Dog drips saliva

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Dog drips saliva

Posted : 8/9/2010 10:01:01 AM

Ever since I have Red - a Golden/collie/gordon setter mix since age 3 (now age 8), he has a slow drip from his nose or tongue. For the first years, it looked like the drip was from his nose. This year and especially this hot summer, the drip is rolling off the center of his tongue. He is so hot with his long hair, I keep him in the A/C all the time.

He did have bells palsy this winter and was drooling after eating on one side, but he has recovered and quit the drooling. His right side of his face is weakened and a little contorted from the paralysis.

He was recently diagnosed with a low thyroid T4 and prescribed the medicine. I have not given the meds because he has no symptoms of low thyoid, like weight gain or lethargy. In fact he is very active and perfect weight.

I think I will start the thyoid med and see what happens, maybe this has to do with the drip drip drip.

spiritdogs

Posted : 8/9/2010 11:36:35 AM

Regardless of whether the saliva is related to the hypothyroidism, give the thyroid meds every day anyway. They are inexpensive, and the symptoms can be vague and not readily apparent, all the while doing damage to your dog! Some dogs just have a lot of saliva, but if it concerns you, ask your vet about it. If he's had it this long, I doubt it's anything serious, but always check if you are worried.

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/9/2010 11:41:36 PM

It's a GOOD thing that you caught the hypothyroidism before it was symptomatic. You don't' need to wait for the symptoms to BE seen -- that's just bringing more difficulty on the dog!

Thyroid supplements aren't bad chemicals to avoid ... the thyroid does *many many* things -- from helping to regulate metabolism to even affecting how much red blood is regenerated in the body. Things even like the liver's response in the body -- when the thryoid is out of balance then many other things in the body don't work well.

My point is -- if the vet has determined there IS hypothyroid by all means GIVE the supplement. It's needed.

Now ... at the same time watch *very* carefully. Any sign of restlessnes, inability to settle, irritability ... TELL THE VET.

Also -- you will need to do some blood tests to be sure this is regulated. After we first start a dog on thyroid supplementation I usually check in a couple of months at least (a blood test) JUST to be sure it's balanced and the dose doesn't need to be adjusted.

You *always* have to test at least annually (and I usually do it semi-annually) -- sometimes a dog's need for supplementation increases ... and sometimes it decreases as they age.