February is Pet Dental Health Month, so there’s no better time to discuss dog-related dental issues. And if you’re here because you’ve uttered the phrase, “help, my dog’s gums are bleeding!, you’ve come to the right place.
Do your dog’s gums bleed? Do they have trouble chewing? Bad breath? If yes, the following information might be helpful.
Causes of Gum/Teeth Bleeding in Dogs
Not all instances of gum bleeding in dogs are due to disease:
- Teething in puppies
- Foreign materials such as splinters from chewing on a stick
- Dislocated (luxated) tooth
- Gingivitis
- Oral Tumors
Doggie Dental Issues are Common
According to Purdue University, “periodontal disease is one of the most common health problems affecting adult dogs”, and “up to 80% of all dogs are believed to have some degree of periodontal disease by age 2”.
Here are the top signs of pet dental disease:
-Bad breath
-Red gums
-Discolored teeth
-Loose teeth
-Broken teeth
-Bleeding from the mouth
-Tenderness around the mouth
-Drooling
-Dropping food
-Weight loss
-Poor appetite
“Doggy Breath” is a Myth
Okay, so ‘normal’ dog breath doesn’t exactly smell like roses, but their breath shouldn’t be FOUL. According to Tuft’s University Veterinary Medicine, “periodontal disease, tooth abscess and cancerous oral tumors can have a foul odor.” Most importantly, if you notice a drastic change in your dog’s breath, a visit to the vet is in order. Again, the baseline smell for dog breath isn’t exactly great, but it generally shouldn’t make you want to wretch.
What Should I Do?
Oral bleeding is generally an emergency situation that should be resolved quickly. Like human dental care, waiting too long leads to bad outcomes and higher bills! I experienced this last year when I shelled out several hundred bucks for a root canal.
If you’re like many pet owners, the thought of going to an emergency vet hospital is unsettling because they are costly. Fortunately, most veterinarians reserve a few appointments per day for urgent issues. At the first sign of bleeding, make the call and go from there. the same goes for any doggie dental issue – the sooner you resolve the issue, the better the outcome!