Oral tumors are common in dogs and cats. These growths can occur anywhere in the mouth, including the gums, tongue, inner cheek, roof of the mouth, or back of the throat. In dogs, some oral tumors are benign and others are malignant. In cats, most oral tumors are malignant.
 
Malignant oral tumors are very serious and typically have a poor prognosis. The earlier these tumors are found, the easier they are to treat and the better the outcome. Unfortunately, oral tumors are often advanced by the time they’re detected.
 
Signs
Some oral tumors are in a location that’s easy to see while the animal is awake. Others are only found with a full-mouth examination when the animal is under anesthesia, often during a routine dental procedure.
 
These are some of the signs of oral tumors:

• Lump in the mouth or on the lips
• Bad breath
• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty eating or drinking
• Weight loss
• Bleeding from the gums or other part of the mouth
• Pawing at the mouth
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Swelling or asymmetry of the face
• Tooth loss

 
Benign Tumors (Not Cancer)
Dogs can develop various benign oral tumors. The most common types are acanthomatous ameloblastoma and peripheral odontogenic fibroma. These tumors begin as small pink growths at the gumline next to a tooth. They often enlarge if they’re not removed, and some types invade deeper tissues and destroy the bone around the tooth. Even though these tumors can cause pain and tooth loss, they are considered benign because they don’t spread to other parts of the body.
 
Benign oral tumors are uncommon in cats. A growth in a cat’s mouth is probably malignant.
 
Malignant Tumors (Cancer)
Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is the most common malignant oral tumor in dogs and is rare in cats. These tumors can be either pigmented (black or brown) or nonpigmented (pink). This aggressive cancer grows quickly and spreads to nearby lymph nodes and more distant parts of the body. In most dogs, malignant melanoma has already spread, or metastasized, by the time it’s diagnosed. The prognosis depends on whether the cancer is detected and treated before it has metastasized.
 
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common oral tumor in cats and the second most common malignant oral tumor in dogs. These tumors are most often located on the gums, the underside of the tongue, or the tonsils but can occur anywhere in the mouth. The tumors are usually not detected until they’re too large to be removed surgically. Squamous cell carcinoma destroys the underlying bone and spreads to nearby lymph nodes. Squamous cell carcinoma has a poor prognosis unless it can be completely removed while the tumor is still small, which is not the case for most cats.
 
Fibrosarcoma
Oral fibrosarcoma is more common in dogs than in cats. This type of cancer destroys nearby tissues but is less likely to metastasize. The prognosis depends on how large and destructive the cancer has become by the time it’s found.
 
Others
Many other cancers can affect dogs’ and cats’ mouths. Some examples are osteosarcoma, mast cell tumor, lymphosarcoma, peripheral nerve sheath tumor, and hemangiosarcoma.
 
Diagnosis
Diagnosis requires tumor biopsy with the patient under anesthesia or deep sedation. Imaging (radiography or computed tomography) is needed to see how deeply the tumor has invaded the surrounding tissues; this is the case for both benign and malignant tumors. Basic laboratory workup (bloodwork and possibly urinalysis) is used to assess the patient’s overall health, especially before anesthesia. Patients with malignant tumors might also undergo tumor staging, which can include more extensive bloodwork and imaging of the chest and abdomen.
 
Treatment
The most effective treatment, when possible, is surgical removal of the tumor and a wide margin of surrounding tissue. “Wide margin” often means removing all or part of the jawbone. Radiation therapy is also used for some patients. Chemotherapy isn’t effective for many kinds of malignant oral tumors. Immunotherapy (a melanoma vaccine) is available for dogs with oral melanoma.

Human outbreaks of diarrhea caused by cyclosporiasis have been reported across the United States this summer. Hundreds of cases have been reported in North Carolina. Most of these have been in Wake County, but some have also been reported in Mecklenburg County.
 
Cyclosporiasis is a human disease. This disease doesn’t affect dogs and cats, although similar intestinal infections cause diarrhea and vomiting in animals.
 
No cases of cyclosporiasis in humans have been linked to animal transmission. Still, it’s best to practice good hand hygiene and dispose of animal waste properly; other parasites that are common in animals can infect people.
 
Cause
Cyclosporiasis is caused by infection with Cyclospora cayetanensis, a protozoan parasite. Cyclospora are types of coccidia, so they’re related to the coccidia that infect dogs, cats, and other animals. Coccidia are host specific: each species of coccidia typically infects only one host species. Humans are the host species for C cayetanensis.
 
How Cyclosporiasis Spreads
Cyclosporiasis spreads through contaminated food and water. Cyclospora organisms that are passed in human feces enter the environment, where they develop into a form that can infect other people. The organisms aren’t spread directly from person to person; they need a week or two in the environment to become infectious.
 
