Continued
Dry mouth
Last week, we described the condition of the increased production of saliva (hypersalivation or Ptyalism) which was characterized by profuse drivelling and drooling.
Today, we will have a look at the converse condition – too little saliva being produced (xerostomia or aptyalism). This malady is characterized by a diminished or totally arrested secretion of saliva, which results in the ‘dry mouth’ malady.
Causes
1. If, for whatever therapeutic reasons, certain medications (drugs) are used, one of the side effects could be the cessation or reduction in the production of saliva. Atropine (or belladonna) is a good example of this.
2. Any continuous and heavy dehydration (resulting, for example, from a sustained bout of diarrheoa) could lead to aptyalism. It is a simple case of the entire body tissues being deprived of liquid. (That’s why, unlike certain ingrained beliefs, we must give a lot of liquids – rehydration – to an animal with diarrheoa, and not deprive it of fluids.
3. An animal with a high fever usually also reduces its saliva production.
4. Subsequent to surgery in which the animal had been placed under a general anaesthetic (especially if certain barbiturates are used), a dry mouth results. That’s why people feel thirsty after surgery. Note well that doctors may recommend smaller doses of liquid (given often during the course of the day) instead of single massive fluid intake after surgery.
5. Some specific disease conditions, for example, diabetes, nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), may lead to an increased elimination of fluids from the body. This then has a reducing effect on the production of saliva.
6. Of course, if, for whatever reason, the salivary glands have themselves become diseased, this may lead to the dry mouth condition.
Treatment
Generally speaking, the ascertaining of the specific underlying cause of the dry mouth ailment must represent our primary focus.
To counteract the condition of dry mouth, we recommend any mouthwash which would excite saliva production. A common salt solution or a sodium bicarbonate solution are good examples.
Any of these two would result in the desired effect and ease the discomfort that results from this ailment.
If a high fever is the cause of the saliva stoppage, then we must focus our treatment and, of course, the elimination of the cause of the fever. (Fever must always be seen as a symptom and not the real disease.)
In order to counteract the dehydration condition due to fluid loss, we must rehydrate the animal (fluid replacement therapy), while fighting the initial cause of the fluid loss, especially if it is a severe and continuous diarrhoea.
One can introduce specific medication to stimulate saliva production (eg, the introduction of a drug called Pilocarpine). Your veterinarian will have to advise you on the use of such a specific drug.
Enough for this week.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you do not wish your pet to have puppies or kittens, you may exploit the GSPCA’s free spay and neutering programme. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
