Drool on Chest Fur

neuroleptical · 05-19-2003, 10:39 AM

I have recently began noticing that Cub seems to be drooling a bit on her chin & chest. She is eating normally but, as some of you know, she refuses to eat *any* hay: oat hay from Oxbow, local timothy, anything.

I am concerned that this may be affecting her teeth, causing the drooling.
I am going to take her to the exotics vet when I get paid this month, which should be in about 2 weeks, but I am wondering if anyone else knows why the drooling might be happening, & whether it even warrants a trip to the vet. Thanks.

Rod · 05-19-2003, 10:43 AM

Yeah that's what I'd suggest as drooling is definatly a symptom of teeth problems. I haven't read anything about other reasons for drooling myself.

But as always, when dealing in medicine my opinion is just that it is in no way a professional opinion.

Solarsis · 05-19-2003, 10:55 AM

I would defiately take her to see the vet. Drooling is almost always a symptom of teeth problem and you need to get that under control ASAP.

SIChins · 05-19-2003, 11:33 AM

I agree, drooling is usually a sign of teeth problems, but last year, I had a chin that was drooling, and it turned out to be a hay sliver caught in the mouth. Is she pawing at her mouth at all?

Denise · 05-19-2003, 11:34 AM

I agree with what Sophie and Rod said. Drooling is a definite sign of teeth problems. Because Cub does not eat hay, this could cause teeth problems. She probably needs her teeth filed. Let us know what happens when you take her to the vet.

neuroleptical · 05-19-2003, 11:37 AM

She isn't pawing much. The drool isn't constant. It seems to be dried on her chin & chest. I have never actually seen Cub slobbering, but this has to be saliva on her fur.
An aside: can *anyone* think of *any way* to get her to eat hay?? Can I put mollasses on it or something? Should I spend $40 Canadian to try orchard grass from Oxbow? (She wouldn't eat the other kinds of hay she tried).

SIChins · 05-19-2003, 11:37 AM

sorry, I missed the part about not eating hay

I guess it's time for me to wake up now huh?

SIChins · 05-19-2003, 11:41 AM

You could try to find some really sweet smelling local hay, if you have a feed store near you, a lot of times they will make a bag up for you. It is super fine and has a wonderful smell to it.

Solarsis · 05-19-2003, 11:41 AM

I think tIcketyboo was the one who suggested spraying cranberry juice on your chinny's chew toys. I wonder if this would work for hay as well? It's well worth the try anyway

katescritters · 05-19-2003, 11:42 AM

Is there any chance she's pregnant? Pregnant guinea pig sows sometimes drool from deficiancies in their diet, but I have no idea if the same thing happens in chins.