Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Donovan Kelly on Pexels Bad breath is very common in dogs and cats, but it’s not normal. Unpleasant mouth odor that lasts longer than a day or two warrants a visit to a veterinarian. Bad breath is often the first (and sometimes the only) clue that an animal has dental disease or another medical condition. “Breath fresheners” aren’t likely to work because they don’t treat the cause of the problem.
Dental Disease Dental disease is by far the most common cause of bad breath in dogs and cats. Bacteria in the mouth produce plaque, a sticky biofilm that attaches to tooth surfaces. Within a few days the plaque hardens into tartar. Plaque can be removed by tooth brushing, but tartar removal requires professional cleaning with dental instruments. Plaque also causes gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis leads to periodontal disease, which affects the bone and other structures holding the teeth in place. Abscesses can form around the tooth roots. Periodontal disease is painful, but dogs and cats often don’t show signs of mouth pain that a human can easily detect. The most obvious visible sign of dental disease is tartar. But animals—especially cats—can have serious periodontal disease without having very much tartar at all. Watch for these signs of dental and periodontal disease in your pets:
A complete dental procedure for a dog or cat requires general anesthesia; otherwise the procedure would be scary and uncomfortable for the animal. A comprehensive procedure includes oral radiographs, a complete oral examination, probing around the tooth roots, tooth scaling, and polishing to smooth out scratches left by scaling. To prevent painful periodontal disease in your pets, don’t ignore early signs like bad breath. Brush your pet’s teeth regularly to remove plaque before it hardens into tartar. If your pet already has gingivitis or periodontal disease, brushing might be painful, so follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for home dental care. Schedule a dental procedure if your veterinarian recommends it. Foreign Object in the Mouth String or hair wrapped around teeth, food particles stuck between teeth, sticks wedged across the palate, and other foreign objects are relatively common causes of bad breath in animals. Sedation or anesthesia might be needed for safe removal. Objects lodged in the mouth can cause infection, so animals might also need antibiotics. Skin Disease or Trauma Around the Mouth Anything that affects the lips, tongue, and other tissues inside the mouth can cause bad breath. Some examples are bacterial and fungal skin infections, electrocution after chewing an electrical cord, jaw fractures, exposure to caustic substances, and cancer involving the mouth. Disease Elsewhere in the Body Metabolic diseases like diabetes and kidney disease can change breath odor. Respiratory infections produce secretions that lead to mouth odor in some animals. Disorders of the digestive system can also cause unpleasant breath. Eating Something Smelly Poop is delicious—to some dogs, anyway. Dogs are more likely than cats to eat something disgusting (to a human) or rotten, but cat treats and cat foods can cause pretty strong fish breath. Licking the anal glands can cause anal gland odor from the mouth. For these particular mouth odors, tooth brushing and dental treats might help, assuming your pet doesn’t keep eating the smelly thing. Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-white-and-brown-long-coated-dog-9623165/ Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Anastasiya D on Unsplash Indoor cats need a cat-friendly environment with features that support their mental and physical health. Many behavioral and medical problems of cats, including fighting and urinary tract blockage, are linked to stress and anxiety. Environmental enrichment reduces stress for indoor cats, making them happier and healthier.
Cats are inquisitive animals that need to be able to do cat things like hunt and scratch. (Animal welfare experts call this the ability to express normal species-specific behaviors.) By nature, cats are predators who hunt alone. Pet cats who lounge all day on the sofa have the same solitary hunting instinct as their wild counterparts. Here’s how to make sure your home meets your cat’s environmental needs. These five features are from the Feline Veterinary Medical Association’s 2025 position statement on meeting the needs of indoor cats:
