Bad breath..

[fluffy pluffy]

I've noticed that Carlin has smelly breath..Er,well not just noticed it,after running around he put his face right in front of me this morning and panted.. Yuck!  Since dogs can't use breath mints,or mouthwash,all I can think of are dog biscuits.Is there anything I can get for him to get rid of his horrible-smelling breath? (It smells like a pack of skunks!  )

[Ratwings]

The smell is probably caused by periodontal disease, which means he should have a professional teeth cleaning done at the veterinarian. This requires anesthesia and he may need to have extractions of some of his teeth are too rotted. Dental disease is not only smelly, but it is painful for the animals and can effect their organs because all the bacteria building up in the mouth enters the bloodstream.  After a dental the only way to keep the teeth clean is to brush daily or include raw meaty bones in the diet. Dog biscuits, kibble, or "dental treats" such as greenies or dental bones do NOT work as they claim to. Seriously... would want to chew on some crunchy biscuits every day instead of brushing your teeth? Do you really think your teeth would remain white and clean and non-stinky?

[star2]

I've noticed lately that Carl's breath is a little stinky.  He's VERY good about letting me look in his mouth (unlike trimming his nails!) and I've noticed a little build-up, mostly on his canines.
Tomorrow I'm going to make an appointment to have his teeth cleaned.  I always get nervous about the anesthesia...but I guess if my 1 lb rat could go "under" to get a tumor removed, my 13-lber will be fine

[fluffy pluffy]

Thanks for the answers,guys. Where's a good place to find a dog tooth-brush? And do I just use water to brush his teeth,or is there some special stuff I need to buy? It would at least help,until we can get a check-up for him. (And it would also help,that our cats would quite killing birds and moles,because Carlin keeps attempting to eat them! We've repeatedly put bells on the cat's collars,but they just pull the bells off..Sneaky little felines..    )

[star2]

This website seems to be helpful
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/teeth.htm

I got Carl's toothbrush from Petsmart.  It came in a set with the toothbrush (two sided- one side bigger than the other), beef-flavored toothpaste (delicious), and a rubber nubby cap that fits over your finger (featured on the above website)

The second page of that website shows a picture of what Carl's teeth look like- the picture with the "tartar scale" that comes off easily.  I chipped one off Carl's tooth with my fingernail   Since his teeth aren't bad at all, do you think I should hold off on the dental?

[Heather]

Raw meaty bones are so much easier than brushing teeth...

[Lise]

The second page of that website shows a picture of what Carl's teeth look like- the picture with the "tartar scale" that comes off easily.  I chipped one off Carl's tooth with my fingernail   Since his teeth aren't bad at all, do you think I should hold off on the dental?

I took a look at those pictures -- and if his teeth look like that, I would definitely have a dental done.  It is much easier to get a dental done while the teeth under the tartar are still in good shape and can be cleaned up well.  That kind of tartar NEEDS to come off. If you leave it too long.... the gums will become affected as well as the teeth, the roots will start to break down, and teeth will become unhealthy and need to be removed.

Unfortunately many people leave dentals for far too late -- when many of the teeth in the mouth need to be removed because they are too far gone to clean up and get re-rooted/re-attached to the gingiva.

Also if you do it now while it is only mild-moderate calculus on the teeth rather than full blown periodontal disease, the anesthesia may only be for 1/2 - 1 hr rather than 2 or more!

[Rat girl]

From what i understand, Carlin is fairly young?  I don't see how she would need a dental so soon.  If she's getting ahold of dead animals, that probably doesn't help.

And as for Carl,
At my clinic, we have "grades", like a scale, and it helps to give you an understanding of what is going on, and what kind of urgency it has.  Grade 1 is just a little tarter, nothing horrible.  Grade 5 is diseased, beyond help. If you're not sure, definitely go in for a routine checkup and your vet can give his/her opinion.  If you have been in recently, i would think your vet would have checked his teeth and said something about it.  But, i dont know if all vets are proactive about that.  If its been awhile, definitely go see them   In my experience, large breed dogs under the age of 5 are usually a Grade 1, and under 2 aren't even on the "Scale" at all.  Small breed dogs seem to be extremely different, i've seen some 2 and 3 year olds at grades 2 and 3 - 3 being when periodontal disease has started - and theres no turning back from there.

