Help!! Vet is stumped!

[Overloadedunappreciated]

My 2 year old Staffie suddenly won't close her mouth, can't drink water without it all drooling out of her mouth, and is licking her muzzle excessively causing it to get all spitty. I panicked and took her to vet as she was foaming at mouth this lunchtime but this stopped fairly soon. She has a normal appetite but it took her ages to eat a gravy bone in front of the vet.

They said her glands, heart etc are all fine and they can't see anything in her mouth. Healthy teeth too. They want to sedate her next week to see if they can see anything, but does anyone have experience of this?

No injuries, doesn't chew sticks, fully boosted!

Has she bitten anything bitter? My cat did this when he bit a glow stick

Does she have a nasal blockage that means she can't breathe when she drinks or closes her mouth?

A stroke? Does she have weakness anywhere else in her body? Will she give you each paw in turn?

Is there any change in behaviour? Has she had her rabies jab?

Any new foods, medication? Been anywhere different lately? Drank or jumped into any questionable bodies of water?

Thank you for the replies!

I don't think she's had anything bitter unless she's been up to no good when my back has been turned!

Haven't checked her nose, thank you will give that a look.

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

I will try the paw technique thanks. My first thought was I hope it's not a stroke. There's been nothing significantly different in our routine with foods, meds etc but she does seem lethargic and quiet

They're ALWAYS up to no good when your back is turned.

How about your medications? Is anything missing? Our dog once ate my mums contraceptive pills when she forgot to shut her bedside drawer. Could she have gotten into anything? Ibuprofen? Paracetamol etc?

Dropped Jaw/Trigeminal Neuritis?

masticatory myositis?

Can she physically not close her mouth? Speaking from experience (me, not my dog) I couldn't close my mouth once and it was because I had dislocated my jaw.
Hope you get to the bottom of it and she is well again soon.

Sounds like Trigeminal neuritis, otherwise known as drop jaw.

Ought to be starting some treatment really. And it's only Wednesday - why are they waiting till next week to check this out? Specially as she can't drink.

Think I'd be on the phone to the vet again pressing for a bit more attention.

@Overloadedunappreciated
Is the jaw physically locked open?
Does she have a raised brow/surprised expression/ears pulled back? If so she needs EMERGENCY treatment for tetanus

If not then watch very carefully - could be a dislocated jaw, myositis (inflammation of the jaw muscles) or trigeminal neuralgia
She could also have a pharyngeal foreign body.

Can she drink and stay adequately hydrated?

I thought masticatory myositis. Very upsetting condition and needs prompt treatment with steroids. I'm surprised the vet hasn't mentioned it. Of course it could be a jaw injury. Worth checking he hasn't got something stuck behind his jaw. My dog used to get biscuits caught at the back of his jaw and I could feel it and manipulate it back into his mouth. If the vet has no idea he needs a specialist as it's very distressing for him .

Thank you so much for the replies. I've tried tried take a picture (ignore me hovering in the background!). Trigeminal Neuritis seems to match her symptoms but it seems to say it'll go away on its own within 2-4 weeks? She's just eaten her wet food OK but the kitchen floor is a state!

I'm concerned about fluid intake and said that to the vet but she said not to worry and that if she's thirsty she'll keep going back??

@Veterinari her ears are relaxed but not sure ift that's a surprised look??

She also makes sounds like she has too much saliva in her mouth

It's difficult without seeing a picture of her normal face but yes I'd be worried about tetanus - does she have any wrinkling on her forehead?
Any wounds/injuries in the last couple of weeks?

I think she needs attention
If it were my dog I'd want a tetanus anti - toxoid or at least a full exam with that in mind, and if not then a masticatory myositis work up

vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tetanus-in-dogs

Any updates @Overloadedunappreciated ?

I'm hoping she's doing better?

Aww I hope she’s doing better! I can’t hep with diagnosis but I would say if your vet is being very long, find another and get a second opinion. If by pure chance you live in Herts (long shot I know) you can try the Royal Veterinary college also. Expensive but they are cutting edge and helped us when our normal vet was out of ideas/continuously offering treatment that had zero effect. A second opinion would be my first port of call! xo

Hi all. No improvement today with her mouth, she still can't close it and I'm still concerned about dehydration. On the plus side, she did have a short burst of energy earlier this afternoon but can't grip her toys in her mouth to play :(

I'm minded to maybe try the emergency vet as the practice I'm registered at only has one vet so can't think how else to get a second opinion. The only thing is whether this would be covered under my insurance!

@Veterinari sorry forgot to link you to the update

Normally you can just ring a vets and get an appointment regardless of where you are ‘registered’ in my experience. If you explain on the phone you’d like a second option etc as you’re concerned normally they’ll take you no problem. You might have to wait until tomorrow am but I’m sure they’ll see you ASAP! x

I agree a second opinion may be worth it
Or perhaps call your vet and ask them about some of the suggestions in this thread?