Dog Bad Breath – Does Your Dog Have Halitosis?
Bad breath sign of bad dog health? Nah, that can’t be possible! Well it is true. While it’s perfectly acceptable to have your pooch’s breath smell of scavenged or raw meat, every time he breathes into your face, unknowing of the torture he subjects you to, you should have alarm bells ringing if his breath smells really-really bad every single time. Highly offensive bad breath means your pet health is at risk.
Halitosis, or bad breath, is a horrible odour coming from mouth of your doggie. There is more than just your pooch’s breath that is unpleasant. While there are plenty of pet products available to help all you pet owners deal with bad breath and the overall dog health. These pet products include dog toothbrush and toothpaste, treats that are meant to reduce tartar, and doggie breath drops or breath fresheners! However, it’s very important to know what really causes Halitosis and affects the pet health as well as the treatments that are available for this condition.
Typically, halitosis affects the pet health due to oral causes, but in some cases bad breath can be caused by other diseases or dog health conditions that include:
1. Gingivitis (inflammatory gums)
2. Periodontitis (inflammation of the tissues, which surround the teeth)
3. Infected tooth/teeth
4. Foreign bodies such as piece of bone, hair, or plant material stuck in the dog’s mouth
5. Oral ulceration/ Oral neoplasia
6. Lung diseases (ex: lung cancer)
Halitosis can be discomforting for the dog as well. He may not be able to convey his pain or discomfort. So don’t risk the dog health and watch out for symptoms such as:
1. Oral pain and discharge
2. Bloody discharge from the mouth
3. Excessive Drooling
4. Dysphagia (or difficulty in swallowing food)
5. Depression
It can be depressing not just for the pooch but for you as well, if you dog is no longer smiling or if you have to shove his off every time he approaches you. The best thing to do when you notice any or some of the above symptoms is to get medical advice. Only a vet can assess the cause or extent of damage caused by Halitosis and its affect on the pet health. The veterinarian will most likely make a complete oral examination as well as subject your dog to periodontal probing. Sometimes, a full mouth X-ray may be necessary.
While the vet will do what is best for the dog health based on the correct diagnosis and tests, you can also ensure that the pet health is maintained by brushing your dog’s teeth every day. There are several products on the market to help you deal with doggie breath including dog toothbrush and paste, dog treats that can help minimize tartar or freshen dog breath as well as doggie breath drops. It is first important to understand and treat any underlying diseases that may be causing the foul odour. You can also follow dietary recommendations (as advised by the veterinarian). Vets suggest Hill’s Prescription Diet T/D or Eukanuba Restricted-Calorie Rewards for Halitosis.
If you need further information on dog health, including discussion groups visit our pet forum. We also have a great directory of articles and pet issues on pet health with hundreds of related subjects.
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Is Dog Bad Breath A Silent Killer?
Dog bad breath a silent killer! I can just here it now. This is not an exaggeration, and for that matter cats too. Just imagine a condition that affects you furry friends, but most pet owners often neglect to even look for it.
Im talking specifically in this article about bad breath in dogs, however it can just as easily be applied to cats as well.
After doing alittle research on this topic of bad breath in dogs, I found that a very high percentage of dogs at a certain age have periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is condition in the mouth that over time and without attention to it, break down all the supporting gums and bone that hold the teeth in place.
No not a very pretty picture at all, and it also causes loss of the canines teeth. The bacteria that cause this type of condition not only causes the above mentioned, the bacteria can get loose from the teeth and enter in the dogs bloodstream.
Causing damage to the vital organs in the dogs body such as the kidneys, lungs, heart, and liver. With those kind of damaging results, its no wonder its dubbed the “Silent Killer Of Pets”.
As periodontal disease progresses it is marked by bad breath in your dog.
But Wait..
The good news is that this can be prevented. Good oral hygiene for your pets can become as regular a routine, as your daily brushing and flossing.
Regular trips to veterinarian.
This may seem pretty obvious, but is often neglected by many pet owners. Really it is the only way to know exactly where you stand in regard to your dogs health today
What your dog eats
Monitor what you feed your dog, can dog food(soft)has been reported as giving dogs plaque, that leads to tartar at very high percentages.
Dry dog food is much better for your dog, in that it wears away tartar build up.
Brush your dogs teeth regularly
This is a no-brainer if you have a dog, and want to prevent a serious condition like periodontal disease.
If you find it hard to brush your dogs teeth…
Use a product such as Oxyfresh Pet Oral Care to keep dogs breath fresher, and inhibit gum disease. It is added to your dogs drinking water, and because its odorless and tasteless, your dog doesn’t even know its there.
Makers of this product reports they are selling this stuff in the goobs. Which means that it obviously works!
Your dogs health is a very serious matter if you truly love your dog, so be sure to give it the best care you can. Its no question these tips work to eliminate gum disease for your dog, will you?
Dog bad breath a silent killer! I can just here it now. This is not an exaggeration, and for that matter cats too. Just imagine a condition that affects you furry friends, but most pet owners often neglect to even look for it.
Curing a dog’s bad breath involves either providing breath treats, brushing their teeth or changing their food, or it can involve seeing a veterinarian to assess a deeper-rooted issue. Take care of a dog’s bad breath, using breath treats as another training opportunity, withtips from a certified dog trainer in this free video on pet care. Expert: James Pakman Contact: www.sycamore-stables.com Bio: James Pakman is a professional, certified dog trainer who has been working at Sycamore Stables horse and dog facility in Amherst, Mass. for several years. Filmmaker: David Pakman
Video Rating: 5 / 5
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