It can be challenging to know when to see a veterinarian, particularly when it comes to a dog's oral health. While most people prefer not to visit their veterinarian for minor inquiries, failing to do so may result in tooth issues staying undiagnosed. Discover some of the warning indicators of poor oral health in dogs by reading on.
Dog Dental Health Warning Signs
1 - Dogs' Bleeding Gums
We would encourage you to take your dog to the veterinarian as quickly as possible if you see bleeding gums. In dogs, periodontal disease, or gingivitis, may be indicated if there is minor bleeding across a large area of the gums. These illnesses can be uncomfortable and result in problems, including weight loss.
Rather than being an indication of dental problems, bleeding gums are more often the result of a dog bite. Gum cuts in dogs can occur from a variety of sources, particularly during walks. When strolling, keep an eye out for the following:
1: Splintering or sharp sticks
2: Broken or fractured glass
3: Recycled plastic
4: Stones and rocks
5: Discarded plastic food trays
We advise you to take your dog to the veterinarian right away if you see significant bleeding from the gums. When they arrive, your veterinarian will be able to treat the wound and stop the bleeding.
2 - Dogs' Tooth Loss
For senior dogs, tooth loss is a fairly common problem. This is due to the fact that dental calculus gradually causes teeth to loosen. This shouldn't be as prevalent in younger dogs, as it is mostly a problem for senior canines. If you observe that your younger dog's teeth are coming out, it can indicate a different issue. It's possible that your dog ate or chewed something hard, like a stone, if you find that their tooth has broken off instead of coming out.
If that's the case, your dog may still be chewing on the leftover portion of the tooth. This could result in more severe problems since the tooth might pierce other areas of your dog's mouth or dig further into their gums. An infection in the tooth root could also result from a fractured tooth. When bacteria are introduced to a tooth's root canal, usually as a result of a chipped or damaged tooth, a root canal-related abscess develops.
3 - Canine Breath Problems
Dog breath is a typical issue that the majority of pet owners will eventually have to deal with. It's not always the case that a dog's poor breath indicates they have dental issues. On the other hand, it can indicate a more serious issue if combined with one or more of the previously mentioned symptoms.
4 - White Gums in Canines
Typically, a dog's gums should be pink in color. A dental issue may be present in a dog if their gums aren't pink. Dogs with pale gums typically have low hemoglobin levels or issues generating red blood cells. A serious parasite infection is one possible cause of a dog's blood loss. Both internal and external parasites may be a part of this. Ticks and fleas are examples of parasites that feed on the blood of their hosts to survive. Pale gums may develop if a pet has a serious flea illness.
Kidney illness is an additional cause of pale gums in dogs. A hormone that promotes the production of red blood cells is stopped by kidney failure. Your dog's gums will seem pale because fewer blood vessels are produced as a result. Another reason for dogs' pale gums could be bleeding, either internally or externally. If the pet is bleeding profusely on the outside, it's easy to see, but internal bleeding could be harder to detect. A fast heartbeat and shallow breathing are indications that your dog may be bleeding internally.
We recommend that you call your veterinarian right away if your dog does start to exhibit pale gums, particularly if you observe any symptoms of internal bleeding, such as a fast heartbeat or short breathing.
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