In the world of Schnauzers, drooling is almost non-existent. Their double coat, limited shedding, and low tendency to drool are all things that make Schnauzers a lovely, hypoallergenic breed. If you are noticing some extra slobber from your Schnauzer, it’s time to pay attention. Schnauzers are such “low droolers” that any sudden or excessive salivation could be cause for concern. Here are the facts you need to know.
Why is my Schnauzer suddenly drooling? Schnauzers do not drool much at all, but they may suddenly and excessively begin drooling because of serious health issues such as Muscular Dsytrophy. Drooling can also be caused by mouth tumors, poisoning, allergic reactions, infectious diseases, and seizures.
Schnauzers generally have a low tendency to drool. However, there are some rare genetic diseases, overall health issues, and even critical health issues that might cause increased drooling in Schnauzers.
We all know that Schnauzers are not known for excessive drooling. In fact, your Schnauzer will typically swallow his saliva in a manner that doesn’t progress to drool. It’s one of the many things we all love about Schnauzers!
Having said that, saliva production in dogs is a normal reaction to stimulation. This saliva production could be due to a response to excitement, or just because your Schnauzer knows he is about to receive a treat.
However, especially with Schnauzers, what is not normal is excessive drooling. In fact, sudden and excessive drooling could be an indication of a particularly serious condition.
We’ll cover that rare genetic problem, other serious issues, and finish with some less serious reasons for sudden drooling…covering a total of 15 causes for drool you need to know.
A Rare Genetic Condition That Causes Drooling: Muscular Dystrophy
Even though your Schnauzer will not normally drool, there is a specific rare genetic condition that might cause him to suddenly start drooling. This rare genetic condition interferes with your Schnauzer’s ability to swallow saliva.
Muscular Dystrophy in Miniature Schnauzers
What we are talking about here is Muscular Dystrophy, which is a progressive disease resulting in loss of muscle mass. The progression of the disease causes your Schnauzer to lose the ability to swallow saliva, due to weakened mouth muscles. The result is excessive drooling, even while sleeping.
Muscular Dystrophy is most common in Miniature Schnauzers and, if it has been inherited, will begin showing up at around 1 year of age.
How to Manage Muscular Dystrophy
If your Schnauzer has suddenly started drooling and you suspect Muscular Dystrophy is the cause, the first step it to contact your veterninarian.
She would need to be sedated so that your veterinarian can take a muscle biopsy. The biopsy is then analyzed to help diagnose the problem and confirm or eliminate Muscular Dystrophy.
If your Schnauzer is positively diagnosed with the disease, she can be treated with steroids, but there is no cure.
Depending on your veterinarian’s expertise, you may also need to work with a specialty practice for long-term management of the disease. However, knowing the cause is half the battle and will be a positive step forward.
Additional Serious Reasons Your Schnauzer May Start Drooling
If your Schnauzer has not inherited Muscular Dystrophy, the cause of sudden and excessive drooling can still be serious.
Let’s take a look at the additional concerning reasons you Schnauzer may be drooling, all of which require a visit with the vet.
• Severe Allergic Reaction. Your Schnauzer may drool when affected by a severe allergic reaction. This should be treated as a medical emergency. If your Schnauzer experiences drooling and sudden swelling in his tongue, face, or lips, an allergic reaction is probably the culprit. Some allergic reactions can be life-threatening and should not be taken lightly.
• Poisoning. Certain poisons will cause drooling, which is an indication that your Schnauzer should be immediately be seen by your veterinarian for further observation and treatment. If the poisoning is especially severe, your Schnauzer may start foaming in the mouth. Protect your Schnauzer from eating poisonous animals, plants, and other substances. Read my articles Which Human Foods Should My Schnauzer NEVER Eat, These Household Products and Plants will Kill Your Schnauzer, and Do Schnauzers Kill Small Pets and Mice? for critical lists of items to avoid and how to handle poisoning.
• Infectious Diseases. Rabies is one contagious disease that will cause your Schnauzer to drool. Other specific forms of Distemper will also lead to drooling and foaming. These diseases will require urgent medical care as the health of your Schnauzer is at stake. A disease like rabies is also a danger to humans who, if bitten, can also become infected.
• Seizures. Your Schnauzer will most likely drool when he is experiencing a seizure. You may also note that your Schnauzer is losing control of bowel and urinary functions. A Schnauzer who has suffered a seizure will also show changes his pupils and have a lack of coordination. You should contact your veterinarian immediately and also read my article Your Schnauzer is Prone to Seizures (What to Do) for essential details.