A Safe Place Each cat in the household needs a personal retreat, somewhere to rest and feel protected. Examples are cat perches, cardboard boxes, and cat carriers. The home should have at least one retreat per cat, spaced far enough apart that cats don’t have to interact with each other if they don’t want to. A retreat should be sized to fit only one cat and should have more than one entrance/exit so the cat doesn’t feel trapped. Cats tend to prefer retreats that have sides and are raised off the ground. Multiple, Separated Key Resources Key resources for cats are food, water, litter boxes, scratching posts/pads, play areas, and sleeping areas. The home should have enough of these resources for every cat, separated so that each cat has free access without having to compete with other cats. For litter boxes, the usual recommendation is to have more than one litter box per cat (for example, three litter boxes for two cats) and to scoop them out daily. Cats need to have safe access to these resources without being blocked by dogs or other hazards. Cats with mobility limitations might need steps, ramps, and litter boxes with side cutouts for easy access. Opportunities for Play and Predatory Behavior Play with your cat using interactive toys that simulate prey behavior. Examples are toy mice pulled across the floor, flirt poles like feathers on a wand, balls to chase in a (dry!) bathtub, and food puzzles. Let your cat catch the “prey” sometimes to avoid frustration. Be safe: avoid loose strings that your cat might swallow, use objects and not your hands to avoid being bitten, and never aim a laser pointer toward any animal’s or person’s eyes. Positive, Consistent Human-Cat Interaction For a cat, “positive human-cat interaction” means the cat gets to decide how much and what kind of interaction to have. Some cats are cuddle bugs and love being petted; others would rather stay in their own space. Respect your cat’s preferences for human contact and be sure everybody in the home, including visitors, knows not to force interaction if your cat doesn’t want it. Side note: a change in this behavior can be caused by pain or other medical problems. Contact your veterinarian if your cat has started avoiding petting or is hiding more than usual. Environment That Respects the Cat’s Sense of Smell Cats mark their territory with scent by rubbing their face and body on objects. They are also sensitive to odors. Don’t clean your cat’s scent off of marked areas, especially if you are bringing in a new cat or if there are other changes to the household environment. Scented cleaners, cat litter, and candles can be sources of stress for some cats (and might also worsen asthma signs for the many cats with this condition). For more information
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-cat-on-a-leash-0mg7-DHCHuo Guest post by Katie Waller, DVM Dogs are full of curiosity, energy, and the desire to engage with the world around them. Enrichment and activities are crucial for a dog's well-being and memory capabilities, preventing boredom and promoting both mental and physical stimulation. With the right guidance and enrichment, you’ll not only meet their needs—you’ll deepen the bond between you.
How do you know your dog needs more enrichment? There are many ways dogs can alert us that they need more enrichment in their lives. Some of the most common ways are excessive barking, chewing on inappropriate objects, digging, restlessness, or even zoomies. If you feel your dog exhibits these behaviors often, you may need to consider adding in some more or different types of enrichment! What is enrichment? Most dog owners are familiar with physical enrichment - taking your dog for a walk, playing fetch in the yard, etc. But enrichment can be so many more things! Enrichment is any activity that encourages your dog to use its senses, explore, problem-solve, or engage in a physical activity. We will explore different types of enrichment below.
How can this be applied to your dog’s daily life? Now that you know the different types of enrichment, you can start to include these in your dog’s daily routine. There are so many different ideas and activities to try, it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to begin. Remember, every dog has its own personality so start by implementing enrichment activities that you know your dog will engage with. For example: if your dog is very food motivated, consider adding food puzzle toys occasionally or using these to feed whole meals. Below are a variety of enrichment ideas to get you and your dog started:
Whether you have a young, energetic dog or an older, senior dog, all dogs will benefit from daily physical and mental stimulation. When you focus on meeting your dog’s natural needs through intentional enrichment, you support their mental and physical health, strengthen your bond, and create a happier, more confident dog. Dog enrichment doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming. The best enrichment plan is one that works for you and your dog. Getting started is sometimes the hardest part, but once you create a balanced routine, you and your pet will thrive. Try a new activity, see how your dog responds, and have fun from there by discovering what they enjoy! When you get the mix of structure and stimulation right, your dog won’t just calm down—they’ll be living their best life. Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Leohoho on Unsplash Dietary supplements can contain ingredients that aren’t safe for dogs and cats. These products are available without a prescription and often marketed as “natural,” so you might assume they’re not dangerous. But dietary supplements are not FDA regulated for safety and effectiveness, and their formulations can change without notice.
