Ptyalism is the excessive production of saliva. Pseudoptyalism, meanwhile, is the excessive release of saliva that has accumulated in the oral cavity. It is an extremely common complaint in ferrets and is usually associated with nausea.
Although saliva is constantly produced and secreted into the oral cavity from the salivary glands, salivation increases because of excitation of the salivary nuclei in the brain stem. Stimuli that lead to this are taste and tactile sensations involving the mouth and tongue. Higher centers in the central nervous system can also excite or inhibit the salivary impulse. Other conditions that can stimulate excessive salivation include lesions of the central nervous system or oral cavity and diseases affecting the pharynx, esophagus, and stomach.
Young animals are more likely to have ptyalism caused by ingestion of a toxin, caustic agent, or foreign body. Older animals are more likely to have ptyalism due to nausea from gastrointestinal or metabolic disease.
Ferrets with ptyalism are also prone to eating behavior changes such as refusal to eat hard food, frequent dropping of food, and eating while holding the head in an unusual position. Other behavioral change include irritability, aggressiveness, and reclusiveness, especially in ferrets that are in extreme pain.
Metabolic Disorders
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Esophageal Disorders
Oral and Pharynx Diseases
Neurologic Disorders
Drugs and Toxins, especially those that are
Salivary Gland Diseases
There are many different causes for ptyalism. You will need to give a thorough history of your ferret's health, including vaccination status, current medications, possible toxin exposure, a background history of symptoms, and any other possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition. Your doctor will need to distinguish between hypersalivation associated with a condition that is causing difficulty swallowing from hypersalivation associated with nausea. Depression, lip smacking, and retching are some of the signs your veterinarian will look for.
Your veterinarian will also want to give your ferret a complete physical examination, with special attention paid to the oral cavity and neck, along with a neurologic examination. Diagnostic tools may include X-ray and ultrasound imaging to determine whether there is a problem in the structure of the liver, kidney, or in any other internal organs. If an immune-related disorder is suspected, your veterinarian may also want to conduct a biopsy of tissue and cells.