There are about 300 types of bacteria in every dog's mouth. Mixing with saliva, they form a thin film that envelops the surface of the teeth. If you don't brush your pet's teeth, the film becomes denser and then turns into plaque.
This is gingivitis, which in 9 out of 10 cases is accompanied by an unpleasant odor from the mouth (halitosis). What signs indicate the development of gingivitis? Is it possible to cope with it at home? Experienced veterinarians talk about everything in more detail.
Read in this article
The main causes of gingivitis Signs indicating gum inflammation Types of gingivitis What to do if your dog has gingivitis? Diagnosis of the disease How to treat gingivitis in dogs? Treatment of gingivitis at home Nutrition of a dog with gingivitis Prevention of the disease
Main causes of gingivitis
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. It almost always develops with poor oral hygiene or its complete absence. If you don't brush your dog's teeth every day, tartar will inevitably form, which in later stages provokes the development of gingivitis.
Less common causes of gum inflammation in animals are:
- hormonal imbalances,
- autoimmune pathologies,
- genetic predisposition,
- caries,
- mechanical damage to the gums (for example, fragments of tubular bones),
- other diseases (diabetes mellitus, liver and kidney diseases).
Another common cause of gingivitis in dogs is an unbalanced diet. The lack of complete amino acids, minerals, as well as vitamins A, C and group B negatively affects the condition of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and leads to inflammatory processes.
First symptoms and changes in dog behavior
A sick dog can be easily distinguished from a healthy one:
- The dog behaves differently
- Trying to close himself in a dark place
- He lies down and doesn’t want to get up
- Doesn't make any sounds, but lies quietly
- Sad eyes
- Doesn't want to join the team
Only in some cases can you notice that the dog, on the contrary, has become hyperactive and aggressive. Doesn't want to stand or sit in one place, behaves strangely with people around him. Only the charter takes a lying and sitting position. Symptoms you may notice:
- Cowardice
- Wants to hide
- Howling with no reason
- Wants to bite, thereby annoying others.
- Aggression towards people around him
- Depressed mood
- Wants to bite for no reason
- Indifferent and excited
All these symptoms signal the urgency of treatment and rehabilitation in a medical institution. Otherwise, you can contact a veterinary pharmacy and the Gomeovet pet store.
Anyone who has a dog will probably notice changes in their pet's behavior. If some of the symptoms listed below intensify, immediate action must be taken.
Signs indicating gum inflammation
Gingivitis in dogs develops gradually, so the symptoms are increasing. The first thing that pets encounter is partial redness and swelling of the gums. This condition is accompanied by general weakness and refusal to eat.
Signs of gingivitis in dogs:
- redness and swelling of the gums,
- bleeding (especially during meals),
- unpleasant odor from the mouth,
- profuse salivation,
- small ulcers in the mouth,
- cyanosis of interdental spaces,
- loose teeth,
- burning and pain in the affected areas.
The dog refuses to play and whines in pain (for example, when chewing food). In the later stages of gingivitis, when general health deteriorates greatly, the animal refuses to walk, lies most of the time, and loses weight.
Stomatitis
Clinical picture of the disease: the appearance of a white coating on the tongue, bad breath from the pet’s mouth. The dog refuses to eat, its jaw trembles, and the lymph nodes in its neck become enlarged.
Many single formations form in the oral cavity, which often merge. The disease affects dogs between 7 and 9 months of age, develops for about 5 months, and then goes away on its own.
The disease is treated with conservative methods and surgical intervention. If single neoplasms are widespread, they are cauterized with electric current or cauterized with liquid nitrogen. When affected by multiple ulcers, immunity is increased and local treatment is used aimed at destroying the causative agent of the disease.
Types of gingivitis
By type of manifestation:
Spicy. Its main feature is its vivid clinical picture. All symptoms of gingivitis (redness, swelling, bleeding) appear quickly. The pet's condition is rapidly deteriorating.
Chronic. Symptoms develop gradually. Improvements are observed periodically (for example, swelling of the gums goes away) and relapses. Chronic gingivitis is more dangerous because it is difficult to diagnose in the early stages.
By degree of distribution:
Localized . Inflammation of the gums and other accompanying symptoms appear pointwise (locally) and cover not the entire oral cavity, but a certain area. In this case, the pet tries to chew food in the area where there is no gingivitis.
Generalized . The inflammatory process covers all soft tissues. This makes it possible to quickly diagnose gingivitis, but at the same time significantly complicates its treatment, since the symptoms are extensive.
The nature:
Catarrhal (serous ). This is the most common type of gingivitis and develops under the influence of external factors (for example, bacteria or allergens). Usually localized throughout the oral cavity.