The following is a short list of potentially dangerous ingredients in supplements sold for animals and for humans. With supplements intended for animals, the main risk is overdose. If you have one of these products, be sure your pets don’t have access to the whole container (especially with flavored products). With supplements intended for humans, even a small dose of a problem ingredient can pose a serious risk to animals. Supplements for Animals L-Tryptophan Some products marketed as calming supplements for pets contain L-tryptophan. Large amounts of L-tryptophan can cause trouble with the digestive and nervous systems. Signs in dogs include vomiting, excessive drooling, tremors, and coordination problems. Methionine in “Grass Saver” Supplements Supplements to reduce grass discoloration caused by urine are available even though they aren’t likely to work. These supplements contain methionine, which makes urine acidic. High doses of methionine cause tremors and seizures. Glucosamine and Manganese Pet joint supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin are generally safe. However, these supplements can also contain manganese, and an overdose of manganese can cause liver failure. Many joint supplements are flavored chews, increasing the risk of overdose. An overdose of flavored chews can also lead to bloating and shifts in blood electrolyte levels. Supplements for Humans Alpha-Lipoic Acid Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant included in supplements to support a variety of conditions in people. ALA might also be in joint supplements for dogs. Cats are much more susceptible than dogs to the toxic effects. Even small amounts of ALA are dangerous to cats. High doses of ALA in dogs and cats can cause vomiting, low blood sugar, liver problems, tremors, and seizures. Overdose can be fatal. Iron Supplements for humans are the main source of iron exposure for pets. Iron levels are higher in prenatal vitamins and iron supplements than in typical multivitamins. In dogs and cats, iron toxicosis causes stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and liver failure. Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) Although vitamin D is necessary for healthy bones and muscles, it’s toxic in high doses. Human vitamins are one source of exposure for pets; cholecalciferol is also in some mouse and rat poisons. Cholecalciferol toxicosis causes vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney damage. Caffeine Caffeine is often in supplements marketed for energy or weight loss. Products containing green tea extract, coffee bean extract, or guarana contain caffeine. In dogs and cats, caffeine can cause vomiting, restlessness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, and seizures. Very high doses can be fatal. Xylitol Xylitol is a natural sweetener in many flavored products, including flavored chewable supplements for people. Xylitol isn’t harmful to people or cats. In dogs, though, xylitol causes a dangerous drop in blood sugar and can also damage the liver. If untreated, xylitol toxicosis can be fatal to dogs. Sources
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-and-yellow-medication-tablets-DRchVK5apjw Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Alexa on Pixabay In the last few months, several animals in the Carolinas have tested positive for rabies, and a number of people and pets have been exposed to the virus. These are a few of the recent rabies cases and some statistics:
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that causes encephalitis, or brain inflammation. It is not curable but is very easy to prevent with the rabies vaccine. The virus is spread through saliva or nervous system tissue of infected animals. The virus is usually transmitted through a bite, scratch, or contact of infected saliva with broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes or mouth). Infected animals can transmit rabies before they show any signs of infection. This is one reason stray cats and feral cat colonies are a special risk for people. People are more likely to come in contact with stray cats than with wildlife. People who handle infected kittens and adult cats can be exposed to rabies without realizing the animal is carrying the virus. In North Carolina and South Carolina, rabies vaccination is mandated by law for all pet dogs, cats, and ferrets older than 4 months. An animal’s rabies vaccination status (current, overdue, or not documented) affects what happens to that animal if it’s exposed to rabies or bites someone, so don’t let your pets’ rabies vaccines expire. Local animal control officials decide whether an animal will be quarantined at home, quarantined at a facility, or euthanized for rabies testing, and that decision is based partly on rabies vaccination status. Take these steps to protect your pets and yourself from rabies:
Sources
Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/raccoon-animal-mammal-nature-fur-3538081/ Guest post by Katie Waller, DVM As the holiday time is upon us, some of you may be traveling with your pets. Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, there are often very specific requirements for pet travel. As the owner, it is your responsibility to check the requirements before traveling!
Health certificates are the most common travel documentation needed for pets. These are under the oversight of the USDA and must be written and signed by a USDA accredited veterinarian. Not all veterinarians maintain this accreditation, so make sure to check with your veterinary office before needing a health certificate. Health certificates are required for all overseas or international travel, and they can be required for domestic travel in some cases. Certain destinations may also require specific vaccines or testing before being granted entry. Make sure to check ALL the requirements early to ensure your travel will not be delayed by pet quarantine. You can find all the necessary information for each destination below: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel Domestic Travel - Most states within the continental United States do not regulate pet travel. You should have a valid Rabies certificate, but a health certificate is usually not needed. - Hawaii and Alaska regulate pet travel more heavily, even though they are still part of the United States. These states usually require a valid health certificate, in addition to specific vaccine and testing requirements. International Travel - Almost all countries require a valid health certificate for pets to be granted entry. Most also have additional vaccines and testing requirements that must be completed correctly. *Don’t forget to check with your airline as they may have additional requirements even when traveling domestically!!* Traveling with your pet can be a stressful experience, especially if there are a lot of requirements for a health certificate. There are concierge companies that will do the research work for you. These companies will gather all the necessary information required for your pet to travel and give you a custom timeline for what is needed. Below are a couple companies we recommend if this is a service you would like to explore: https://www.continentalpetrelocation.com/ https://pettravelcertificates.com/parents/ Health certificates can be a time intensive process so be sure to start your research early. Each destination varies with how long a health certificate is valid and if vaccines or testing must be performed at specific time intervals before travel. It is your responsibility to gather all the necessary information regarding testing, vaccines, and any other requirements before requesting a health certificate from your veterinarian. Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Alexander Jawfox on Unsplash As the weather cools down and the holiday season approaches, keep an eye out for potential hazards for your pets.
