Hi everyone!
I have a horse that has been drooling off and on for about a year. I have tried numerous avenues to diagnose and remedy the problem but so far nothing has worked. I really could use some advice on what could be going on. He has been treated for hind gut ulcers (all clear now), stomach scoped, allergy tested, hair analysis done, has had regular dental and chiropractic work, dewormed including a power pak, made dietary changes, done blood work & even had his tear ducts flushed but he is still grumpy & drooling. Any ideas on what could be wrong? Thanks for your input!
Hmm, I was going to suggest a scope to see about ulcers, or a teeth check to see about dental needs. That’s a tough one.
Clover slobbers? (Which is technically not about clover but about a fungus that grows in damp places.)
https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/horse-care/327711-clover-slobbers
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I live in the desert. It seems like an allergy but different than clover slobbers. And it’s all seasons. Sometimes there is a little puddle in his stall but to make it more frustrating, he can have 3 or 4 days when he seems fine. Sometimes his hair coat takes on a bumpy look which makes me think allergy but we have removed anything from his diet and environment that he tested positive for. I have added bee pollen, spirulina & garlic in hopes of boosting his immune system but at this point, I am basically throwing anything @ the tack room wall & waiting for something to stick!
We had one that did that. It was after surgery to remove a growth and her salivary gland was damaged. Plus there was some neuro damage to her lip. She ultimately recovered from it. Possibly something going on with the nerve in that area for your guy?
I would investigate more into dental work. A lot of times when a horse’s teeth are floated (esp when done by someone who is not a dental specialist), a comprehensive mouth exam isn’t done and things can be missed. It might also be worth having xray’s done to the mouth/jaw–there might be something below the gum line.
I had a horse who was funny about her mouth and had my vet look at her multiple time, her teeth were floated and checked, and still the same problem. Finally got a dental specialist out who did a comprehensive mouth exam and found a TINY, but raw mouth ulcer when in the back of the horse’s cheek. Treated the mouth ulcer, horse’s mouth funniness went away. My vet was fantastic, but she wasn’t a dental specialist and din’t have the equipment needed to do all that investigating in the mouth.
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Get a head/jaw xray.
Ditto! Time for a CT scan or an x-ray of the head.
My young horse drooled until his teeth were done. Dentist said he had cuts on the sides of the base of his tongue from sharp teeth and that the saliva works to cure the cuts. It ceased after the float
I’ve had three drooling episodes (other than clover-time of year) which upon full exam of mouth using speculum and headlamp, revealed, 1. trauma to tongue which required stitches, 2. a chipped tooth with the loose piece embedded sideways between the tooth and gum, 3. embedded foxtail. Also resolved immediately once we found the issue.
I agree about another dental exam and xray.
Thanks everyone for your responses. X-rays, CT & maybe even ultra sound will be next. We have a dental specialist who has done a thorough inspection of his mouth as well as floated his teeth annually for several years. Had two other equine dentists check his mouth just to be sure nothing was missed as well as numerous vets. Plus the internist looked around his mouth with the scope before scoping his stomach. This has been a very frustrating case! The vets just scratch their heads and say I don’t know. I’m not giving up on him though. Thanks again!
I have a drooler, Teeth fine, tummy fine, no clover or foxtails. It’s just who he is. I did notice he is like a dog in that it is more noticeable just before meal time, and absent after he eats.
