Severe Bad Breath in Dogs
Bad breath is one of the more unpleasant perks of dog ownership and is expected to a certain extent. Severe bad breath, also called halitosis, affects mainly older dogs and suggests a medical or dental problem. A checkup with a veterinarian helps rule out any serious problems, and the vet can offer ways to prevent severe bad breath.
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Causes
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Oral causes of halitosis include gingivitis, periodontitis, an abcessed tooth, a bone or hair stuck in the mouth, oral ulceration, tumors of the mouth and coprophagia (eating stool). Medical causes include lung diseases such as lung cancer, severe kidney disease, diseases of other major organs such as the liver or adrenal glands, respiratory disease, diabetes and some autoimmune diseases, according to Doctors Foster and Smith at PetEducation.com.
Identification
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Halitosis has a number of accompanying symptoms to watch out for. These symptoms include oral discharge that is sometimes bloody, oral pain, drooling, difficulty swallowing, difficulty eating and depression, says veterinarian Debra Primovic at PetPlace.com. Any dog with severe bad breath and one or all of the accompanying symptoms should see a veterinarian for a checkup.
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Diagnosis
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Diagnosing the cause of the dog's severe bad breath involves a physical examination, an oral exam, periodontal probing and full-mouth radiographs, according to PetPlace.com. Periodontal probing allows the veterinarian to check the gum/tooth interface and look for any gum or periodontal diseases. An endoscopic examination may also be necessary to diagnose the problem in more severe cases, according to WellVet.com.
Prevention/Solution
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Oral and dental conditions that cause halitosis are avoidable with routine veterinary care. Older dogs may require a regular teeth cleaning to prevent conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Changing the dog's diet to a healthier one can help prevent halitosis, as can dietary supplements such as garlic, aloe vera and myrrh, according to WellVet.com.
Treatment
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Treatment geared toward the underlying condition can help get rid of halitosis. This might include the removal of any foreign objects in the mouth, such as grass, the treatment and/or removal of any tumors and cleaning/scraping the teeth under the gums, Primovic says. Treatment of extremely bad breath might involve daily tooth brushing, as well as chlorhexadine spray prescribed by a veterinarian.
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References
- Photo Credit Yawning Dog image by KateC from Fotolia.com