Halloween, Tailgating, and Other Fall Festivities You probably already know that chocolate isn’t safe for pets. Other potentially dangerous foods that pets can get hold of during autumn festivities include xylitol (sweetener in some candies and store-bought baked goods), raisins, onions, garlic, raw yeast dough, and alcohol. Corncobs, candy wrappers, and decorations are choking hazards and can also get stuck in the digestive system if they’re swallowed. If you want to give your dog corn, use corn kernels instead of cobs (and no salt or butter). Glow sticks and glow jewelry contain a liquid that tastes bitter and can cause drooling, gagging, and vomiting. If you dress your pet in a Halloween costume, use one that has no dangling strings and doesn’t interfere with your pet’s vision and mobility. Also think about your pet’s comfort: does your pet actually enjoy wearing a costume, or do you need to either skip the costume or leave it on just long enough for a photo? During trick or treating, keep your pets safely away from the open front door. Make sure their microchip information is up to date in case they escape. Strangers in costumes can be scary for animals, and some pets react to doorbells. Outdoor Hazards Autumn crocus (Colchicum species) is toxic to animals. If swallowed, it can cause vomiting, digestive tract bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and seizures. Chrysanthemums are mildly toxic and might cause vomiting, diarrhea, or stumbling gait. Most mushrooms are safe but some are deadly, so keep your pets away from all wild mushrooms. Compost piles and leaf piles can contain toxic molds. Leaf piles might also harbor rodents, dangerous objects, and bacteria, so take care before letting your dog jump in them. While camping or hiking, keep dogs on leash so they’ll stay on trails, away from hunters and most wildlife (including snakes). It’s a good idea to wear bright colors for visibility during hunting season. Some dogs need to wear clothing for extra warmth. Dogs that aren’t used to camping might be startled by campfires. Use commonsense fire safety precautions to protect pets from sparks and embers, and keep them away from fire starters and chunks of wood that could pose a choking hazard. Change of Seasons Some kinds of antifreeze are deadly to animals; pets can be exposed as their families prepare cars, boats, and campers for the winter. Mothballs can cause vomiting, liver and kidney damage, and red blood cell damage if swallowed. As the weather changes and fields are harvested, rodents are on the move and might enter houses. If you need to remove rodents from your house, use nontoxic methods like traps. Rodenticides (mouse and rat poisons)—and rodents that have been killed by these poisons—are highly toxic to dogs and cats. Back to School When kids head back to school, pets are at increased risk of exposure to medications for ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). In dogs and cats, these stimulant medications can cause hyperactivity, restlessness, tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea. As respiratory viruses spread, pets are also at risk of exposure to cold and flu medications, many of which have ingredients that are dangerous for animals. Watch out for lunch boxes; grapes and raisins cause kidney damage in some dogs. Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/white-and-brown-long-coat-small-dog-on-brown-dried-leaves-during-daytime-WakdTA5ZqqU Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Image by Clinton Forry on Flickr, CC BY 2.0 license Photos of rabbits with horn-like growths popped up on the internet last month after people spotted the rabbits in northern Colorado. The growths are caused by infection with a papillomavirus, in the same family as the viruses that cause warts and cervical cancer in humans. The virus infecting these rabbits isn’t contagious to other species and usually causes wild rabbits less trouble than you would think.
Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus, also called Shope papillomavirus (for the person who first described it), is not a new virus. It’s been identified in museum specimens dating from the early 1900s. Infection is most common in cottontails and other wild rabbits in the midwestern United States. We could speculate that the long skin growths inspired the myth of the jackalope, the fabled jackrabbit with deer antlers on its head. In most wild rabbits, the growths are benign and eventually fall off on their own. Unless the growths interfere with eating and drinking, they don’t usually cause a problem. Infection in domestic rabbits is rare but potentially much more serious. In domestic rabbits, the growths are more likely to become malignant cancers than they are in wild rabbits. Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus is spread by flea, tick, and mosquito bites. The skin growths are in areas most often bitten by insects, which is why most are on the face and head. Because domestic rabbits are at risk of cancer, pet rabbits should be kept indoors in areas of the country where the virus is spreading, especially in the summer and fall when insects are most active. Rabbit papillomavirus infects only rabbits. Humans, dogs, cats, and other species are not at risk from this particular rabbit virus. Humans and other species have their own papillomaviruses, all of which are typically species specific (they aren’t contagious to other species). Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name for hundreds of related viruses that cause various kinds of growths in people. Some of these growths, like common skin warts and plantar warts, are benign. Others, like genital, cervical, anal, and oral lesions, can become malignant cancers. HPV infection is a common sexually transmitted disease in humans. Scientists are very interested in finding out why some virus-related growths are benign but others turn into cancer, a process called malignant transformation. One of the best ways to study malignant transformation in humans is to study similar viruses that cause similar cancers in other animals. And it happens that cottontail rabbit papillomavirus was the first papillomavirus identified and the first shown to cause cancer in a mammal. This is why the virus is also named after Richard Shope, the cancer researcher who discovered it. So the next time you see a social media photo of a Frankenstein bunny, just think “Oh look, a valuable animal model of malignant transformation that helps us diagnose, prevent, and treat HPV and cancer in people.” Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wd45/364229280, CC BY 2.0 Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Hair loss caused by demodectic mange in a dog. Public domain image. Mange is skin disease caused by infection with mange mites. These tiny parasites cause skin inflammation, hair loss, and (sometimes) itching. Some types of mange are contagious to people and other animals. Mange is much easier to treat than it once was; some prescription flea, tick, and heartworm products are also effective against mange mites.
Signs Mange looks very similar to skin disease caused by allergies, fleas, bacterial infections, or yeast infections. Animals with mange often have bacterial or yeast skin infections at the same time. The signs of mange depend partly on the type of mange mite involved, but these are the most common:
Diagnosis Mange is diagnosed by using a microscope to look for mites in skin scrapes or other samples. Mange mites can be hard to find, so skin scrapes can have false-negative results. Blood tests for some types of mites are available. Treatment In most cases, mange is treated with prescription flea, tick, and heartworm preventives like moxidectin, selamectin, fluralaner, afoxolaner, and sarolaner. These medications are available as spot-on topical products, chewable tablets, or injections. Because these medications are so effective against mites, they are often begun when mange is suspected but mites aren’t found on skin scrapes. Older treatments include lime sulfur dips and amitraz dips (dogs only). Types of Mange in Dogs Sarcoptic Mange (Canine Scabies) Sarcoptic mange, or scabies, is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. These mites are highly contagious to humans and other animals. Scabies is very itchy. Affected dogs usually also have bacterial and yeast skin infections. If untreated, scabies can cause severe generalized infection. Because scabies is contagious, all dogs in the household need to be treated. Demodectic Mange (Demodicosis) Demodex mites (usually D canis) live in the hair follicles of almost all dogs and usually don’t cause a problem. These mites are transferred from mother dogs to newborn puppies, but they are not contagious to people or other animals. Although D canis mites are benign in most dogs, they can cause 3 types of mange.
Types of Mange in Cats Notoedric Mange (Feline Scabies) Scabies in cats is caused by Notoedres cati. As with scabies in dogs, this type of mange in cats is contagious and intensely itchy. Demodectic Mange Like dogs, cats normally carry Demodex mites without any problem. Two types of Demodex mites cause 2 different forms of demodectic mange in cats.
Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dogmangeeee.jpg Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Connar L’Ecuyer, National Park Service Coyotes live in Charlotte, as you know if you’ve seen one or heard them singing at night. Although coyotes can pose a risk to people and small pets, there are steps you can take to avoid conflict and keep your pets safe.
The tips in this post are from 2 excellent resources that have lots more information about coyotes: the Urban Coyote Research Project (https://urbancoyoteresearch.com/) and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (https://www.ncwildlife.gov/species/coyote). Remove Coyote Food Sources Coyotes that find food where people live are rewarded by coming near people and lose their natural fear of humans. These coyotes can become a danger to people and pets. Coyotes are omnivores: they eat prey animals (mostly rodents but sometimes bigger animals), fruit, and other food items they scavenge.
Keep Pets Secure
Don’t Run From a Coyote If a coyote comes near you, be an intimidating human: make noise, wave your arms, and throw something at it. Don’t run away or crouch down. Leave Coyotes Alone Coyotes that are just doing normal coyote things and avoiding people aren’t a cause for alarm. Don’t approach them or harass them; respect them and don’t create conflict. Coyotes can’t be rehabilitated legally in North Carolina, so if you see one that seems orphaned, sick, or injured, leave it alone. Report Dangerous Coyotes
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/santamonicamtns/35970298854/in/photostream/ |
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The contents of this blog are for information only and should not substitute for advice from a veterinarian who has examined the animal. All blog content is copyrighted by Mallard Creek Animal Hospital and may not be copied, reproduced, transmitted, or distributed without permission.
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