The most common sources of infection are fresh vegetables and fruits. We don’t yet know all of the sources of this summer’s outbreaks. Iceberg lettuce from one supplier has been recalled so far.
 
Signs in People

• No signs (some people carry and spread C cayetanensis without getting sick)
• Watery diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Stomach pain
• Bloating and gas
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Fever

 
Treatment and Prevention
Like coccidia infections in animals, cyclosporiasis in people is treated with antibiotics. In some people, the illness improves without treatment.
 
The US Food and Drug Administration recommends these steps:

• Watch for announcements about recalled foods and foods to avoid.
• Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after handling food.
• Rinse fresh produce under running water.
• Peel away and discard outer layers of fruits and vegetables.
• Be aware that prewashed and precut produce might still be contaminated.
• Cook produce that can be cooked to at least 158 °F.
• Clean cutting surfaces, countertops, and utensils with hot soapy water.
• Contact your health care professional if you get sick, especially if you have diarrhea that lasts longer than three days.

 
Precautions With Pets
Seek veterinary care if your pet has diarrhea that lasts longer than a couple of days or if your pet has other signs like vomiting, belly pain, or loss of appetite. Dogs and cats are very unlikely to be infected with C cayetanensis. Pets that eat fresh produce—guinea pigs, other rodents, and reptiles, for example—are also not host species for this parasite and have not been found to be at risk of infection. However, lots of other infections cause diarrhea in animals.
 
Animals have not been shown to transmit cyclosporiasis to people. Cyclospora organisms have been detected in the feces of dogs that swallowed the organisms, but whether these organisms can actually infect people is unclear. Animals carry many other infectious organisms that can make people sick, so use general precautions: wash hands before eating and after handling animals or their feces, pick up your dog’s stool and dispose of it properly, disinfect surfaces in contact with animal feces, and give your pets the parasite prevention products that your veterinarian recommends.
 
For More Information

• Cyclospora (FDA): https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cyclospora
• Cyclosporiasis in North Carolina (NCDHHS): https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2026/07/14/cyclosporiasis-north-carolina-what-it-and-how-stay-safe

 
Image source: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/phil/Details.aspx?pid=7827

New World screwworm causes serious and sometimes fatal disease in animals infested with this parasite. The animals most often affected are livestock (especially cattle), horses, wildlife, and dogs, although all mammals and birds can be infested. The disease is rare in humans.
 
New cases have recently been identified in Texas and New Mexico, decades after the parasite was eradicated from the United States. The overall risk to animals and people in the United States is still very low. No cases have been found on the East Coast as of the date of this post.
 
What Screwworm Is
New World screwworm is not a worm. It is the larvae (maggots) of the fly Cochliomyia hominivorax. The flies lay eggs on an animal, usually in open wounds or around natural body openings. The larvae that hatch from the eggs feed on the animal’s tissue, causing painful and potentially life-threatening wounds.
 
Other kinds of flies also lay eggs that hatch into maggots and feed on animal tissue. The difference between New World screwworm and the others is that New World screwworm feeds on living tissue. Other maggots feed on dead and decomposing tissue, performing nature’s cleanup work.
 
How New World Screwworm Spreads
This is not a contagious disease; an infested animal doesn’t spread the parasite directly to another animal. Animals become infested when C hominivorax flies lay eggs on their body. This parasite does not contaminate the food supply. New World screwworm spreads geographically when the flies migrate or when the eggs or larvae are carried to new areas.
 
New World screwworm flies live in warm, humid regions. These flies were once found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. They were eradicated in these areas by international collaboration to prevent the movement of infested animals and to introduce sterile flies that prevent fly reproduction. The flies still live in some Caribbean islands and parts of South America, and they have been moving northward over the past few years.
 
Signs of Screwworm Infestation

• Maggots or masses of small white eggs in wounds, skin folds, or body openings like nose, ears, genitalia, and navel of newborn animals
• Wounds with a foul odor of decay
• Wounds that become larger or deeper over time
• Signs of pain, such as loss of appetite, loss of energy, or avoiding contact with people or other animals

 
Treatment
New World screwworm is a reportable disease, meaning that veterinarians must report suspected cases so the disease can be tracked. Treatment involves removing all visible eggs and larvae, treating the bacterial infection associated with the wound, and treating the animal’s general illness (which can be serious in animals with severe infestations).
 
For dogs and cats, some prescription antiparasite products are very effective for treating New World screwworm infestation. The US Food and Drug Administration has issued either conditional approval or emergency use authorization for three Credelio products (containing lotilaner) and two Nexgard products (containing afoxolaner) for New World screwworm treatment in dogs and cats. Other products are likely to be effective and might also receive authorization later on.
 
