Bad Breath in Dogs

Posted by TeenaSekhon on February 14th, 2023

There are various reasons and causes for bad breath in dogs. Among the components of dog bad breath, the peculiar smell is emitted mainly by volatile sulfur compounds that are generated when anaerobic bacteria in the mouth decompose protein components.

Causes of bad breath in dogs:

① Hydrogen sulphide - Smells like rotten eggs

② Methyl Mercaptan - Fishy smell like rotten fish, smell like rotten vegetables

③ Dimer sulphide - Smells like garbage

Dogs prone to bad breath:

(1) Small dogs/elderly dogs

Brachycephalic breeds such as Chihuahuas, Pugs and small dogs such as Miniature Dachshunds are prone to periodontal disease, which can lead to bad breath.

In addition, elderly dogs (senior dogs), dogs with weakened immune systems, and dogs whose teeth are not properly cared for are prone to periodontal disease, so care must be taken.

(2) Dogs with chronic diseases

Diabetic dogs are said to smell like acetone.

Dogs with kidney disease also have an ammonia odor in their mouths, as oral bacteria break down urea and produce ammonia in their saliva.

(3) Dogs that put anything in their mouth

If your dog puts anything in its mouth, it may stick to the mucous membrane in the mouth, get stuck in the teeth, or get stuck in the pharynx, and remain in the mouth as a foreign object.
In this case, too, their mouth will likely smell bad. Don't let your dog pick it up at home or on walks.

Bad breath in dogs that require urgency:

1. Clogged in the digestive tract

Foreign objects (toys, socks, stones, dental gum, etc.) or food stuck in the dog's pharynx, esophagus, stomach, etc. can cause drooling, rapid breathing, open-mouthed breathing, abdominal pain and vomiting, and bowel movements.
In such cases, it is recommended to go to a veterinary hospital without hesitation, as there is a risk of death.

2. Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis

When a dog has haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, acute inflammation occurs in the gastrointestinal mucosa, bleeding from the mucosa causes bright red diarrhea and vomiting.

A lack of blood and water can lead to shock, which can lead to sepsis and death.

3. Periodontal disease

About 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have periodontal disease .
There is a common word dog smell, but many people mistake the bad breath caused by periodontal disease for the smell of dogs.

Periodontal disease is said to be the source of all diseases, and it affects various diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, and kidney disease, so remember that the risk increases the more you leave it.

4. Stomatitis

There are many causes of stomatitis in dogs, such as foreign objects in the mouth, diabetes, kidney disease, immune disorders, and teeth with plaque that irritate the inside of the cheeks. In addition to strong bad breath, drooling, redness and ulcers in the oral cavity can also be seen, but it may also cause loss of appetite, so if your dog has stomatitis, check the inside of the mouth just in case.

5. Diabetes

The most common signs of diabetes in dogs are excessive drinking and weight loss. In dogs, the normal daily water intake is 20-90ml/kg of body weight, with more than 100ml being considered polydipsia.

When a dog becomes diabetic, it becomes unable to utilize sugars for energy, and instead, ketone bodies increase excessively, causing the blood to become acidic, resulting in symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and vomiting.

In addition, when the blood sugar level rises, combined with the osmotic diuretic effect, it causes dehydration, and dehydration reduces the amount of saliva secreted, which causes bad breath.
In the final stages, it can lead to death, so don't neglect treatment.

6. Oral tumor

Malignant oral tumors in dogs include melanoma (malignant melanoma), squamous cell carcinoma , fibrosarcoma , and osteosarcoma. It accounts for 40%. It seems that the owner often notices bleeding in the dog's mouth.

Oral tumors in dogs are divided into four stages, and life expectancy after stage 3 is often shortened.

7. Bad breath in elderly dogs

Gum disease and kidney disease are common in older dogs, and oral tumors are sometimes seen, so it is important to receive regular health checkups (at least once every six months) from the perspective of disease prevention before bad breath. I guess. In the case of older dogs, even if they have bad breath, it is easy to think that it is because of their age, but be careful as there may be a hidden serious illness.

If bad breath is caused by an illness, it goes without saying that treatment of the underlying illness should be given priority. The pet owner should consult best dog hospital in Delhi like DCC Animal hospital.

As mentioned above, bad breath can also be caused by a decrease in saliva secretion, but in the first place, elderly dogs tend to be less conscious of drinking water, and they may not be able to go to the water fountain, so it is enough to encourage saliva secretion.

In addition, in the case of bad breath due to periodontal disease, there are cases where elderly dogs can be anesthetized to remove tartar depending on their health condition, every dog owner can  consult best vet in Gurgaon to get the health issues diagnose and treated.

FAQ’s

What are preventive measures? 

Disease prevention - First of all, let's take care of your dog's disease prevention.

When grooming your dog, check the smell around its mouth. If you're worried about your dog's bad breath, you may want to consult your veterinarian, as bad breath can be a sign of disease.

Toothbrushing - As part of your dog's care, brush your teeth on a regular basis to remove plaque and tartar as soon as possible. If you can't brush your dog's teeth, you can use a syringe filled with water to wash off the dirt on your dog's teeth after eating, or wrap a toothpaste or wet gauze around your finger and rub the surface of the teeth lightly.

Stress - There is also bad breath that comes from mental sources. Make sure you don't put your dog under stress.

Dental care - Chewing stimulates your dog's saliva production. Dog saliva has a bactericidal effect by cleaning the oral cavity and the antibacterial substances in the saliva, and it also leads to the prevention of periodontal disease.

Drinking water - Physiological and dietary halitosis are not considered to require treatment, but if you are concerned about your dog's bad breath, make sure that they have enough water to drink at all times to prevent a decrease in saliva secretion.

Food - The smell of food, such as homemade food, can cause bad breath, so it is a good idea to change your dog's diet and dog food. In addition, lactic acid bacteria products (substances produced by good bacteria) are thought to have an inhibitory effect on periodontal disease bacteria, so it is recommended to give foods and supplements containing lactic acid bacteria such as yogurt. One can cosult best veterinary doctor in Gurgaon to know the food that can be given to the pet dog.

Bad breath care products and supplements - As a countermeasure against bad breath for your dog, you can also consider using a commercially available spray or water-dropping type of bad breath care product along with toothpaste. It seems that there are many products that adjust the oral environment to prevent plaque and tartar from forming, rather than eliminating bad breath.

You can also try using supplements that are effective in treating periodontal disease but be sure to consult veterinary doctor in south Delhi pet clinic for right medicines.

Herbs - Herbs such as parsley and champignon have also been shown to help with bad breath in dogs.

However, please note that some herbs cannot be used depending on the disease or symptoms.