelters with other pets have a higher risk. Stress is also a factor. Only your vet can properly treat an infection. But you can take steps to protect your dog: Keep them indoors, away from other pets, and wash your hands between handling different animals.
Youâre the best judge of your dogâs behavior. If they are acting strange for more than a day, seem stressed, are vomiting, or are not eating and playing as usual, itâs wise to see a vet.