In article .com,
Fette wrote:
It was actual the vet - dental specialist - that we called yesterday to
find out what the problem might be.

I'd talk to whichever vet that wasn't (i.e. the other guy)
as soon as possible. It may be nothing or it may be
serious, and I think it's better to spend the money, feel a
little foolish, and find out that the dog is okay than it is
to let something go untreated.

With such a small dog and so much drool, I wonder if she is becoming
dehydrated?

A dog will typically not allow itself to become dehydrated
if you have ample water available all the time and there's
no major fluid loss (diarrhea, vomiting, excessive panting
in a heat situation), but if you're concerned you can do a
couple of simple checks. If you press against the gum, when
you take your finger/thumb away there will be a pale spot.
It should pink up quickly in a normally hydrated dog; if it
takes a bit there may be an issue. Similarly, skin won't
rebound quickly when pulled if there's a problem (although
it may be hard to tell if the dog has loose skin and you're
not experienced at this). The gums and nose would be dry,
too.

This is one I wouldn't worry about that much, but I would
try to find out what's causing the drooling. I recently had
some pretty significant oral surgery and drooled like a
son-of-a-gun (TMI! TMI!) for several days afterward even
though everything was fine, but even so my surgeon and
dentist both scheduled a bunch of follow-up exams and
whatnot to keep an eye on things. A follow-up is completely
appropriate for that number of extractions and given your
questions, in my opinion.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

Lynne wrote:

Gums can take a long time to heal after tooth extractions, but if the
dental vet says the excessive drooling is not normal then there is no doubt
your dog needs to be seen by someone. I'm not sure if I would take her
*right now* unless she is showing signs of distress.

That's a "know your dog" sort of thing. Some dogs don't ever show
signs of distress, so advising someone to wait based on the absence
of distress doesn't seem quite right to me.

It seems to me that when someone is concerned enough to post here
about a new and unusual health issue, then it probably is something
that a vet ought to be consulted about. And, if you're going to
consult a vet, why wait?

That said, I'm kind of spoiled, in that I've been (mostly) going to
a vet that has strictly walk-in service. I can decide to take the
dog/cat at the drop of a hat. I realize others don't have that
luxury, which is why I mentioned going to an emergency clinic.

--
Shelly (Warning: see label for details)
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

Hi Melinda,

Thank you for your thoughts.
Your advice about how to check for dehydration is invaluable to me.

Thank You,
Kelly

Melinda Shore wrote:
In article .com,
Fette wrote:
It was actual the vet - dental specialist - that we called yesterday to
find out what the problem might be.

I'd talk to whichever vet that wasn't (i.e. the other guy)
as soon as possible. It may be nothing or it may be
serious, and I think it's better to spend the money, feel a
little foolish, and find out that the dog is okay than it is
to let something go untreated.

With such a small dog and so much drool, I wonder if she is becoming
dehydrated?

A dog will typically not allow itself to become dehydrated
if you have ample water available all the time and there's
no major fluid loss (diarrhea, vomiting, excessive panting
in a heat situation), but if you're concerned you can do a
couple of simple checks. If you press against the gum, when
you take your finger/thumb away there will be a pale spot.
It should pink up quickly in a normally hydrated dog; if it
takes a bit there may be an issue. Similarly, skin won't
rebound quickly when pulled if there's a problem (although
it may be hard to tell if the dog has loose skin and you're
not experienced at this). The gums and nose would be dry,
too.

This is one I wouldn't worry about that much, but I would
try to find out what's causing the drooling. I recently had
some pretty significant oral surgery and drooled like a
son-of-a-gun (TMI! TMI!) for several days afterward even
though everything was fine, but even so my surgeon and
dentist both scheduled a bunch of follow-up exams and
whatnot to keep an eye on things. A follow-up is completely
appropriate for that number of extractions and given your
questions, in my opinion.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

We will be taking our puppy to the vet over the lunch hour today. I
will update you if we are able to find anything out.

Thanks again for you input.
Kelly

Lynne wrote:
on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 13:40:27 GMT, shelly wrote:

Considering your previous post questioning whether or not the dental
procedure was appropriate, if I were you, I'd take my dog *right
now* to either your regular vet or an emergency vet.

There may not be anything seriously wrong, but *something* is
causing the increased drooling. I'd want to know what, and that
will require a trip to the vet.

Gums can take a long time to heal after tooth extractions, but if the
dental vet says the excessive drooling is not normal then there is no doubt
your dog needs to be seen by someone. I'm not sure if I would take her
*right now* unless she is showing signs of distress. If the only symptom
is excessive drooling, I would certainly make an appointment for the within
the next day or so, and not with the dental specialist. BTW, the vomiting
could be coincidental or the result of swallowing too much drool. One
incident of vomiting isn't cause for concern, but if it continues,
obviously it's a problem.

