Bad Breath in Dogs
Bad breath is a common problem in humans. But it is the same with dogs and cats. Bad breath in dogs worsens with the increase in their age. There are more chances of bad odor as they become older. It is probably because of the buildup of tartar material in its mouth or a bleeding gum. Both when left unnoticed, it may spoil the dog’s health. Dogs get an accumulation of material called tartar on their teeth which is made up of mineral deposits.
Bacteria are present in every organism and it quickly reacts with the leftover food particles. These bacteria break down the food particles and live on the rough surface of the minerals. Bacteria break down the particles to gain nutrients for their own growth. A by product called sulfur compounds are produced in this reaction which is responsible for the bad breath in dogs. The smell resembles to that of rotten meat.
The same bacteria also lead to gum disease when left untreated. These bacteria get accumulated in large terms and get multiplied and pave way for other diseases. This might spread to the entire body leading to other kind of infections and diseases. If they enter the blood stream they can cause septicemia.
This bad breath problem is offensive in most of the cases. Dogs usually like to have attention from their owners. But bad breath may avoid any one nearing the dog and this may worsen the situation. In these cases, dog’s teeth have to be checked and even their tarter. Doctors will decide upon the treatment. In older dogs, doctors will prescribe to remove the tartar. In most cases, a professional cleaning of teeth is recommended.
Tooth extraction is required when bad breath in dogs is accompanied by inflammation of gums.
Bad breath can also occur in puppies. Regular health checkups and de-worming is important for puppies. In most cases, it would be because of the impacted baby tooth, which results in dead tissues. Bacteria may act upon the dead cells releasing the by-products and such unpleasant odor. It is important to look for other parts of the body for possible causes of bad breath in dogs.