Bad breath is known as a social havoc to many individuals. It prevents us from being socialable, as in mingling with other people and/or going to public events. But what if it is the four-legged companion walking around with a breath that will cause the owners to take five steps back? Dogs can also suffer from bad breath, or halitosis.
What causes dogs to suffer with bad breath?
As most individuals would guess, the bad breath in dogs is the result of the build-up of tartar and plaque. In addition, dental and/or gum disease plays a pivotal role in the halitosis dilemma. If the bad breath is more serious, then this is an indication that the oral health issue could extend to other organs, the respiratory system, and gastrointestinal tract.
Sometimes the dog’s breath can have a very particular smell–the smell that most dog owners would not expect to scent out from the olfactory organ. Here are a couple of signs that the bad breath needs some urgent treatment:
-The dog’s breath smells fruit-like. This can be a sign of diabetes, especially if the dog is consuming more water and urinating more than normal.
-Breath that has the smell of urine can indicate kidney disease.
Prevention
There are some ways that the bad breath dilemma can be solved. Taking care of the oral health is very imperative. These are some of the preventive measures that can be take to avoid halitosis:
-The dog should have checkups and examinations on a regular basis to ensure that there are no issues that may be the onset of halitosis.
-Veterinarians should be on the lookout to see any changes in the dog’s teeth and health.
-Dog’s teeth should be brushed regularly. Rule of thumb: do not use toothpaste that is made for human’s teeth; it may cause the stomach to become irregular. Use toothpaste that is for dogs only.
-Always have a sturdy but safe chewing toy that the dogs can clean their teeth–the natural way.
Halitosis is a horrible smell in terms of the oral health matter. Sometimes it may be caused by something as simple as food getting caught between the teeth; at times it may be a more urgent matter as in the respiratory system. The best solution in resolving this dilemma is to seek the advice of a veterinarian. He/she will guide the owners in the right direction with outlining the causes and providing tips on prevention.
Source:
http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/bad-breath-dogs