Page 590 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

582 PART 9 CAT WITH SIGNS OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT DISEASE

DISEASES CAUSING SALIVATION PERIDONTAL DISEASE/PERIODONTITIS***

Classical signs
PSYCHOGENIC CAUSES***
● Dysphagia.
Classical signs ● Pawing at mouth.
● Halitosis.
● Ptyalism.
● Ptyalism.
● Dilated pupils.
See main reference on page 604 for details (The Cat
With Bad Breath or Oral Lesions).
Pathogenesis

Fear, anxiety, pleasure, nausea. Clinical signs
May be exacerbated by underlying or concomitant Severe peridontal disease will result in tooth loss, deep
hyperthyroidism. pockets with heavy anaerobic infections and strong hal-
itosis.
Anticipation of unpleasant experience (e.g. tableting or
painful injection). Cat may show signs of attempting to pick up food,
dropping it and pawing at mouth.
Especially in “highly-strung” cats, e.g. Siamese.
Peri-labial fur may be saliva stained.
Makes oral medication virtually impossible.
Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (“neck lesions”)
Probably the most common cause of ptyalism in the cat
can also be very painful and show similar signs.
in the clinic situation.

Diagnosis
Clinical signs Probing to identify periodontal pockets. Tapping affected
teeth will cause jaw “chattering”.
Drooling, ptyalism.
Usually during traveling or at veterinary clinic.
Often triggered by cat recognizing unpleasant event FELINE CALICIVIRUS**
to come.
Classical signs
Pupils dilated when due to stress or fear.
● Sneezing, coughing, oculonasal discharge.
Repeated lip smacking and swallowing ● Oral ulceration, especially tongue.
● Ptyalism.

See main reference on page 11 for details.
Treatment

0.01 mg/kg PO or SC atropine 1/2 hour before traveling/-
event. Clinical signs
Diazepam 0.5 mg/kg PO or SC 1/2 hour before traveling/- Sudden onset of acute conjunctivitis (usually one eye
event. first).
Above drugs can be combined. Rapidly followed by sneezing, coughing, pyrexia.