Ptyalism – excessive salivation

Ptyalism is when a guinea pig produces excessive saliva. This can be as a result of more than one cause and can lead to sore skin around the guinea pigs face, as well as creating an environment for bacteria to thrive and create an infection. This, in turn, can be a predisposing factor for conditions such as flystrike, so it is important not to ignore the sign.

Dental disease is by far the most common reasons for guinea pigs to exhibit signs of ptyalism. Guinea pigs that have dental disease within their family history are much more likely to develop it during their lives. Those guinea pigs that don't eat large quantities of hay/grass or suffer trauma to the teeth are also at high risk of dental problems, so the problem may not become apparent until later in life.

Some guinea pigs have flatter faces than others, and may be more at risk of dental disease, simply because the guinea pig's face is not the correct shape for the teeth to sit properly. This is seen more commonly in certain breeds of dogs, rabbits and cats.

Dental disease is often painful as a result of the teeth not wearing down properly, and sharp spikes can dig into the guinea pig’s tongue or cheeks, leading to the excessive salivation. Added to this the molar (back) teeth can grow and bridge over the tongue making it impossible for the guinea pig to eat and difficult to swallow (have you tried eating and swallowing when you cannot move your tongue?). This leads to the saliva dribbling out of the mouth.

Bitter or foul-tasting food items or medication may cause some degree of ptyalism, but this is likely to be self-limiting and resolve after a few minutes.

An item of food stuck within the oral cavity may also cause excessive salivation. This may not be inherently obvious, as the guinea pig may still be able to eat normally.

Tumours/abscesses can invade the oral cavity. Abscesses are often associated to dental disease.

Depending upon the cause, guinea pigs that have ptyalism may be in some discomfort. Any guinea pig in pain is likely to have a reduced appetite or may be completely anorexic. They also produce fewer or no droppings, may sit hunched up, become lethargic and look generally miserable. If they are not eating and drinking normally they will rapidly lose weight and body condition and become dehydrated.

Guinea pigs may also develop hair loss, especially around the mouth or under the chin or form thickened skin folds. Other symptoms may include:

• Weight loss with a decreased interest in food or unusual chewing habits.
• A foul odor from the mouth, discharge/pus from the facial area.
• Uneven facial symmetry.
• Nasal discharge.
• Grinding teeth (bruxism).
• Excess tear production.

Your veterinarian will want to conduct a full clinical and dental examination, which is sometimes necessary under general anesthetic to ensure every part of the mouth is fully examined properly. It may also be necessary to take radiographs of the guinea pig’s skull to assess the tooth roots and jaw if a tumor or abscess is suspected.

Treatment depends on the cause of the problem.

If dental issues are found to be the cause, then the guinea pig will need a general anesthetic to remove sharp edges on the teeth and potentially extraction of any problematic teeth. This is very likely to be a lifelong problem and the guinea pig will need repeated dentals over the course of its lifetime. Dietary alterations, to increase the hay volume in the diet, are strongly recommended.

Supportive treatment is often required since many guinea pigs with dental problems are often anorexic or have a reduced appetite. This may include:

• Fluid therapy.
• Syringe feeding.
• Pain relief.
• Prokinetic medication (to keep the gastrointestinal tract moving).
• Antibiotics are sometimes likely to be needed if an infection is present.

Tumors or abscesses are sometimes treatable with surgery, although this depends on the location and size of the tumor/abscess – many involving the skull are impossible to remove.

Food stuck within the oral cavity will need sedation or general anesthetic to remove and to check for damage or infection. It is also important to understand why the problem has arisen in the first place to stop it from happening again.

Dental issues are normally manageable with a change in diet to one high in fiber and roughage, and regular dental examinations so symptoms are caught before they become severe.

Tumors and abscesses may be surgically removed or manageable with pain relief, but sadly sometimes euthanasia is the only option for these guinea pigs since their pain cannot be controlled and/or their condition managed.

Guinea pigs that have ptyalism often get a sore/bald chin due to the excessive and constant saliva. It is important to try to keep this protected by applying a barrier cream such as Vaseline; this can help to protect the skin and stop it becoming sore and irritated.