The Reasons Why Bulldogs Drool
Bulldogs drool for a variety of reasons, some common to all dogs, such as seeing any food. However, there are other reasons specifically associated with the breed’s physical characteristics. Let’s explain them:
Brachycephalic dogs: face, skull and upper airway shape
The main problem that affects this breed has to do with its physical characteristics. This breed has a very shortened skull. But beware! The other ’tissues’ housed in this skull are the same dimensions as those of a dog with normal facial bones.
Thus, brachycephalic dogs have the necessary facial tissue to cover and align the muzzle like a normal dog, but no room to accommodate it. This situation causes many problems for the animal.
Bulldog Breathing Problems
It’s possible that the soft palate inside the bulldog’s mouth doesn’t fit the available space. As a result, it can protrude into the dog’s airway at the rear and partially block the flow.
Also, the nasal passages may be closed rather than open (stenotic) and the airway itself may be very small. Therefore, sleep apnea is very common in this breed.
As a result, the bulldog has compromised breathing capacity. So much so that, in some cases, major surgery may be necessary so that he can breathe freely.
Problems with controlling body temperature that influence bulldog drooling
This flat-faced feature not only causes respiratory problems, but also prevents effective cooling.
Dogs generally reduce their body temperature quickly through heavy breathing. Panting is an automated process that provides rapid movement of air through the moist membranes of the mouth and nasal cavities.
Evaporation of watery saliva cools the blood in the underlying tissues and therefore lowers body temperature. To illustrate, we can imagine that the mouth, nasal passages and blood circulatory system are similar to the radiator and water circulation system that are used to cool a car engine.
The reason for salivation and the fact that bulldogs drool profusely
From this data, it is possible to understand that, in general, dogs can efficiently produce watery saliva, and blood vessels in the mouth and nasal passages are numerous to ensure that the cooling effect effectively reduces the blood temperature. All this to make the circulation of cooled blood lower body temperature.
Since the efficiency of this heat loss depends on the area of moist tissue that extends along the normal canine muzzle, flat-faced dogs are thought to have increased saliva production. That’s why bulldogs drool constantly.
Other Bulldog Cooling Problems
Considering the anatomy of the bulldog, the occurrence of esophageal deviation can promote the retention of saliva and food and can explain, in part, the excessive salivation when the animal is agitated.
Bulldog gastroesophageal disorders (regurgitation, vomiting, and reflux) can aggravate respiratory symptoms by blocking the pharyngeal region and stimulating persistent inflammation.
It is important to highlight that there is a close relationship between respiratory and digestive problems. In this breed, it is common for most animals to ‘vomit’ large amounts of saliva when they are agitated, stressed or have difficulty breathing.
Treatment
Generally, surgical treatment seeks early relief of localized obstruction through rhinoplasty. The influence of surgical treatment of the upper airways on the improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms is known. Surgery increases the diameter of the nostrils and helps improve nasal flow.
In short, by understanding the reasons why bulldogs constantly drool, we can help them by seeking advice from a veterinarian and considering the options available to make these animals feel their best.
