Pay attention to your dog’s mouth and teeth. If you suffer from any pathology in them, you will notice one or more of these symptoms:
• Bad breath. When there are problems in the dog’s mouth, respiratory system or gastrointestinal tract, bad breath will be one of the first symptoms to appear. If you feel that halitosis has made an appearance, go to the vet to find out if it is an oral problem. Possible causes: tartar buildup or a gum infection .
• You don’t feel like eating. If your furry before was a voracious eater but from one day to the next he does not touch the feed that you leave him in his bowl, it may be a symptom of fever or depression. Possible causes: systemic diseases, oral and dental pathologies (infection, foreign bodies, dental fractures …).
• Profuse salivation. It produces too much saliva that, in addition, it expels to the outside. Possible causes: pathologies of the salivary glands, dental diseases or not being able to swallow, which would be a consequence of having esophageal foreign bodies or trauma, among others.
• Pain when swallowing. Possible causes: neurological disorders or oral problems.
• Bruxism. Move your mouth very fast. Possible causes: pain in the mouth or having a foreign body in the oral cavity.
• You cannot open or close your mouth. Possible causes: trauma, pain, neurological disorders of the chewing muscles, disorders of the jaw joint.
• Problems with the oral mucosa. If it hurts, it is not covered with saliva, is pale, or has no shine. Possible causes: general dehydration, anemia, hypotension, lack of oxygen (bluish mucosa), fever, allergic reactions, or periodontal disease.
We can avoid tooth problems with dental check-ups
These dental problems can arise in any dog , regardless of age or living in the best circumstances, sometimes it is a matter of bad luck and other times it is due to the breed, because dogs such as mini or brachycephalic are more prone to suffer from oral pathologies.
We will reduce the probability that you will suffer from any disease by following these tips:
• Give him a quality food. A dry diet is the ideal one to avoid some diseases and not only oral ones. Its texture helps the dog to clean its teeth during chewing. Do not use pieces of stale bread or bones from the butcher shop as it will cause a nutritional imbalance. If your animal is prone to tooth pathologies, give it a specific feed for this problem.
• Periodic reviews. If the vet can observe your dog’s teeth at least a couple of times a year, he will know its condition, can recommend mouth cleanings when the animal needs it, and will avoid major oral diseases.
• Specific chewing products. There are toys or bones on the market made to entertain your pet while helping him clean his mouth. In addition, they will serve to strengthen the jaw of the dog and some will give fresh breath.
• Brush her teeth. At least a couple of times a week, brush his teeth with a brush exclusively for your dog, and water or special paste.