Hypertrophic . Occurs due to internal factors (for example, hormonal imbalances or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract). In this case, hypertrophic gingivitis is localized on the incisors, molars and canines.
Why does my tongue turn white?
There are many reasons why your tongue may become discolored or have a white coating on it. This could be anemia, leukemia, gastritis, hypotension, serious blood loss, swelling of internal organs, oncology, lack of food, or lung problems. The cause may be thrush, which manifests itself in young individuals.
You need to check if your pet has other symptoms of disease:
- Heat
- Vomit
- Bloated belly
- Stool disorders
- Discoloration of other mucous membranes
- Smell from the mouth
- Possibly shaking
Diagnosis of the disease
The first thing the veterinarian will do is make an accurate diagnosis. He will examine the pet’s oral cavity and ask a few questions to its owner (how long has this been going on, does the pet refuse food, what diseases has it suffered, etc.).
Then clinical and additional research methods are prescribed. The veterinarian assesses the condition of the pet’s teeth and oral mucous membranes. To determine the extent of inflammation, the Schiller-Pisarev test is performed.
To do this, the dog's gums are treated with a special solution. In the presence of gingivitis, they become brown in color. The more intense the shade, the stronger the inflammation. To confirm the diagnosis, an x-ray examination is prescribed (at the discretion of the specialist).
Treatment
- Diagnosis using blood, urine, stool, ultrasound of internal organs
- Infusions into veins to increase blood volume
- Transfusion of blood components to an animal
- Bone marrow transfusion
- A course of antibiotics if the root cause of anemia is an infection.
- Taking vitamin K1, drugs with a high content of iron, potassium, etc.
- In difficult cases, operations are performed.
Manifestations of thrush
The symptoms of the disease depend on the source of its damage. When localized in the ears, the pet shakes its head and scratches the itchy areas. When the oral cavity is affected, the animal's salivation increases, and the tongue becomes white and coated. Ulcers may appear on the skin, fever and skin irritation may occur.
How to treat the disease?
The main goal of therapy: to increase immunity by forcing the dog’s body to resist Candida fungus. Antifungal drugs are applied topically to areas affected by the disease (mucous membranes, skin). After the acute manifestations of the disease have subsided, the course of treatment is continued for another 14 days. After therapy, the doctor takes tests for the presence of the pathogen.
How to treat gingivitis in dogs?
The sooner you see a veterinarian, the easier it will be to treat gingivitis. In severe forms, therapy is carried out strictly under the supervision of a doctor. A hospital stay is only necessary for surgical operations.
Conservative treatment . The first step is brushing your teeth and removing tartar. For this, anesthesia, sedation or anesthesia is used. If the initial stage of gingivitis is diagnosed, treatment is completed.
In the presence of serious symptoms (swelling, bleeding, etc.), the following are prescribed:
- antibiotic drugs,
- physiotherapeutic procedures,
- electrophoresis of heparin solution,
- gum massage,
- antiseptic treatments,
- balanced diet,
- vitamin therapy.
Operative (surgical) treatment . If conservative treatment does not help or the gingivitis has already become severe, surgical methods are used. These include resection (removal) of the affected area of the gum.
The operation is performed if necrotic processes have already begun in the soft tissues of the oral cavity. It is performed under general anesthesia. If indicated, gingivectomy (cleaning of the periodontal canals) is also prescribed.
Treatment of gingivitis at home
Treating gingivitis in a dog at home without first consulting a veterinarian is prohibited. No soda solution, cauterization of ulcers or other dubious folk methods will help eliminate the original cause of the disease - tartar.
At home, you can only follow the recommendations of a specialist in washing and treating your pet’s mouth after brushing his teeth and removing tartar in a veterinary clinic. For this purpose the following solutions are used:
- daisies,
- yarrow,
- oak bark,
- sage
They provide effective disinfection of wounds and promote faster relief of inflammation. To rinse your pet's mouth, you need to draw the solution into a large-volume syringe (without a needle).
The solution should not be hot, but warm, to eliminate the possibility of burns. Tilt your dog's head and open its mouth. Pour the solution onto your pet's gums to prevent liquid from getting into the throat.
It will pour back onto the floor, so place a basin or, better yet, lay down an unnecessary cloth. It is recommended to rinse not only inflammation, but also the entire oral cavity. A specialist will tell you more about everything at your appointment.
Briefly about the main thing
- Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. More often occurs together with stomatitis and other oral problems.
- Depending on the cause and form of manifestation, gingivitis can be acute and chronic, local or extensive, catarrhal, purulent and hypertrophic.
- At home, you can carry out antiseptic treatment with chlorhexidine or furatsilin solution.
- Treatment often requires cleaning under sedation, and sometimes even removal of diseased teeth.
- Gingivitis can be caused by: lack of oral hygiene, injury, and improper feeding.
