English Bulldogs are known for two things: loud snoring and drooling. While these canines will slobber from time to time, a English Bulldog drooling excessively may not be a normal case. Excessive salivation can lead to a big mess at home, not to mention the possibility of health problems.
In this post, I will discuss excessive drooling in dogs and if you have to worry about your pet. As with any health problem, the vet is always the best person to call. Nevertheless, read on to know more about your dog’s condition, so you’ll be a guided pet owner.
Why is my English Bulldog drooling excessively?
While drooling, or ptyalism, is normal among Bulldogs, it can be bothersome once the slobber gets too much. The following are some of the reasons why your doggo is having a drool fest right now:
Exposure to toxins
The most common reasons why Bulldogs may drool excessively is exposure to toxins. Aside from drooling, your dog will also become agitated accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.
Take note that many innocent-looking household items can cause poisoning among canines. It could be your bathroom cleaner, stash of chocolate, or your choice if house plants.
As with any toxic substance, time is your enemy when it comes to poisoning. You have to bring the dog to the vet as soon as you suspect poisoning. If the vet isn’t available, you can call a poisoning hotline. The likes of Pet Poison Helpline are available 24/7 for all types of poison your dog may have been exposed to.
Moreover, I don’t recommend trying to self-medication poisoning in dogs. Unless the vet recommended some steps to take, never try to give any medication to your Bulldog. This could make the situation worse if you do so.
Overheating
If your Bulldog isn’t exposed to poison, the next thing you should rule out is overheating. As a brachycephalic canine, English Bulldogs are at high risk of suffering from heat exhaustion. Their short airways can collapse easily when exposed to extreme heat.
A few signs of overheating include drooling, labored breathing, lethargy, pale or very red gums, confusion, and even seizures.
Take note that overheating is a life-threatening condition. You must help your Bulldog cool down the moment it shows signs of heat exhaustion. Also, it’s important to limit your dog’s outdoor activities during summer or when the temperature is uncomfortably high.
The following are some steps you can take to help your overheating Bulldog cool down:
- Take your dog to a cool area. Avoid air-conditioned rooms as this can lead to shock. Instead, choose a shaded area with airflow to help your dog cool down.
- Give small amounts of water at a time. Never give an overheating Bulldog with a bowl full of water. There’s a big chance that the thirsty doggo will gulp everything down, which will lead to bloat.
- Douche water on the dog’s body. You can also spray water on your dog’s body to tone down its body temperature. Use room temperature and not the one straight from the fridge.
- Take the dog to the vet. Once you’ve given first aid to your Bulldog, you should bring it to the vet afterward. You should do this even if your dog seems to be fine after the heat exhaustion episode.
Dental problems
Excessive drooling among Bulldogs can also be attributed to dental problems. This is a non-emergency situation, but it requires treatment nonetheless.
Gingivitis and periodontal disease can both make your English Bulldog drool a lot. Any mouth infection for that matter can also lead to excessive salivation.
Aside from bad breath and drooling, dental problems can also take a deadly turn. Wounds inside the mouth can become entryways for infection, which can travel through the bloodstream of your dog. In some cases, Bulldogs suffer from heart problems due to an untreated dental issue.
When it comes to dental problems, it’s cheaper to get them treated as early as possible. It will also save your dog from the discomfort and your couch from pools of smelly drool.
Foreign objects stuck inside the mouth
A quick inspection of your Bulldog’s mouth will reveal whether there’s a stuck object inside. As with any dog, Bulldogs love chewing and mouthing things. And in some cases, tiny objects can get inside their mouths.
When this happens, the foreign object will trigger increased salivation. Most of the time, a foreign object within the teeth of your dog can be removed at home. However, if your efforts prove useless and if the Bulldog is in pain, it might be better to seek the help of a veterinarian.
Rabies
Is your dog free of any of the mentioned problems? In this case, you have to consider one dreaded condition: rabies.
Fully vaccinated Bulldogs won’t be at risk of this deadly infection. This is also the case if your dog receives booster shots on time.
Rabies is an untreatable condition once it shows symptoms like drooling, foaming in the mouth, aggression, and other neurological signs. Worse, rabies can be transmitted to humans through an infected bite.
If you suspect that your unvaccinated Bulldog has rabies, you should isolate it inside a crate right away. Be careful not to given bitten and keep your other warm-blooded pets away.
After that, bring the rabid Bulldog into the vet. Most of the time, the solution is to euthanize the dog to prevent the spread of the virus.
How to deal with English Bulldog excessive drooling
Dog drool is inescapable, especially if you have an English Bulldog. Still, the following tips will make it more bearable.
Wipe it off
Even before your Bulldog’s droll get into your precious couch or newly cleaned floor, it’s best to wipe it off right away. Dab a clean cloth on your dog’s mouth to remove the drool. You can also put on a dog bandana on your canine to catch the slobber.
Clean your upholstery regularly
It’s quite impossible to avoid getting your dog’s drool on any of your chairs or couches. In this case, you should prepare a fabric or leather cleaner handy to clean off drool spots. An enzymatic cleaner can also help remove deep-seated drool stains off fabric surfaces.
Maintain healthy dental hygiene
Aside from of trying not to get your dog’s drool into your furniture, you should also get into the root of the problem.
Healthy dental hygiene will help prevent infection-induced salivation. You can do this by brushing you Bulldog’s teeth regularly and bringing it to the vet for dental checks.
I recommend using water additives as well to reduce plaque buildup on your dog’s mouth.
Give your dog its own corner
By giving your Bulldog its own corner at home, you can limit where the drool gets. I suggest training your dog not to get into the couch or your bed. This will save you from the mess.
This will take a lot of training and patience since Bulldogs can be quite clingy. Positive reinforcement never fails to show results in this case.
Final words
An English Bulldog drooling excessively might be suffering from dental problems, heat exhaustion, poisoning, or even rabies. It’s important to tackle the root of the problem to save yourself from the slobbering mess. Don’t hesitate to call the vet if you’re worried about your dog’s salivation or if you’re noticing other symptoms.