What Pet Owners Should Do

• The risk to pet dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, and other warm-blooded animals is currently very low in North Carolina.
• Be aware of the possible risk, especially if your pets have recently traveled to areas affected by New World screwworm.
• Keep your pets on the parasite prevention product that your veterinarian recommends all year round.
• Check your pets regularly for wounds.
• If you think your pet might have maggots or fly eggs, contact your veterinarian before you try to treat the infestation yourself. If it’s New World screwworm, it must be reported to state and federal agencies.

 
For Updates and More Information

• Nationwide: screwworm.gov (US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)
• North Carolina: https://cvm.ncsu.edu/news/new-world-screwworm-in-the-u-s-what-it-means-for-north-carolina/ (NC State University)

 
Image source: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/screwworm/new-world-screwworm-photo-gallery

Ticks in North Carolina are active all year round, but their activity increases dramatically in the spring and summer. Ticks spread bacteria and viruses (pathogens) that cause serious and sometimes fatal diseases in dogs, cats, and humans.
 
Ticks live mostly in tall grass, woodlands, undergrowth, groundcover plants, and secluded cracks and crevices. Some tick species infest houses.
 
Ticks that are ready for a blood meal move to the tip of a grass blade or other vegetation and wait for a host animal to come along. They climb onto an animal when it brushes past (ticks don’t fly or jump).
 
Ticks attach to an animal by clamping their mouthparts to the skin. Ticks spread pathogens when they take a blood meal. A tick has to be attached for some time before it can spread a pathogen. The amount of time depends on the tick species and the pathogen.
 
North Carolina Ticks
The geographic ranges of some tick species have expanded because of changing environmental conditions and the movement of host species like deer. Different tick species carry different pathogens, so tick-borne diseases that used to be more common in other parts of the country—like Lyme disease—are now common in North Carolina too.
 
Identifying a tick’s species can help narrow down the pathogens the tick might be carrying. These are some of the tick species that live in North Carolina:

• American dog tick
• Asian longhorned tick
• Blacklegged (deer) tick
• Brown dog tick
• Gulf Coast tick
• Lone star tick

 
You don’t need to be able to tell tick species apart. But if you’re interested, here’s the link to NC State’s guide to ticks of North Carolina: https://eit-wagpress-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/media/documents/NC_Tick_Guide_v1.0_April_14_2023.pdf
 
Tick-Borne Diseases of Dogs and Cats
In dogs and cats, many tick-borne infectious diseases cause similar signs: loss of appetite, decreased energy, fever, and sometimes swollen lymph nodes and muscle or joint pain. Signs of illness appear days or weeks after a tick bite. These are some of the tick-associated diseases that affect dogs and cats in North Carolina.
 
Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis
The bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are spread by American dog ticks, blacklegged ticks, brown dog ticks, and lone star ticks. Ticks can transmit Ehrlichia bacteria within 3 to 6 hours after attachment.
 
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Blacklegged ticks transmit Borrelia 24 to 48 hours after taking a blood meal.
 
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Rickettsial Diseases
American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, Gulf Coast ticks, and lone star ticks spread Rickettsia bacteria, which cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other diseases. Transmission is thought to happen 5 to 20 hours after tick attachment.
 
Tick Paralysis
Tick paralysis is caused by a reaction to a neurotoxin produced by American dog ticks, blacklegged ticks, and possibly other tick species. Affected animals have a stumbling gait that progresses to inability to move. Without treatment, this condition can be fatal. It’s treated by removing or killing all ticks on the animal.
 
Prevention
Limiting Exposure
Keep your pets away from tall grass and underbrush. When walking or hiking, keep your dog on a leash and on the path. At home, remove groundcover plants from areas your pets can access and install a border of gravel or mulch between grass and woods. Wild animals are tick carriers, so remove vegetation and food sources that attract deer and other wildlife. Thoroughly check your pets for ticks after they’ve been in a tick area. Look through the entire coat, including inside the ears, between the toes and paw pads, under the front legs (armpits), between the back legs, and under the tail.
 
Tick Preventive Products
Effective tick preventives are available by prescription from your veterinarian and should be used all year round. Prescription products for dogs and cats are safe, but some products are better choices than others for an individual animal, so discuss the options with your veterinarian. Some products are oral (flavored chews) and others are topical (drops placed on the skin).
 