- Veterinarians diagnose and prescribe treatment for gum inflammation, since it is difficult to conduct a full examination at home.
- Treatment will not be much effort if you deal with the problem in a timely manner.
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Dog food for gingivitis
To quickly and successfully treat gingivitis in dogs, as well as prevent relapses, a special diet is prescribed for 2-3 months. The animal needs to be switched to high-protein soft food (categories: super-premium/holistic).
They do not damage the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, and most importantly, they contain all the minerals and vitamins necessary for the restoration of the body. After each meal, it is necessary to rinse the dog's mouth with a chlorhexidine solution.
If for certain reasons you cannot buy specialized food, you will temporarily have to switch to natural food. In this case, the pet’s diet will include pureed vegetables and meat:
- rabbit,
- veal,
- chicken,
- turkey.
Several times a week you can give your dog low-fat cottage cheese, kefir and natural yogurt. They are useful for strengthening bone tissue. To avoid vitamin A deficiency, once a week you can give your dog boiled fish, previously deboned.
Manifestations of anemia
Anemia in dogs is divided into several types. For example,
- Posthemorrhagic pathology (occurs after major blood loss). Symptoms: pale mucous membranes and tongue, hemorrhages under the pet’s skin.
- Hypoplastic anemia. Characterized by a lack of vitamins, micro- and macroelements in the body. May be caused by toxic damage to the bone marrow.
- Nutritional. Root cause: incorrect, meager, unbalanced pet menu from an early age. Sometimes the reason is a pathology of intestinal absorption.
- Aplastic form. Develops due to impaired hematopoietic function.
Symptoms: the dog has a white or hot tongue, the dog does not get up on its feet very often, does not stand up when called by name, moves less, gets tired quickly, lies a lot. She has poor appetite, her mucous membranes and tongue turn pale and may even turn blue. The gums are cold to the touch upon palpation. There is shortness of breath, abnormal bowel movements, the pet often drinks, and may have a fever. The examination reveals an increase in organs.
Disease prevention
Severe forms of gingivitis can lead to serious and unpleasant consequences for the dog. To avoid complications, follow simple preventive measures. The first rule is to ensure thorough oral hygiene.
Brush your teeth regularly with veterinary toothpaste. To remove plaque, use special products. Don't forget about ultrasonic teeth cleaning. At the same time, small breed dogs are at particular risk.
Recommendations for the prevention of gingivitis:
- provide healthy and balanced nutrition,
- alternate dry and soft food,
- don't give your dog bones
- provide timely anthelmintic treatment,
- give your pet vitamins (in consultation with your veterinarian),
- and most importantly, visit the veterinary clinic 1-2 times a year.
Gingivitis in dogs can be successfully treated, but the main thing is to promptly contact a veterinarian at the first signs of gum inflammation!
The dog does not eat anything: how to determine that the dog is sick
their health is in your hands. You should closely monitor your animal, and at the first sign of illness, change in appearance or behavior, check to see if the dog is sick.
First, a few words about what a healthy dog looks like.
A healthy animal has a good appetite, smooth and shiny coat, a cold and moist nose (during sleep it can be dry and warm), the mucous membranes are pink and moderately moist.
Signs of an animal's health are its vigor and mobility. Important criteria for assessing a dog's health are temperature, pulse and respiration rate.
A normal temperature is considered to be from 37.5 to 39.2 degrees Celsius in large breed dogs, and from 38.5 to 39.4 degrees in small dogs. A rise in temperature above the specified values may indicate the onset of a pathological process (inflammation, infectious disease, etc.). Remember, or better yet, write down your dog’s normal body temperature at rest.
Remember that the animal’s body temperature may increase during excitement and fear, after physical exertion, as well as in hot weather, poisoning, electric shock or hyperfunction of the thyroid gland.
The pulse reflects the frequency and rhythm of the heartbeat, as well as the force of the heart muscle impulses. At rest, the heart rate of a healthy dog ranges from 70 to 120 beats per minute. Large dogs and animals that lead a quieter lifestyle have a slower heartbeat. The pulse increases when the temperature rises, during inflammatory processes, pain, physical exertion, overexcitation, fear and hot weather. In puppies and small breed dogs, the heart rate can reach 160 beats per minute.
Count and record your dog's resting heart rate - this will help you determine in the future whether his rate has changed in a given situation. It is enough to calculate the number of shocks in 15 seconds, and then multiply the resulting value by 4.
