Page 587 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

27 – THE CAT WITH SALIVATION 579

QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY
Diseases causing salivation
ANOMALY

● Portosystemic shunt (PSS)* (p 588)
Congenital liver abnormality causing intermittent central nervous system (CNS) signs with ptyal-
ism. Usually in young cats (< 1 year). Often associated with eating. Affected cats are often very
stunted in size.
MECHANICAL

● Esophageal foreign body* (p 590)
Repeated swallowing attempts with neck outstretched/retching, regurgitating white or blood
stained foam.
● Oral foreign body** (p 586)
Acute onset of salivation, gagging and pawing at the mouth. Dysphagia, halitosis and inappetence
may be evident. Most commonly associated with a bone lodged laterally between the 4th upper
premolars.
NEOPLASTIC
● Oral neoplasia* (p 587)
Squamous cell carcinoma most common. Often under tongue or associated with a canine tooth or
in tonsillar region. Ulcerated and/or proliferative.
PSYCHOLOGICAL

● Psychogenic causes*** (p 582)
Ptyalism can be caused by stress, fear, pleasure and pain.
INFECTIOUS

● Rabies (p 599)
Progressive central nervous system signs of muscle fasciculation, weakness, ataxia com-
bined with behavioral changes, low-grade fever and ptyalism in unvaccinated cats. Serious
zoonosis.
● Feline herpes virus** (p 583)
Pronounced ptyalism can occur in the very early stage of the disease. Invariably followed by
the normal classical signs of viral upper respiratory disease – i.e. sneezing, naso-ocular
discharge, etc.
● Feline calicivirus** (p 582)
Ptyalism as a result of tongue laceration due to virus, usually in young kittens. Often associated
with other upper respiratory signs – e.g. chemosis, sneezing, coughing.
● Feline spongioform encephalopathy (FSE) (p 600)
Progressive central nervous signs including hindlimb ataxia, behavioral changes, hyperesthesia,
head tremor and muscle fasciculation. Ptyalism.

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