Excessive Drooling in a Great Dane: Henry Gets Bloat

Regardless of how much your dog might typically drool, take note when they start hyper-salivating more than usual.

That is especially true when your dog is showing other signs of distress, such as:

  • panting
  • pacing
  • swollen, painful abdomen
  • distress
  • restlessness
  • labored breathing
  • unproductive retching

If your dog is showing these signs, rush them to a veterinarian immediately.

Excessive Drooling in a Great Dane: Henry Gets Bloat

Henry’s story

Henry was a five-year-old Great Dane. He was indeed a gentle giant, affectionate and loving. He enjoyed every minute of his life–playtime, walks with his family, and cuddling. Ignoring their size, these guys love to cuddle.

Henry was in great health. Yes, Henry was a drooler. It wasn’t all his fault. He got excited at the thought of food or treats, but also, their facial anatomy makes Great Danes drool more than most other breeds. So how could his parents tell there was anything unusual about the waterworks?

That afternoon, after they returned from a walk, Henry didn’t seem himself. Not only was he drooling but became restless and wouldn’t settle down. Something was not right. His parents tried to comfort Henry and get him to settle down, but he wouldn’t. Instead, Henry’s breathing became labored too. Something was very wrong, and it was time to seek help.

At the veterinarian

His parents rushed Henry to a veterinary hospital.

The first thing the veterinarian noticed was that, aside from the signs that brought him in, Henry’s abdomen was bloated. They admitted Henry immediately as they suspected he was suffering from bloat/gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV). Great Danes are one of the breeds highly susceptible to this life-threatening condition. Without prompt treatment, GDV is almost always fatal.

Henry needed emergency surgery. Because of his parents’ prompt action, Henry survived and recovered well.

Often, susceptible breeds can get this surgery done early, during their spay or neuter.

Gastric Dilatation And Volvulus (GDV): What Causes It?

Source article:
Case Study: Henry’s Bloat

Related articles:
Excessive Drooling in Dogs: Why Is My Dog Drooling More Than Usual?
Gastric Dilatation And Volvulus (GDV): What Causes It?

Further reading:
Bloat: The Mother of All Emergencies

Categories: Dog health advocacy

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer, dog health advocate, writer, and author. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Countless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care in my own hands. I learned the hard way that merely seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough, but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to get a diagnosis. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn, and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people how to recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian, and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to save others the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did. That is the mission behind my blog and behind my writing. That is why I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, which has turned out being an award-winning guide to dog owners. What I'm trying to share encompasses 20 years of experience.

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