The problem of bad breath in canines is quite widespread. You may find the morning licks less enjoyable if your dog has terrible breath. It would be a mistake to disregard the smell coming from your dog’s mouth. In many instances, the smelly breath of your pet might serve as an early warning indication that your dog is experiencing other types of health issues.
Take a moment to delve a bit deeper to establish the origin of your dog’s bad breath and what you can do to prevent and treat it before you give your dog a dental treat. This will give you a broader picture of your dog’s health.
How does your pet’s breath indicate health?
Many dog owners accept their pet’s bad breath as normal because of how frequently it occurs. Dogs’ bad breath can result from dental problems to overactive gut bacteria. Since bad breath is frequently the first indicator of a health issue, let’s investigate the potential causes of pet foul breath.
1. Periodontal Disease
Dental problems are by far the most common reason for a dog to have poor breath. In animals, just as in people, the accumulation of tartar and plaque can result in bacterial gingivitis, which manifests as bad breath.
Periodontal disease might develop by neglecting good dental care practices over time. Tartar and plaque can cause gum recession, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to increase in number and cause dental infections. You can follow this page for more info about veterinary services.
2. Diabetes
A sugary odor on your pet’s breath may indicate diabetes, a condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. Too much sugar in the blood can make a dog’s breath smell sweet, while too many bacteria can make it smell sour or musty.
Diabetes is a condition that frequently results in various symptoms, including excessive drinking, blurry eyes, and urinary tract infections. Schedule a trip to a comprehensive geriatric veterinary care services if any of these signs appear. As with humans, diabetes in dogs can be managed with medication.
3. Tumor
Oral tumors are a potential additional reason your furry pet has bad breath. These growths are caused by the rapid multiplication and growth of cells in your pet’s mouth.
Sometimes the rate of tissue growth exceeds the rate at which the body can give adequate blood flow to the area. When these growths are deprived of blood flow, they begin to die; when they do, your dog’s terrible breath will smell like something that has died. You can have them checked by a reputable facility like Clearlake Veterinary Clinic to monitor your pet’s health.
4. Liver Disease
Toxins may persist in the bloodstream when the liver isn’t functioning correctly. This also applies to the lungs. This may have a powerful feculent smell upon exhalation. However, other symptoms, such as jaundice (yellowing of the mouth and eyes), weakness and loss of stability, and in rare circumstances, seizures, may be present in cases of liver illness.
Liver disease can develop naturally with age, or it can be inherited. On the other hand, oxidative stress plays a significant role in developing liver problems. Common causes of oxidative stress include being overweight, eating a lot of processed foods, being around radiation, or living in a polluted area.
5. Kidney Disease
Urea is a waste that is produced in the body from the breakdown of protein. The kidneys are responsible for filtering urea out of the bloodstream; however, if they aren’t working at full capacity, the urea level in the blood increases.
Halitosis might develop if there is an abnormally high urea concentration in the bloodstream. The scent has been described as being similar to that of ammonia.
