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2 1 3 Not just FRESH, HEALTHY too. Innovative FR3SH technology targets the causes of bad breath 3 ways: NEW 1 C LEA N S E 2 C O O L 3 D I GE S T I V E The power of Smelly breath in dogs is a very common and not so pleasant, complaint from dog owners. Sometimes the smell might just be from eating something a bit gross and stinky but if that bad smell is around often or most of the time it might indicate that something else is going on. Discussed in this article are some common reasons for bad breath in dogs. Oral Health Most reasons for bad breath in dogs can be linked to oral health. The most common cause is periodontal disease which is a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth. This then leads to inflammation of the gums and bacterial growth. Other oral health conditions that can cause bad breath include tooth decay, tooth fractures or gum infections. These can result in an excessive amount of bad bacteria building up in the mouth which then causes bad breath. Thankfully most oral health concerns can be helped by a veterinarian and even prevented or managed. Foreign Bodies Having a foreign body lodged in the mouth, teeth or gums can cause bad breath. Things like splinters from sticks or pieces of string/material can get stuck and lodged between the teeth or in the gums. The longer the foreign body is there for the worse the smell will probably get as more bacteria and infection begins to build up. Bad breath from a foreign body in the mouth is often accompanied by pain when eating or refusal to eat and/or excessive drooling. Diabetes Diabetes in dogs can cause their breath to smell sweet, fruity or like acetone (nail polish remover). This smell is because of the buildup of ketones in the body which can happen to dog's with diabetes. Kidney Disease If your dog's breath smells really bad, some say it smells like they may have recently eaten poop, or has a strong ammonia smell, it could be a sign of kidney disease or failure. The kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins and waste materials from the body. When the kidneys aren't functioning properly these toxins can build up in the dog's system and result in bad breath. If your dog does have bad breath, and especially when combined with mouth ulcers or pale gums, it could be a sign of kidney problems. Liver Disease One sign of liver disease in dogs is the sudden onset of strong foul smelling breath. If the bad smelling breath is accompanied by vomiting or diarrhoea it could likely be caused by liver failure and the dog needs immediate veterinary attention. If your dog has bad breath you should visit a veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment options. If the bad breath comes on suddenly or is accompanied with any other symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea please see a veterinarian immediately to rule out any serious medical conditions. Ü For more information on dog dental health visit vetnpetDIRECT on YouTube for informative videos. Why does my dog's breath smell?

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