Macroglossia is the medical term for an abnormally large tongue. The name comes from macro which means large and glossia which means tongue. It is not when the tongue is simply big, but when it is severely enlarged causing cosmetic and functional difficulties including speaking, eating, swallowing and sleeping. The tongue protrudes beyond the teeth during a normal resting period. Dogs with this condition cannot fit their tongues all the way in their mouth, hence it's always hanging out, often off to the side. They have difficulty drinking and eating and usually make a mess when drinking from a water bowl.
That one-to-two inch tongue hang-out is normal for her. The vet told Babyface the English Bulldog's owners that her tongue is simply too long for her mouth. It NEVER goes all the way in.
Stoney the Boxer shown here at 6-years-old has macroglossia. Her owner says, "You should see the mess she makes with a bowl of water due to her very large, long tongue!"
Stoney the Boxer shown here at 6-years-old has macroglossia
Newborn toy breed puppy with macroglossia
Newborn toy breed puppy with macroglossia
Newborn toy breed puppy with macroglossia
Bottle feeding a newborn toy breed puppy with macroglossia.—"The pup can get some suction at the base of his tongue. I can get 4cc of milk into him. He needs to drink 9cc for his age and size so I tube feed him the rest."
Tubefeeding a newborn toy breed puppy with macroglossia
Tubefeeding a newborn toy breed puppy with macroglossia.
Newborn toy breed puppy with macroglossia sleeping. Notice the excess tongue that does not fit inside his mouth
Newborn toy breed puppy with macroglossia sleeping.
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