Bad Doggy Breath - HALITOSIS
Kelly Sperling
People are not the only one's to get a bad breathe!
The major reason for bad breath in dogs is a build-up of tartar in the area around the teeth. Food particles often remain behind in the mouth after eating. These particles, over time, will begin to decompose. This can create the ideal environment for oral bacteria to grow and thrive. The bacteria ultimately grow to form a plaque wall. This is a horrible combination of decomposed food, various minerals, and bacteria. Associated oral infections in addition to plaque are what give your dog’s breath that distinctive, foul odour. This plaque can also cling to the bottom of your dog’s teeth. This will often cause inflammation of the gums, which can later cause them to recede. Inflamed gums can bleed, and this combination actually increases the amount of plaque that is present. The plaque (also known as calculus) appears as a sort of yellowish, hard coating around the bottom of the teeth.
Sometimes the foul odour will be the result of an infection or other medical problem located in the canine's mouth, while in other cases the problem will be elsewhere in the body, simply releasing the foul smell through the animal's mouth. Either way, halitosis needs to be properly dealt with in order to protect and promote your dog's health and well-being. If your dog does have bad breath, there are other symptoms to watch out for as well, which can be indicative of something more serious:
If you observe any of these symptoms in addition to your dog's bad breath, a disease or infection could very well be at the root of the problem. However, even if you only observe the foul odour, it's still important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian so that the cause of your pet's halitosis can be identified and treated.
Management
A mutli-faceted approach is important to eliminating bad breath in dogs. Here are some of the principal ways you can help your pet:
Alternative therapies
Echinacea can be made up into a mouth wash. Echinacea has very powerful immune boosting properties as well as antibiotic, and antifungal.
Activated charcoal is also a good supplement for bad breath as it absorbs all the gas and gunk in the dog’s digestive system. Always use this with caution, do not give too much and never give if you dog has a fever.
Homoeopathy
Merc sol- the worst fetid mouth odour, can smell it throughout the room. Gums are spongy and with ulcers. There is profuse salivation.
Kreosotum- offensive breath from inflamed gums and/or decayed teeth. Gums are inflamed, spongy and bleed easily.
Nit ac- halitosis with loose teeth, unhealthy gums, mouth ulcers
As with any illness, it is very important that your dog be checked by a vet. These recommendations are only suggestions and cannot replace treatment by a vet. However they can be used in conjunction with other treatments.
Sometimes the foul odour will be the result of an infection or other medical problem located in the canine's mouth, while in other cases the problem will be elsewhere in the body, simply releasing the foul smell through the animal's mouth. Either way, halitosis needs to be properly dealt with in order to protect and promote your dog's health and well-being. If your dog does have bad breath, there are other symptoms to watch out for as well, which can be indicative of something more serious:
- Oral discharge, bloody or otherwise, will sometimes accompany halitosis
- Oral pain and difficulty eating are also warning signs to keep an eye out for
- Drooling
- Depression
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Facial swelling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Sneezing,
- Nasal discharge.
If you observe any of these symptoms in addition to your dog's bad breath, a disease or infection could very well be at the root of the problem. However, even if you only observe the foul odour, it's still important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian so that the cause of your pet's halitosis can be identified and treated.
Management
A mutli-faceted approach is important to eliminating bad breath in dogs. Here are some of the principal ways you can help your pet:
- Annual Check-ups
- Diet
- Teeth Brushing
- Oral Solutions
- Toys
- Some toys are better for cleaning a dog's teeth than others
- Kong Toys have been around since 1976. Kongs can be filled with treats and are designed to help remove plaque and clean and condition a dog's teeth and gums. They encourage chewing and gnawing that will keep you dog happy and his teeth scrubbed.
- Greenies are edible chews that are designed to control plaque and tartar build-up. Make sure you choose the right size for your dog and don’t leave your dog unattended with small pieces as this can lead to choking.
- Raw hide bones are also designed to get your dog chewing and thereby help to clean their teeth. They also provide great entertainment for your dog. You can make them more interesting by stuffing pieces of biltong or organic peanut butter between the cracks. Always make sure you choose the right size for your dog. Never leave your dog unattended with small pieces as this can lead to choking.
- RAW bones help keep a dog's teeth clean. Raw chicken and turkey necks are great for dogs, as are oxtails and knuckle bones. Cooked bones splinter and can cause all sorts of serious problems and medical emergencies for dogs.
- The Water Bowl Keeping lots of fresh water available may sound like common sense. It is, but it is also good to keep your dog’s breath fresh. Adequate water helps keep the mouth moist and those anaerobic bacteria at bay. A clean bowl insures that no old food or recycled bacterial products get back into your dog's mouth.
Alternative therapies
Echinacea can be made up into a mouth wash. Echinacea has very powerful immune boosting properties as well as antibiotic, and antifungal.
Activated charcoal is also a good supplement for bad breath as it absorbs all the gas and gunk in the dog’s digestive system. Always use this with caution, do not give too much and never give if you dog has a fever.
Homoeopathy
Merc sol- the worst fetid mouth odour, can smell it throughout the room. Gums are spongy and with ulcers. There is profuse salivation.
Kreosotum- offensive breath from inflamed gums and/or decayed teeth. Gums are inflamed, spongy and bleed easily.
Nit ac- halitosis with loose teeth, unhealthy gums, mouth ulcers
As with any illness, it is very important that your dog be checked by a vet. These recommendations are only suggestions and cannot replace treatment by a vet. However they can be used in conjunction with other treatments.
Why a dog would kill its owner..
It is regarded as bizarre that man’s best friend for at least the last 12,000 years should turn on its owner and kill that person. A dog does not suddenly develop this intention but rather the early warning signals given out by the dog are either ignored or not recognized by the family. |
Defining quality of life
Whenever one considers the painful choice of euthanasia, one is always advised to take the pet’s “quality of life” into account. But what is “quality of life”? How can you determine whether a pet is still experiencing a good quality of life—or whether its level of suffering is no longer acceptable? |
Reducing Reactive Dog Behaviour
Dealing with fearful, reactive, or aggressive dog behavior is certainly challenging and often a topic of heated debate. A snarling, lunging dog at the end of a leash can be intimidating and downright dangerous. |