Prescription tick preventives kill ticks soon after they attach, before they’ve had a chance to transmit pathogens. Animals taking these products are protected from many tick-borne diseases but can still carry live unattached ticks in their fur. These unattached ticks can drop off in the house or move to another animal (or you), so check your pets for ticks even if they are taking a prescription product.
 
Repellents
Talk to your veterinarian about safe tick repellents if you are seeing live unattached ticks in your pet’s fur and your pet is already taking a prescription product. Repellents are available without prescription, but some are safer and work better than others. Cats are very sensitive to pyrethrins and can have severe reactions to products labeled for dogs. Read product labels carefully. Never use a product meant to treat clothing or equipment on an animal, and never use a dog product on a cat.
 
Removing Ticks
If a tick is attached to your pet, remove it with tweezers, a tick removal tool, or your fingernails protected by disposable gloves. Grasp the tick’s head at the skin and gently pull it away from the skin until the entire head comes out. Clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
 
Avoid squashing the tick so you’re not exposed to whatever pathogens the tick is carrying. Kill the tick by placing it in a vial of rubbing alcohol or in a ziplock baggie with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Note the date of the tick bite in case your pet shows any signs of illness days or weeks later. If you want to be thorough, label your tick vial or baggie with the date and keep it for several weeks in case the tick is needed for identification and testing later on.
 
Vaccination
A Lyme disease vaccine is available for dogs. This vaccine is considered a lifestyle vaccine, so ask your veterinarian whether your dog should receive it.
 
Sources

• Ticks. Companion Animal Parasite Council. Updated March 30, 2023. Accessed May 25, 2026. https://capcvet.org/guidelines/ticks/
• Bertone MA, Reiskind MH, Crawley SE, Watson DW. Common ticks of North Carolina: an identification guide. North Carolina State University. April 14, 2023. Accessed May 25, 2026. https://eit-wagpress-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/media/documents/NC_Tick_Guide_v1.0_April_14_2023.pdf

 
Image source: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/phil/Details.aspx?pid=7663

Cognitive dysfunction is fairly common in older dogs and cats. Similar to dementia and Alzheimer disease in people, cognitive dysfunction in dogs and cats is an age-related condition that affects the brain. The signs can be mistaken for normal aging changes and can overlap the signs of other common disorders. The earlier cognitive dysfunction is recognized, the earlier treatment can be started.
 
The causes of cognitive dysfunction aren’t fully known. Studies in dogs have shown some of the same neurological features, like β-amyloid accumulation and oxidative damage, that are found in people with Alzheimer disease. The only known (for now) risk factor in dogs and cats is age; animals with a diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction tend to be at least 8 years old. No particular breed or sex is known to have increased risk.
 
Signs
The signs of cognitive dysfunction are mostly behavioral. Over time, the behavior changes can affect the human-animal bond and become debilitating.

• Disorientation
• Anxiety
• Changes in social interactions: avoiding contact or seeking more contact than usual
• Changes in sleep-wake cycles: restlessness at night or sleeping more than usual during the day
• Loss of house training (dogs); urinating or defecating outside the litter box (cats)
• Loss of behavioral training
• Changes in activity level
• Changes in appetite

 
Other Possible Causes of the Signs
Lots of medical conditions that affect older animals cause the same signs as cognitive dysfunction and can also contribute to cognitive decline. Chronic pain from arthritis, dental disease, or other sources is very common in senior dogs and cats. Pain can lead to changes in interaction and activity levels, house soiling (because of mobility problems), and decreased food intake. Loss of vision, loss of hearing, metabolic diseases like kidney disease and thyroid disease, and neurologic diseases like brain tumors can also cause signs similar to those of cognitive dysfunction.
 
Diagnosis
No specific test for cognitive dysfunction is available, so the diagnosis is made by excluding other possible causes of the signs. The pet owner’s description of the behavioral changes is part of the diagnostic process, so behavior questionnaires and cognitive dysfunction rating scales are sometimes used. Many animals with cognitive dysfunction also have at least one of the other medical conditions that cause similar signs, which complicates diagnosis. Tests include thorough physical examination, blood tests, urinalysis, and possibly imaging studies of the chest, abdomen, and head (such as magnetic resonance imaging to look for brain lesions).
 
Treatment
Cognitive dysfunction can’t be cured, but early treatment can ease the symptoms and possibly slow the progression of the disease. Other disorders that contribute to the signs need to be addressed. Special diets and veterinary supplements (for example, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids) help some animals. Environmental enrichment can also improve the signs. Medications depend on the individual animal’s needs; selegiline is labeled for use in dogs (not cats) with cognitive dysfunction. Many animals with cognitive dysfunction also benefit from antianxiety medication.
 
