{"id":60,"date":"2016-06-06T16:34:06","date_gmt":"2016-06-06T21:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:s\/\/www.mybeevet.com\/blog\/?p=60"},"modified":"2024-09-09T08:37:42","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T13:37:42","slug":"bad-pet-breath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mybeevet.com\/blog\/bad-pet-breath\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond Bad Pet Breath: Why Dental Care Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"KittenYou\u2019ve just plopped down on the couch at day\u2019s end, set to snuggle up with your fur friend, when \u2013 phew! What is that smell? Oh no… the bad breath is coming from the slobberingly happy dog or cat before you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bad pet breath is not so unusual, and yet it can signal the onset of dental disease. <\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, many pet owners assume bad breath (halitosis) is simply par for the course with pets. This assumption, however, can mean serious health problems and pain for a pet with untreated dental conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pet Dental Disease, the Silent Threat<\/b><\/h3>\n

Periodontal disease, of dental disease, is the most common condition diagnosed in pets over 3 years of age. And, as in humans, the disease develops when plaque and tartar are allowed to build, causing gum inflammation, tooth discoloration, and eventually, periodontal disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

These conditions may seem like they would only impact the gum and teeth; however, aside from the pain and compromise to the oral cavity, the disease creates infections that harm organs, such as the heart and kidneys.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pets with untreated dental disease, in fact, often lose 1-3 years off of total lifespan, which is, sadly, a significant percentage of a pet\u2019s life. <\/span><\/p>\n

Along with conditions such as heart, liver, and kidney diseases, ongoing dental disease causes serious pain, which results in weight loss and decreased quality of life. Yet, many pet owners are not aware that this is a preventable disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bad Breath and Other Symptoms<\/b><\/h3>\n

One of the problems with the early detection of dental conditions lies with its ambiguity. Without a dental exam performed by a veterinarian, many pets will experience the unfortunate progression of dental disease and complications because symptoms are often few or unnoticeable.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, one of the most common signs something is wrong is bad breath, but it\u2019s often chalked up to \u201cjust doggy\/kitty breath\u201d, rather than a sign of something more serious.<\/span><\/p>\n

When other symptoms (and, usually these occur with worsening dental health) do appear, they are often:<\/span><\/p>\n