How to Correct Bad Breath in Dogs
We often smell smelly breath in your dogs and merely believe it is as a result of something they ate. Although this could be the reason, chronic bad breath, or halitosis, is usually a sign of a far more serious medical problem.
Causes
The most popular causes of smelly breath are teeth and gum problems. Plaque and tartar buildup are dental conditions that can bring about periodontal disease. Small dogs, including pugs, Pekingese and Boston terriers, are highly susceptible to gum disease his or her teeth are spaced closely together.
Bad breath may also be caused by diabetes, inflammation within the nose or even the sinuses and gastrointestinal problems. In some cases, halitosis could be a result of trauma, including by chewing on something. Cancers and inflammation in the mouth and esophagus may cause foul odors. Certain types of infections as well as the food he’s eating can even be the culprits.
Foreign objects inside the mouth can cause smelly breath. Check your dog’s mouth for almost any grass, plants, bones, hair, sticks or other stuck objects. Eating garbage, spoiled food or dead animals may cause an offensive smell. Some dogs participate in coprophagia, which could be the practice of eating your feces, and this can be quite a cause of the odor.
Even your canine’s regular diet could be a cause. Some dogs can’t properly digest some foods, which can leave some partially chewed food stuck inside the mouth or around the tongue.
Symptoms
An offensive odor is typically the only symptom, unless a more serious condition is present. For example, in case your dog has dental problems, you may notice loose teeth, blood inside the mouth or alterations in eating patterns. If your pet has diabetes, you may notice an increase in drinking and urinating. If he’s been vomiting and his awesome eyes look yellowish, that might be a manifestation of liver problems. Breath with an odor of urine is often a sign of kidney disease.
Diagnosis
The vet ask you queries about your pet’s general behavior, diet, oral hygiene and exercise routine. He or she will also examine the dog’s mouth and look for almost any signs of tooth or gum problems. In some cases, mouth X-rays may be performed. If the vet believes that a far more serious health is present, blood work along with other tests will probably be performed.
Treatment
Treatment will depend for the diagnosis. If gum disease may be the reason for the halitosis, the vet will do a comprehensive cleaning in the teeth. He or she might also remove teeth which are severely damaged. If the issue is caused by your canine’s diet, you might need to change to another brand of food. If the bad smell is a result of a more serious problem, surgery, medications and long-term management could possibly be needed to hold the condition manageable.
Prevention
There a wide range of actions you can take to hold your canine’s breath smelling much nicer. These include the following:
Schedule regular vet visits for the dog. Even if your dog looks and acts fine, an annual checkup can prevent any serious health problems before they cause harm and be costly.
Brush your pet’s teeth often. There are toothbrushes and toothpastes made particularly for dogs. These toothpastes can be found in flavorful varieties to produce brushing fun. Although it is the most suitable to brush daily, even brushing weekly can do much to prevent painful tooth and gum conditions.
If your dog has had tooth and gum problems within the past, be sure you and your vet still monitor the problem. They can still happen, causing smell in your puppy’s mouth to return.
Hard toys offer your pet the ability to clean his teeth through chewing. Find safe toys and offer these phones him often.
Dental treats can also be good to offer frequently. These are formulated to relieve foul breath by removing plaque. There may also be a number of sprays, drops, gels and biscuits open to freshen breath.
Ask a veterinarian for just about any tips or advice. In extreme cases, medications might need to be employed to hide serious bad smell.
