今朝までなんともなかったのに、仕事から帰ってきたら舌が出てる。【再】
Posts like, "My dog/cat was fine this morning, but suddenly its tongue is sticking out after I got home from work – I'm so worried!" are trending on social media and online forums.
While it might look cute, this could be a sign of heatstroke, oral health issues, or even a serious underlying illness.
Many pet owners, surprised by this change, are sharing their experiences and receiving floods of advice from seasoned pet parents.
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"Panting" and Respiratory Diseases
The state of a pet, especially a dog, "sticking out its tongue and breathing rapidly" is generally called "panting." This is a physiological action performed for thermoregulation. However, abnormal panting or panting observed in cats, which usually do not pant, requires attention. In dogs, panting is normal after exercise in a hot environment or when excited. But if it continues excessively even in a cool place, if breathing sounds are abnormal (wheezing, whistling, etc.), or if the tongue appears bluish-purple (cyanosis), it could indicate heatstroke or a respiratory disease. Examples include tracheal collapse, pneumonia, heart failure, or pulmonary edema. Panting in cats is less common than in dogs, and if observed, it is often a highly urgent sign. Cats are adept at hiding pain, and panting can be seen in respiratory diseases, heart disease, extreme stress, or the final stages of heatstroke. This situation typically warrants an immediate visit to a veterinary hospital. Veterinarians will use various methods to identify the cause, including anamnesis, visual inspection, auscultation, as well as blood tests, X-rays, and ultrasound examinations. Small dogs, brachycephalic breeds, and elderly dogs and cats are at a higher risk of respiratory diseases, so it is crucial for owners to regularly observe their pet's breathing status and consult a veterinarian early if they notice any abnormality.
Oral Diseases (Periodontal Disease, Stomatitis)
When pets exhibit symptoms like sticking out their tongue, pawing at their mouth, or refusing to eat, oral diseases are often the cause. The most common is periodontal disease, where plaque and tartar accumulate, leading to gum inflammation, pain, and bleeding. Severe periodontal disease can not only cause loose or lost teeth but also carries the risk of oral bacteria entering the bloodstream and spreading throughout the body, causing serious conditions like heart or kidney disease. Stomatitis is common in cats and is known to be associated with feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection, and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection. Feline stomatitis often causes severe pain, leading to loss of appetite, drooling, and aversion to having their mouth touched. Leaving the tongue out could be an attempt to avoid painful areas or a reaction to discomfort from inflammation. While these diseases can be prevented with regular brushing and dental care products, once they progress, professional treatment is necessary. Veterinary hospitals may consider anesthesia-assisted scaling (tartar removal), tooth extraction, administration of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, and in severe cases, surgical intervention. Early detection and appropriate treatment are essential for maintaining the pet's quality of life (QOL).
Neurological Abnormalities
In rare cases, if a pet is unable to control its tongue and keeps it sticking out, a neurological abnormality in the brain or nervous system may be a possibility. This refers to a condition where the muscles that move the tongue, or the nerves that send commands to those muscles, are not functioning normally. Specifically, neurological disorders such as brain tumors, encephalitis, cerebral infarction, or facial nerve paralysis can be considered. These conditions often accompany other various neurological symptoms, in addition to tongue abnormalities, such as staggering, seizures, nystagmus (abnormal eye movements), facial paralysis, and changes in behavior (lethargy, altered consciousness). Particular attention is required if such symptoms appear suddenly in an elderly pet. Diagnosis may require advanced imaging techniques such as CT or MRI, in addition to detailed neurological examinations. Treatment varies depending on the underlying disease but may include steroid administration to suppress inflammation, anticonvulsant drugs, and in cases of brain tumors, surgical intervention or radiation therapy may be considered. Neurological abnormalities can progress rapidly and are often life-threatening, so if you notice anything "out of the ordinary," it is crucial to visit a veterinary hospital as soon as possible and have your pet examined by a specialist. Early detection and appropriate intervention significantly affect the pet's prognosis.