OTOH, if you believe she might be dehydrated, take her to an emergency vet
NOW.

--
Lynne

http://picasaweb.google.com/what.the.hell.is.it/

on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:33:36 GMT, shelly wrote:

It seems to me that when someone is concerned enough to post here
about a new and unusual health issue, then it probably is something
that a vet ought to be consulted about. And, if you're going to
consult a vet, why wait?

I just don't see excessive drooling after major oral surgery as cause for
concern to the point of dropping everything and heading to an emergency
vet--and I tend to err on the side of caution to the extreme. For me to
walk into the emergency vet hospital (and I've done this many, many times),
I can count on a bill of at least $200, and that doesn't include any tests.
Just the standard exam fee, no specialist consults, tests or meds.

Excessive drooling without fever, dehydration or (more than one episode of)
vomiting, lack of appetite, changes in elimination, or lethargy (aka signs
of distress) seems like it could wait a day or so.

--
Lynne

http://picasaweb.google.com/what.the.hell.is.it/

on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:37:50 GMT, "Fette" wrote:

We will be taking our puppy to the vet over the lunch hour today. I
will update you if we are able to find anything out.

Oh, good!

--
Lynne

http://picasaweb.google.com/what.the.hell.is.it/

Lynne wrote:

I just don't see excessive drooling after major oral surgery as cause for
concern to the point of dropping everything and heading to an emergency
vet--and I tend to err on the side of caution to the extreme. For me to
walk into the emergency vet hospital (and I've done this many, many times),
I can count on a bill of at least $200, and that doesn't include any tests.
Just the standard exam fee, no specialist consults, tests or meds.

The e-vet recommendation was in the event that the regular vet was
unsatisfactory (I'm still unclear on which vet is being problematic)
or an appointment could not be gotten soon enough to be helpful.

More than anything, the owner seems confused and lacking in
knowledge or support from at least one of the dog's vets. Calling
the vet has apparently proved to be unhelpful, so where do you think
the owner should go to get the information and support s/he needs?
Because the alternative--it's nothing to worry about--is really not
a helpful answer in this situation. The owner *is* concerned. It's
okay to be concerned, and it's okay to seek out a second opinion
when your vet is not living up to your expectations.

Excessive drooling without fever, dehydration or (more than one episode of)
vomiting, lack of appetite, changes in elimination, or lethargy (aka signs
of distress) seems like it could wait a day or so.

I might make that call with my own dog, but I'm not going to do so
with someone else's, especially when I don't know the person or the dog.

--
Shelly (Warning: see label for details)
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:49:44 GMT, shelly wrote:

The e-vet recommendation was in the event that the regular vet was
unsatisfactory (I'm still unclear on which vet is being problematic)
or an appointment could not be gotten soon enough to be helpful.

The dental vet is being problematic.

More than anything, the owner seems confused and lacking in
knowledge or support from at least one of the dog's vets. Calling
the vet has apparently proved to be unhelpful, so where do you think
the owner should go to get the information and support s/he needs?
Because the alternative--it's nothing to worry about--is really not
a helpful answer in this situation. The owner *is* concerned. It's
okay to be concerned, and it's okay to seek out a second opinion
when your vet is not living up to your expectations.

Re-read my first post to the OP. I recommended seeing a vet, and not the
dental vet who was unhelpful.

Excessive drooling without fever, dehydration or (more than one
episode of) vomiting, lack of appetite, changes in elimination, or
lethargy (aka signs of distress) seems like it could wait a day or
so.

I might make that call with my own dog, but I'm not going to do so
with someone else's, especially when I don't know the person or the
dog.

Having a walk in vet is definitely not the norm, so perhaps that makes your
approach different than mine. I was clear that the OP needed to get the
dog to a vet, but equally clear that I don't believe it's a dire emergency
*unless there are signs of distress.* I don't think that's careless, but
YMMV.

--
Lynne

http://picasaweb.google.com/what.the.hell.is.it/

on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:56:34 GMT, Lynne
wrote:

Re-read my first post to the OP.

er, second post. My first post simply asked what the vet said about all
this.

--
Lynne

http://picasaweb.google.com/what.the.hell.is.it/

Lynne wrote:

Having a walk in vet is definitely not the norm, so perhaps that makes your
approach different than mine. I was clear that the OP needed to get the
dog to a vet, but equally clear that I don't believe it's a dire emergency
*unless there are signs of distress.* I don't think that's careless, but
YMMV.

I was explaining my reasoning for giving the advice I did, not
criticizing the original advice *you* gave. If I'd wanted to do the
latter, I would have replied to one of your posts to the OP.

If you don't like the advice I gave, that's your prerogative. I'm
not interested in getting into a pissing match with you over it, though.

--
Shelly (Warning: see label for details)
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)