Why is my dog drooling, struggling to drink, and mouth won't shut?

Poor pup! I'm sorry to hear that she's having this problem. There are a number of different things that could cause problems with closing the mouth and excessive drooling like this, so it's hard to say what might be wrong without being able to examine her. Some common possibilities would include an injury to the mouth or jaw, a tumor or infection in the mouth, or a neurologic problem such as a stroke. I would recommend taking your dog to the vet for an exam today, if possible, since some of these problems can be quite serious. Your vet can do a complete neurologic exam and may also sedate her so that a thorough oral exam can be performed as well. Once a diagnosis is made, he/she can talk to you about what treatment will be needed.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Jordan! I seriously hope Jordan doesn't have Rabies. If rabies is a concern humans should not be touching his saliva or be in a position where they could be bitten. It sounds like Jordan may have trigeminal neuritis (inflamed nerve). The cause is unknown but I have seen it after vaccination. The most effective treatment is supportive care. Jordan will need assistance with eating and drinking. If you are able to provide sufficient care at home, he may be treated as an outpatient, but if you cannot care for him, it will need supportive nutritional care in the veterinary hospital so that it is receiving adequate nutrients. If Jordan is still able to lap and swallow food that is offered, you can use a large syringe that is placed in the corner of the mouth to feed him water and pureed foods, with Jordan's head slightly elevated so that it can swallow easily. This disease usually spontaneously resolves after 2-4 weeks. I hope this helps and I wish Jordan a speedy recovery!

It does sound like there is inflammation of the nerves to the tongue. Usually it will resolve with time unless the damage was extensive. I suggest you consult with your vet again. If she only got an injection of steroids that may not be enough. She may need a longer course as steroids are a very potent anti-inflammatory.

This sounds like a serious problem, especially given the chronicity. A neurologic problem with the nerves to the face or a neuromuscular problem (facial muscles) may be options. Unfortunately there are many things that could be causing these symptoms. A good place to start is baseline bloodwork to check organ function along with a full neurologic exam by a vet. If your family vet is stumped then referral to a veterinary specialist (internist or neurologist) is indicated. More testing is needed in a case like this in order to know what is the best treatment. Your family vet should be able to provide referral or you can search for a specialist online. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Poor Marley! It sounds like he may be suffering from an autoimmune disease called masticatory muscle myositis (MMM). This inflammatory disease affects the chewing muscles in the dog, and causes the muscle around the mouth to atrophy. It becomes painful for the dog to open their mouth. This can be treated with high dose steroids, which can be prescribed by your vet. This condition can cause dogs to not eat and lose weight, so I would take Marley into your vet as soon as you can.

I’m sorry Oscar is dealing with this. He is quite a handsome guy! Pain opening the mouth can be caused by a few thing including infections or an autoimmune disease called masticatory muscle myositis (MMM). I would have Oscar evaluated by his veterinarian. They may be able to get an idea based on their exam, and they can also do special blood testing for MMM. They can start Oscar on medication as indicated to help him be much more comfortable. In the meantime continue feeding him very soft foods. Hope he is feeling much better soon!

Poor pup! It sounds like she may have a neurologic issue of some kind that is causing her to have trouble getting water into her mouth and swallowing. She could also have severe dental disease, or a wound or tumor inside her mouth causing the problem. I would recommend having her examined by a vet right away - he/she can do a thorough oral exam to check for any problems in her mouth, and also check her reflexes and neurologic function for any abnormalities.