April 23, 2012
Posted in Pet Health

If you own a dog breed like a Saint Bernard or a bulldog, you probably don't think twice when it leaves a slobbery mess of drool on your lap. However, if your cat is drooling or if your dog is starting to drool for the first time, an oral health condition may be the cause.

Drooling is almost always caused by dental or gum disease, but infected teeth or ulcers in the mouth have also been known to cause extra saliva. Older pets in particular may be prone to benign growth in the mouth or cancer that can cause this symptom. If you are noticing your pet drools more than it used to (especially if it never used to drool) bring it to the veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment of the condition, since it may be causing your pet pain.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common medical conditions vets see, particularly in middle-aged and older pets. About 80 percent of pets over age 3 are estimated to have some type of periodontal disease. In addition to drooling, pets with this condition may have an increased odor to their mouths and have difficulty eating hard pet food like Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Potato & Duck Formula for dogs or Wysong Nurture with Free Range Pheasant Dry Dog & Cat Food. The vet will check your pet's mouth for red and inflamed gums, increased levels of tartar and dead or loose teeth.

This condition can be treated with ultrasonic tooth scaling and cleaning, but this has to be done by the veterinarian and under general anesthesia. Sometimes, it is best for the vet to remove a dead tooth altogether and treat the condition using antibiotic pet drugs.

You can follow up after the periodontal disease treatments by keeping up on dental and oral hygiene with your dog or cat. Pet products like Max's Super Dental Wipes make it easy to clean the teeth of your cat or dog. However, if your pet will not allow you to get near its mouth, you can take a hands-off approach to dental health. Pour a product like Be Fresh Dental Care Solution into your dog or cat's water dish. They will not be able to taste it or tell it's there, but it will still plaque and tartar-producing bacteria and also whiten teeth and freshen breath. Greenies dental treats for cats and dogs are also a tasty way to keep your pet's teeth clean and healthy.

Related posts:

1. Reasons behind excessive drooling
2. Dental disease? In pets?
3. Bad breath be gone
4. How to trim down your vet bills
5. Steps to a having a healthy senior dog