And i just want to point out that dental disease is not only just a mouth problem, eventually the disease gets into the body system and causes MANY more problems.  Be proactive, have routine dentals (especially for small breed dogs) after a certain age, and you shouldn't have any problems.  My vet/boss likes to say that Obesity and Periodontal Disease, are the two biggest factors effecting "Quality and Quantity" of life - and are two of the many most commonly overlooked.   Underestimating them is the biggest mistake you can make.  Ugh, i sound just like him now.... i need a vacation   

We do send toothbrush kits home after dentals - but... honestly, unless you brush them BEFORE tarter builds up, you're not going to do any good.  If you've never seen a "Tarter Cracker" (a tool used in dentals) being used, you'll never understand 

[fluffy pluffy]

Ok,thanks Rat Girl (Oh,By the way,Carlin is a boy's name,lol.) And yes,Carlin's not even a year old yet,I don't think,and if he is,then I don't think his tarter problem shouldn't be as bad as I think. If his teeth did need professional cleaning,about how much would it cost? I think we may able to get a dog teeth-cleaning set,just to help.

[Kati33]

Yep- brushing DAILY is the best way to keep teeth healthy. I wouldn't say it won't do any good brushing after their is tartar build up, you just won't get any of the existing tartar off the teeth. You will still be preventing further build up, and it is a good start on getting the dog used to brushing before a dental, thus easier to keep up with it after the teeth are clean. You can brush with just water, as it is the brushing action that does the most good, but there are many dog toothpastes out there and the flavor may help the dog accept brushing- just make sure to avoid human ones as they aren't intended to be swallowed, and I have yet to meet a dog that will spit and rinse. I personally like the CET toothpastes. I have used children's toothbrushes for my dogs in the past, but now I use an electric Oral B (this one).

I would also note that there is a veterinary group that is similar to the human dental group that approves which products (treats, food, etc) actually improve dental health, so it doesn't hurt to look for VOHC approved products (a list can be found Here). Here is a good article by Dr. Hale, a veterinary dentist about homecare. And for those of you considering dentals for your pet, please go to a vet that will do a COHAT (comprehensive oral health assesment and treatment) properly under anesthesia. There are many people out there (vets, groomers, etc.) that claim to provide dental cleanings that are "anesthesia-free". Dr. Hale has a good article about that as well.

Can you tell I was the dental nerd in my vet school class?

[star2]

I'm going to set up an appointment and take Carl to the vet, to ask his opinion.  If he thinks Carl needs a dental, then he'll get a dental
Here's a (blurry) picture of Carl's canine.  I accidentally focused on his nose in the picture 

[Rat girl]

Sorry Carlin, for calling you a girl.    I knew that, lol.

Carls teeth don't look that bad at all, but its always good to nip it in the bud before it gets worse. If he has no existing tarter anywhere else, you could probably wait.  If its just the canines (which it seems to be).  Good idea to go to the vet and get his/her opinion.  Carl has a cute nose, of course you focused on it! 

[star2]

Thanks Rat Girl   I think I'll take him to the vet just to see what he recommends.  Can't hurt, right?

And his nose IS very cute...I can't believe how gray it's getting though!!  He's not even 3 

[E!!]

Raw meaty bones are so much easier than brushing teeth...

I have heard turkey necks are good for this, is that true? How often should they get them? My dogs are fed a good quality kibble diet so they don't get bones or anything currently. What would you suggest?

[Heather]

Whole turkey necks, chicken quarters, backs, pork neck bones - all good. I personally would feed them everyday if I were feeding kibble and reduce the amount to make up for the extra calories from the raw. You can determine the amount to feed by multiplying your dog's weight by 2% and then reducing it by half- feeding kibble in the morning and RMB at night or vice versa. Cut kibble consumption in half as well. If you notice weight gain, feed slightly smaller RMBs (depending what kind of dog you have) or less kibble. You want to make sure not to feed too small of RMBs because dogs do not "chew" their food- they crunch and swallow. They are designed to tear off large chunks of meat and swallow it so always be aware that larger is better and always always supervise. I supervised my dog while eating kibble even. I think it's just being safe no matter what a person is feeding to always make sure no problems arise. Many dogs have choked to death on kibble.

Edit- if you do not want to feed RMBs everyday then atleast 4 times a week (that's like brushing the goo off your own teeth four times a week) and still cut kibble in half for that day. Chicken quarters you can buy cheap at walmart for 49c/lb. Do not ever feed femur or knuckel bones as they are so dense they crack teeth often.

[LadyRattus]

Hey, I've been wondering about teeth brushing dogs for a while.
Since Molly's breath never smells the best... 

I can see the built up hard plaque 'scale' and I chiped once piece off with my finger, but couldn't get anyothers off, too tough, plus I have no finger nails...
The place where I chiped the plaque bled a little, is that bad?

[chiropteragirl]

Parsley is good for bad breath. Just chop some up and sprinkle it over your dogs food.

Or, if you live near a PetCo or a Petcetera, you could try these:
http://www.petco.com/product/9665/Yip-Yap-Breath-Fresheners-for-Dogs.aspx 

[fluffy pluffy]

Huh..Parsley,I'll try that sometime,and see how it works.
Certainly couldn't make Carlin's breath any worse..Right?