• Tumors. Tumors can develop in your Schnauzer’s mouth and cause drooling. These kinds of tumors could be cancerous and therefore present a significant threat to your Schnauzer’s life. It is essential that you work with your veterinarian to get a biopsy of the tumor and diagnose whether it is cancerous or not. Once you know the state of the tumor, your veterinarian can develop a plan for removing it or treating the cancer.
• Stroke. If your Schnauzer had suffered a stroke, he may lose control of some of his muscles. If a stroke affects the muscles in his mouth and he loses the ability to swallow normally, he may drool. Of course, your veterinarian can help to determine the cause of the stroke and develop a treatment plan for recovery.
• Kidney Failure. Although there are other symptoms such as lethargy, thirst, loss of appetite, and bad breath, this systemic failure will also cause your Schnauzer to drool. This is a life-threatening failure that should be addressed by your veterinarian.
• Dental Disease. The buildup of tartar can cause your Schnauzer to drool, especially when the tarter buildup rubs against your Schnauzer’s lip. It is essential to check if your Schnauzer is suffering from such a condition. The solution could be engaging with a professional cleaning service provider, who will ensure that your Schnauzer is cleaned properly. Schnauzers are actually prone to bad teeth and keeping up on dental health is essential. Read my article Your Schnauzer Has Genetically Bat Teeth (What to Do) for the details you need.
• Heat Stroke. You may notice that your Schnauzer is drooling after a strenuous sporting activity in the sun, which could be leading to heatstroke. If you suspect that your Schnauzer is suffering from heatstroke, immediately take him to shade and give him small sips of cool water to drink. You should observe him, keep him cool, and take him to your veterinarian. Read my article Can Schnauzers Hack the Hot Weather (How to Help) for essential sun and hot weather safety information.
As a general rule, if your Schnauzer begins drooling suddenly and excessively, take note of any other new symptoms you notice. Be alert to anything he has eaten or touched. Combing the drooling symptom with anything else you notice will help both you and your veterinarian determine the cause more quickly.
Less Serious Reasons Why Schnauzers Drool
Sometimes drooling is annoying and messy, but not life-threatening. Since Schnauzers are not known to drool excessively, any change can be a first sign of a developing problem…even if it is not currently serious.
If you notice a change in your Schnauzer’s drool, stay alert to his environment, additional behavior, and additional symptoms.
Here are a few additional reasons your Schnauzer may begin drooling suddenly. While these are not necessarily life-threatening, they should all be addressed.
• Foreign Objects Stuck in Mouth. While rare, it is possible for your Schnauzer to get something lodged in his mouth. It could be something as simple as having something lodged in his teeth. The result will clearly be discomfort and drooling. A first step with any sudden drooling is to simply inspect your Schnauzer’s mouth.
• Injuries to Your Schnauzers Mouth. If your Schnauzer is suffering from bites, cuts, or scrapes inside his mouth, it may lead to drooling. His salivary glands will inherently produce more saliva to protect the injury from infections. If needed, your veterinarian can prescribe medications that will help the wounds heal.
• Motion Sickness. When your Schnauzer is not used to traveling in a car, he is bound to feel nauseated. This could also make your Schnauzer feel nervous. One of the signs of anxiety is panting and heavy breathing with an open mouth, and this will cause your Schnauzer to drool. Try to help your Schnauzer be comfortable while traveling with a secure crate or harness, and his favorite toy or blanket. If your Schnauzer seems to be suffering from motion sickness, you can try a supplement that helps to treat canine motion sickness.
• Excessive emotions. Either agitation or excitement can cause your Schnauzer to drool. Fortunately, once your Schnauzer’s emotions settle, he should ease up on the drooling.
• Smelling Food. When the smell of food has stimulated your Schnauzer, he is most likely going to drool. Generally speaking however, even if your Schnauzer is salivating over his meal, you will not even notice.
Because a low tendency to drool is one of the things we all love about our Schnauzers, addressing sudden slobber is key to maintaining our fur friend’s health.
While the sudden onset might not be serious and just a temporary overreaction to stimulation, chances are that it’s something more serious. Taking time to figure out what is causing the salivation change will keep your Schnauzer on a healthy, happy road.
And finally, from one pet parent to another, discover my all-time favorite resources designed to cover your every Schnauzer need. I’ve done the legwork for you so you can spend more time with the people and fur friends in your life.
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