It is convenient to determine the respiratory rate by movements of the chest, abdominal wall or wings of the nose. Normally, it ranges from 12 to 25 respiratory movements per minute. Puppies and young animals, which have a more active metabolism than adults, breathe more quickly than adult dogs, and females breathe more frequently than males. In addition, small dogs breathe at a higher rate than large dogs. Changes in your dog's breathing rate can be caused by fear, pain, shock, or respiratory illness. It should also be taken into account that breathing becomes more frequent in hot weather, during physical activity, and when the dog is excited. The breathing of a healthy animal after exercise is restored within a few minutes. Difficulty breathing can be caused by heatstroke or, in rare cases, a lack of calcium in the blood during lactation in bitches. An animal can suffocate due to heart failure, inflammation of the genitourinary system, and also when swallowing a foreign object.
A sick dog differs in appearance and behavior from a healthy one. It is known that any disease causes in the body of any animal, including a dog, a whole series of more or less serious disorders that have various visible manifestations.
When an illness occurs, a dog's behavior changes. She becomes lethargic, lies down more, looks sad, tries to hide in a quiet darkened place, responds reluctantly to calls or, on the contrary, becomes overly excited, constantly moves around the apartment, whines pitifully and is even aggressive. Movements may become awkward and uncoordinated. Signs of the onset of the disease can also include fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia, or, conversely, increased drowsiness.
A sick dog often has discharge (purulent, mucous, etc.) from the nose, eyes, mouth and other organs. Colorless discharge may indicate anemia, yellowish discharge may indicate liver damage, bloody discharge may indicate serious infection or poisoning, and bluish discharge may indicate heart failure or disturbances in the circulatory system.
The coat becomes disheveled, dull, increased shedding may occur, the skin may change color (for example, acquire a jaundiced tint), elasticity.
Nasal speculum. Dry, constantly hot, cracked skin, “asphalt” nose, mucopurulent discharge from the nostrils, the formation of dry crusts.
Eyes. Discharge of pus, squinting, itching of the skin of the eyelids, yellowing of the mucous membrane.
Oral cavity. Increased salivation, bad breath, gums and tongue may be covered with plaque or ulcers. Pallor, cyanosis or yellowness of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity are possible.
Digestion. Various disorders are possible: diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, flatulence, pain during defecation, etc. Drops of blood in the feces also indicate a serious internal pathology. Stomach bleeding, and, first of all, intestinal bleeding, is indicated by stool that is dark, almost black, in color.
Genitourinary system. Increased urination, urinary incontinence, lack of urination, pain when emptying the bladder, the color of urine (normally yellow) and its quantity change, an unpleasant odor appears, mucopurulent discharge from the genitals, hunched back, stiff gait, pain in the lumbar region . A sweetish smell from the mouth may also indicate that your dog has kidney problems. Diseases that make it difficult to urinate and pass food can be tumor, prostate hypertrophy, cystitis and others.
Breath. It becomes frequent or, conversely, rare and superficial (if painful), wheezing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and hoarse barking appear. Shortness of breath in a dog can be caused by increased physical activity, pneumonia or emphysema, which, in turn, is a consequence of poisoning. Difficulty breathing is observed with pleurisy, heart failure, anemia, and heartworms. In older dogs, a sign of heart failure may be a cough.
Lymphatic system. Enlarged lymph nodes, as a rule, indicate the presence of an inflammatory process. Most often, the submandibular lymph nodes are involved in this process, so you should learn to find and feel them.
Increased thirst may be associated with a cold, diabetes, dropsy, renal failure, or other kidney diseases, and if it is accompanied by physical weakness and odor from the mouth, this most likely indicates uremia.
Vomiting develops in response to poisonous herbs entering the stomach and in general during poisoning, with helminthic infestation, and traveling in transport; vomiting and increasing physical weakness in combination with constipation indicate intestinal obstruction and the presence of a foreign body in the intestine.
Yellowness of the mucous membranes can be a sign of hepatitis, poisoning, leptospirosis, and piroplasmosis.
Increased salivation occurs when the tongue and oral cavity are damaged, when a foreign body enters the esophagus, during heat and sunstroke, during poisoning and some liver diseases. It can also be a symptom of such a terrible disease as rabies.
The dog's posture can tell a lot. A healthy animal rests or sleeps in a relaxed position, with its torso straightened and limbs stretched out. A sick dog takes a forced position that helps reduce pain or any discomfort. In particular, with heart disease, the dog stands with its forelimbs spread wide apart - this makes breathing easier; The dog holds the injured limb suspended; with urolithiasis, intermittent claudication is possible on the hind legs on the left or right, according to a diseased kidney, etc.
The above symptoms can manifest themselves to varying degrees, and their combination also varies widely. If you are concerned about anything about your dog's health, call your veterinarian or the nearest veterinary clinic (try to always have these numbers at hand or in a visible place). A telephone consultation may be sufficient to help your pet.
Remember that in order to provide timely first aid, you should always have a veterinary first aid kit on hand.
