Cat drooling

IMPORTANT: If your cat is in any distress or discomfort, please consult your own vet as your first priority.
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eliselove1
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Cat drooling

Post by eliselove1 »

Hey guys, I'm new here. I've signed up for a bit of advice really.

So my cat Memphis is roughly two and a half years old. She was found as a tiny kitten in a bush by my friend and she took her home and raised her. I then adopted her when she was roughly twelve weeks and have had her ever since. She's an indoor cat. We got her a 'sister' Phoenix about a year or so later.
Anyways, yesterday I noticed that when she came to rub my face like she normally does, her breath smelt. I thought it was a bit odd but put it down to the tuna she'd eaten for dinner that evening.
Today whilst sat at my pc, she jumped up on the desk and her mouth was wet. I watched her as she sat in front of me and drool was dripping out of her mouth, almost dripping like a slow tap!
I got some tissue and cleaned up all the puddles. Her breath now doesn't smell.
I found her sleeping on my bed tonight, and where she had been led, is sopping wet where she's been drooling.

I've checked inside her mouth and cannot see anything untoward (no foreign objects) her gums are a normal colour and her teeth are white. She doesn't seem too fussed about me touching her face or mouth. It's definatley drool, and it's clear. She's also still eating her dinner.
I'll be phoning the vets as soon as they open tomorrow in the hope they can squeeze us in. Has anybody had issues like this?

Also, on an unrelated note, I've also found that she breathes funny. So if she's having a little snooze, you can really hear her breathing. It's like how someone would sound if they had a bunged up nose...sort of. You can also hear her breathing is quite laboured in places. You can't always hear it. She's always been like it. Maybe I'm over reacting.
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Janey
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Re: Cat drooling

Post by Janey »

Hiya, some cats drool when they are being petted and that can be a lot! One of mine used to do this and wet us through lol. Cats can also drool if they have mouth problems, e.g. teeth issues, but at 2 1/2 years old that’s highly unlikely. My guess would be that it’s just the petting and you have a drooler but good to check with the vet too. Do let us know how you go on.
Antonio
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Re: Cat drooling

Post by Antonio »

Hi eliselove1,
I second what Janey said, some cats drool when petted. My cat does that, and she didn't do it until a year or so ago, so sometimes they change their habits ;)
Have you noticed if she can eat normally? Have you noticed if she loses some little bits of food while eating, especially her kibbles?
If her gums are fine, not swollen or inflammated, and her teeth are clean, please check all the rest, like her palate and under her tongue.
My cat now at the Rainbow Bridge, had a serious problem under her tongue and the visit with a specialist didn't revealed it. She was misdiagnosed with a gingivitis and I was adviced to bush her teeth daily... though brushing her teeth was a good thing to do, it wasn't the solution, unfortunately... :(
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Ruth B
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Re: Cat drooling

Post by Ruth B »

As the other say, some cats do drool, but it is well worth getting her checked anyway.

One of mine has viral gingivitis and his breath always smells, he's now about 3 years old but I first noticed his bad breath not long after we had him sometime between him being 6 months and 1 year old. His teeth are fine but his gums are a inflamed and there nothing that can be done. I have actually been advised not to try and clean his teeth, they are clean anyway and the brush could damage the gums even more. Having his teeth out might help but there is no guarantee and apart from bad breath you wouldn't know anything was wrong with him, so we are leaving his teeth until he seems to have problems and then try removing them in hope it will help, of course it is all being done as advised by our vet.

Bad breath can also be a sign of stomach problems, or drooling could be linked to a respiratory infection, which might also explain the breathing sounds.

With so many variables the best option is a vet check, and hopefully it is nothing serious and you will just need to keep a box of tissues close at hand to wipe up the drool.
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Lilith
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Re: Cat drooling

Post by Lilith »

Hi and welcome - yes I agree with the others, vet check is a good idea but some cats just do slaver from sheer affection.

At my vet's surgery there used to be a resident ex-stray known as Sniffles; he was a lovely old tabby chap and he'd visit reception for a love and a fuss and there always used to be a box of tissues handy to mop up after him (naturally he was very well cared for with all those vets and nurses but still he snuffled and drooled.)

I remember when my Mouse was due for a dental (at almost 15) she'd gas me with 'fishy breff'' oh and her father (they were both ex-feral) was the EXPERT at toothy wet kisses ... fangs for the memory, Finnbar!

But your girl's pretty young to be having dental problems, hope all is well and please let us know how she goes on :)
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