고양이가 침을 흘리는 이유는 무엇입니까?

주요 요약

• 고양이는 타액을 생성하여 건조를 방지하고 음식을 축축하게 하며 항균제 역할을 합니다.
• 타액 과다 분비는 신경 기능 장애로 인해 발생할 수 있습니다.
• 고양이는 치아 건강이 좋지 않거나 우발적인 중독으로 인해 침을 더 많이 흘릴 수 있습니다.
• 치료를 위해 발치, 수술 또는 화학요법이 권장될 수 있습니다.
• 규칙적인 양치질은 고양이의 과도한 침흘림을 예방하는 데 도움이 됩니다.

고양이의 입과 사람의 입은 음식을 축축하게 할 뿐만 아니라 건조함을 방지하기 위해 끊임없이 타액을 생성합니다. 타액에는 또한 고양이를 깨끗하게 유지하고 상처를 더 빨리 치유하는 데 도움이 되는 항균제가 포함되어 있습니다. 완벽하게 건강한 노령 고양이조차도 일반적으로 침을 흘리며 일부 고양이는 태어날 때부터 드리블을 합니다. Patty Khuly 박사는 "소소하지만 상당한 비율의 고양이가 긍정적인 자극에 반응하여 침을 흘리는 것 같습니다. 일반적으로 갸르릉거리거나 복종적으로 몸을 구르거나 얼굴을 문지르는 등의 증상을 동반합니다."라고 말합니다. "이 고양이들 중 대부분은 평생 '행복한 침을 흘리는 사람'이 될 것입니다."

그러나 고양이가 침을 흘리게 할 수 있는 심각한 건강 상태가 있습니다.

• 타액 과다 분비라고도 하는 안검증은 신경 기능 장애로 인해 발생할 수 있습니다.
• 고양이의 멀미는 신경계와 관련이 있습니다. 자동차로 여행하는 고양이는 진정제를 투여해도 침을 흘리는 경우가 많습니다.
• 광견병, 뇌병증, 뇌암과 같은 질병은 안면 신경이나 식도 신경에 영향을 미치는 외상이나 기타 상태 외에도 침을 흘리게 할 수 있습니다.
• 침샘에 영향을 미치는 종양, 염증 또는 외상으로 인해 고양이가 침을 흘리게 됩니다.
• 고양이의 침을 흘리는 가장 흔한 원인은 나쁜 치아 건강입니다. 치주 질환, 치은염, 치아 농양은 애완동물에게 상당한 통증과 타액 분비 과잉을 유발합니다.
• Accidental poisoning in cats is the second most common cause of drooling, whether the toxin is a household chemical, human food, venomous creature, or plant.

Many medical conditions have similar symptoms and are easily confused, making a veterinarian’s professional diagnosis necessary. If you suspect your pet is ill or injured, you can always call a local vet clinic and explain the situation; most are more than happy to advise you of the situation’s seriousness.

If the drooling is caused by an underlying condition, other symptoms may be present. Cats with dental trauma or disease may also have bad breath, swollen gums, and loss of appetite. Tumors often present with varied symptoms depending on their location, but sudden weight loss, visible lumps, or excessive meowing due to pain are general signs of cancer in cats.

If your pet has been poisoned – depending on the substance – it should be treated as a medical emergency! Vomiting and diarrhea may occur, depending on the toxin. Common cat poisons include lilies, antifreeze, marijuana, raisins, and alcohol. Many human foods and indoor plants aren’t safe for felines, so always consult your vet or the Pet Poison Hotline‘s handy guide.

Treatment

Depending on the cause of your cat’s drooling, treatment could be as simple as a tooth extraction or as complex as surgery and chemotherapy for cancerous tumors. Often a dental cleaning is needed to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar on a pet’s teeth, a procedure that requires anesthesia and is excluded from most pet insurance coverage.

Emergency treatment for a poisoned pet involves purging the toxin from their system, typically through a combination of induced vomiting, charcoal, or intravenous fluids. Lilies, for example, are extremely harmful to a cat’s kidneys; an IV drip is necessary to flush out the toxin, while overnight monitoring ensures the danger has passed. This rehydration is also essential for pets who have vomited or suffered from diarrhea.

예방

Brushing your cat’s teeth can prevent plaque and tartar formation, as well as painful gingivitis.  Abscessed teeth can also result from a combination of too many treats and too little brushing. Try a fish- or chicken-flavored toothpaste, along with a small fingertip toothbrush for cats! Start by acclimating your pet to being held and having the brush rubbed across their gums, and gradually progress to thorough brushing. For cats averse to toothbrushing, ask your vet about other home dental care options. Keeping your cat’s teeth clean and healthy is the most effective way to prevent excess drooling.

If your cat has been given a clean bill of health but is still drooling, your only solution may be a good ol’ fashioned towel on the lap. Eating may be difficult for cats suffering from periodontal disease, so consult your vet to see if special food or nutritional supplements are needed. Wet food is often easier for toothless or elderly cats, as it requires less saliva to moisten and eat.

Like anything and everything to do with felines, determining why a cat is drooling can be a complicated process. There are many illnesses and injuries that can cause drooling, so it’s best to consult a veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis. Sometimes the behavior may be entirely benign, but better safe than sorry!

Adult cats should visit the vet once yearly, a senior cat should visit the vet every six months, and kittens should visit the vet according to their vaccination schedule. Paying attention to your pet for any sudden changes in behavior, like drooling, is important; careful observation may allow you to detect a serious condition early, improving the likelihood of successful treatment.