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Dog Bad Breath - More Than Meets the Nose

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Dog Bad Breath - More Than Meets the NoseBy Angelo Ioanides

Take any five dogs off the street and chances are four of them will 'bite you on the nose' with their dog bad breath. Being such a common condition it's understandable why so many dog owners accept it as normal... and why so few do anything about it. Yet dog bad breath (formally called canine halitosis) can be an early alarm-bell alerting you of a more sinister hidden disease.

Do an online search for causes of dog bad breath and you could be forgiven for thinking that all halitosis arises from one fundamental source - poor oral hygiene. True... 90% of cases are due to oral-bacteria and yes, these bacterial infections (in the form of tooth decay and gum disease) can give rise to more serious conditions. Yet, for 1 in 10 dogs with bad breath the source of foul-odor arises beyond their mouth. Consequently, by applying this blanket diagnosis to your dogs' bad breath you run the risk of overlooking a potentially harmful underlying condition and in the process inadvertently delay critical early diagnosis and treatment.

So what can cause bad breath other than the usual dental diseases?

In essence, there are two broad categories of non-dental causes for bad-breath: gastro-intestinal conditions and non-gastro-intestinal causes.

Gastro-intestinal conditions comprise the most common non-dental causes of bad breath. Of these the most common odor-producing diseases include:

Foreign bodies lodged in the oro-pharynx;

Parasites;

Food allergies;

Poisoning;

Stomach ulcers;

Esophageal / stomach cancer.

As for non-gastro-intestinal conditions, while these are much rarer causes of bad breath they are definitely the more serious conditions to diagnose early and accurately. The most common of these conditions include:

Diabetes;

Kidney failure;

Liverfailure;

Lung cancer.

Looking at this broad list of conditions it should be clear that dog bad breath is not simply a reflection of poor oral hygiene. Rather, dog bad breath is a non-specific symptom of a wide range of harmful and even potentially fatal conditions. In essence dog bad breath is Natures' way of telling you that your dog is unwell without telling you precisely what's wrong with them.

This raises the question, "How can I tell if my dogs' bad breath is due to poor oral hygiene or if it's due to something much more serious?"

Unfortunately there is no simple way to diagnose the cause of dog bad breath. However, there are two (albeit crude) at-home diagnostic tests that can help you determine whether or not the odor warrants further investigation.

The first test involves eliminating the mouth as the source of odor. Simply look inside your dogs' mouth and look evidence of gum disease (chalky cement-like build up on teeth; red, puffy bleeding gums (as opposed to healthy firm pink gums) or tooth decay. If you see none of these signs and after instigating a stringent oral hygiene regimen (involving daily brushing of teeth for a week) and the odor persists then that raises suspicion that the cause is non-dental.

Next, close your dogs' mouth and smell the breath they exhale through their nose. If this nasally-exhaled breath carries the same odor as their mouth-breath then that further raises suspicions that you are dealing with a non-dental cause of bad breath.

In both these cases an urgent visit to your vet is warranted to eliminate a non-dental, potentially fatal underlying medical condition.

Angelo IoanidesDog Bad Breath Experthttp://dogbadbreath.qarf.com

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My Dogs Breath Smells Bad

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My Dog's Breath Smells BadBy Ty Magnum

Let's face it: your dog isn't always going to have minty-fresh breath. But some canines have worse "doggy breath" than others - why, and what can you do about it?

Sometimes, bad breath is a sign of poor oral health. It sounds silly, however try brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis. Specially-sized brushes and meat-flavored toothpastes are available at almost any pet store. Fido will probably be resistant to brushing at first, however if you make it a pleasant, calm experience and reward him greatly for his patience, he may grow to love the "pampering"!

If you're unsure about how to clean your dog's teeth or want to start with a "clean slate," schedule a professional cleaning with your vet.

There are also countless dog treats, bones and toys on the market that help clean dogs' teeth and promise to freshen their breath; even plain old rawhide can be beneficial, as it scrapes the teeth clean when chewed.

If polishing Buddy's pearly whites doesn't solve his nasty breath, look for a food specially-formulated to relieve bad breath (some may need a prescription).Many soft foods are heavy offenders when it comes to bad breath, so try switching your pet to a hard food, particularly one created specifically to ward off tartar buildup and gum disease.

If your dog's halitosis is severe and constant, it might be a warning sign of more serious issues, such as inflammation of the gums, an abscessed tooth, tooth decay or even oral tumors or kidney disease.

If your dog's stinky breath is accompanied by symptoms like oral pain (hesitation to eat), excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing or depression, be sure to schedule a vet appointment immediately.

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Does Your Dog Have Diabetes

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Does Your Dog Have DiabetesBy Ty Magnum

Canine diabetes is something that can be treated, however you must first learn to recognize the signs. Here's the things you'll need to look for:

- Lack of 'doggy breath' - If your dog's breath smells somewhat sweet, it could mean his or her blood sugar levels need to be addressed.

- Drinking a lot of H2O and excess urination - This could be a sign of canine diabetes as well as several other harmful conditions.

- Shivering - While this is a natural occurrence when an animal is cold. If you notice your dog shivering when he or she should be warm and comfortable, it could be a sign of canine diabetes. This is a serious issue and action should be taken immediately.

- Weight loss - if your dog has begins steadily losing weight, this could be a sign of diabetes or other conditions. This is especially concerning when your dog is an adult and has maintained a stable body weight for its adult life.

- Listlessness - This symptom is almost a nearly universal warning sign of disease. Animals instinctively lie aroundand conserve their energy to heal themselves when there's something serious wrong with them. If there is no major visible injury, a dog who's normally active lying around and sleeping at times he or she would generally be active is a sign that something serious is wrong.

All of these warning signs are individually worth your attention. Each symptom could be indicative of many maladies. Put these symptoms together and they point a clear finger toward canine diabetes. Taking note of the problem and acting in a timely manner is the key to continuing to enjoy your happy dog.

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