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Bad breath in dogs and cats is one of the more common observations animal guardians make and a question often posed to veterinarians. There are many possible causes of bad breath, from poor diets and digestive health, to sinus/respiratory infections, and many metabolic diseases such as kidney or renal disease. By far though, the biggest reason for bad breath in our dogs and cats is the presence of periodontal and gum disease.
Periodontal disease is truly epidemic in adult dogs and cats, affecting to some degree, almost 90 percent of adult pets. Symptoms may include not only a foul mouth odor, but excessive drooling, difficulty chewing food, or even subsequent weight loss. |
In some cases, an infected tooth root can lead to swelling on one side of your pet’s face. If your pets allow you to, look inside their mouths especially at the back teeth. You may notice a significant buildup of dental plaque or tartar, and swollen or red gums. Not only does periodontal disease lead to painful mouths and tooth loss, but increased risk of chronic infections in the mouth potentially spreading to other areas of the body, including the lungs, kidneys, liver and heart.
Many times when these symptoms are present, an initial ultrasonic dental scaling (done under anesthesia) is needed to address such pathology of the teeth and gums. However, if animal guardians start with dental care at home when animals are puppies or kittens, and certainly after an ultrasonic scaling, they can tremendously help to avoid future health problems.
Great products like C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste, C.E.T. Rinse, and Nolvadent Oral Cleansing Solution can all help play an active role in a pet’s dental care and health. C.E.T.’s Enzymatic Toothpaste contains two enzymes which not only prevents plaque buildup, but can digest the plaque right off teeth when used regularly. The chlorhexidine-based CET Oral Rinse can help soothe gum inflammation and kill harmful bacteria involved in plaque buildup and progressive periodontal disease. No matter which dental product or group of products used, I can’t stress enough the importance for animal guardians to be actively and regularly involved in their pet’s long term dental care.