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-small-white-dog-laying-on-top-of-a-couch-KCAlASmEbKY

The yellow pollen coating everything in Charlotte this week tells us that spring has finally arrived. For National Poison Prevention Week (the third week of March each year), here’s a short list of springtime pet hazards you should be aware of.
 
If your pet has been exposed to a possible toxin, contact a veterinary clinic or one of these pet poison resources:

• ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control
• Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661, https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/

 
Plants
Common springtime plants that are dangerous for dogs and cats include lilies, daffodils, tulips, azaleas, and rhododendrons. See the ASPCA Poison Control website for a full list of toxic and nontoxic plants: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
 
Lilies
True lilies are extremely toxic to cats and should never be brought into a home with cats. Easter lilies, daylilies, tiger lilies, Asiatic lilies, Oriental lilies, stargazer lilies, and other plants in the Lilium and Hemerocallis genera cause kidney failure in cats. Ingestion of small amounts of any part of these plants, including pollen or water from the vase, can be fatal to a cat.
 
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) and gloriosa or flame lily (Gloriosa superba) are highly toxic to both dogs and cats. Ingestion of lily of the valley causes heart rhythm abnormalities and possibly seizures, and ingestion of gloriosa lily causes multiple organ failure.
 
Some plants called lilies are much safer for cats and dogs. Calla lilies (Zantedeschia species), peace lilies (Spathiphyllum species), and Peruvian lilies (Alstroemeria species) can cause mouth irritation and stomach upset if ingested, but these plants are not highly toxic.
 
For more information about lilies, see No Lilies for Kitties on the Pet Poison Helpline website: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/veterinarians/free-resources-clinic-clients/no-lilies-for-kitties/
 
Daffodils
Ingestion of daffodils, jonquils, paperwhites, and other plants in the Narcissus genus can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and heart rhythm abnormalities (depending on the amount swallowed) in dogs and cats. The bulb is the most toxic part of these plants.
 
Tulips
Tulip ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and depression in dogs and cats. As with daffodils, the bulb is the most toxic part.
 
Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Azaleas and rhododendrons (Rhododendron species) contain a toxin that affects the function of the muscles, heart, and nerves. Dogs and cats that ingest these plants can develop vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, loss of coordination, and possibly coma and death.
 
Fertilizers
Some fertilizers are dangerous if swallowed. Ingestion of blood meal can cause vomiting, diarrhea, severe pancreatitis, and iron toxicity (if the product is fortified with iron). Bone meal is tasty to dogs but can form a cement-like mass in the stomach that might require surgical removal. Some rose and plant fertilizers contain disulfoton and other organophosphates as pesticides. Organophosphate ingestion can cause seizures, trouble breathing, and death.
 
Spring Cleaning Products
Keep cleaning products, including “natural” products, out of reach of animals. Check product labels for warnings about use around animals, and follow label instructions for storage and use.
 
Undiluted bleach is (unsurprisingly) hazardous to animals; ingestion injures the mouth and esophagus. Very diluted bleach is safe to use as a cleaning solution—though not to be swallowed—if the cleaned object has been rinsed off afterward and the bleach odor has gone away.
 
Vinegar is not safe for animals to swallow but is safe for cleaning as long as the vinegar has been diluted with water and has been rinsed off the cleaned object. Enzyme-based cleaners can cause upset stomach if swallowed. Let objects cleaned with any of these solutions dry before animals have access to them.
 
Sources

• ASPCA Poison Control: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control
• Pet Poison Helpline: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/

 
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/184594136@N08/50970877282/

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:

• Bad breath: this might be the only sign you can detect at home
• Tartar (hard cream-colored or brown buildup on the teeth)
• Red gums
• Excessive drooling
• Loose or missing teeth
• Reluctance to eat or eating more slowly than usual
• Decreased activity level (general sign of pain in animals)

 
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/

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

• Larkin M. Supplements’ toxicity risks not easy to determine as new, reformulated products hit shelves. AVMA. October 8, 2025. Accessed December 9, 2025. https://www.avma.org/news/supplements-toxicity-risks-not-easy-determine-new-reformulated-products-hit-shelves
• Magnuson M. Too much of a good thing: when pet supplements turn toxic. The Conscious Vet. November 7, 2025. Accessed December 9, 2025. https://theconsciousvet.substack.com/p/too-much-of-a-good-thing-when-pet
• Which supplements and vitamins are dangerous for pets? ASPCA. January 15, 2021. Accessed December 9, 2025. https://www.aspca.org/news/which-supplements-and-vitamins-are-dangerous-pets

 
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-and-yellow-medication-tablets-DRchVK5apjw

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:

• In Matthews, a bat tested positive in September; 1 person and a pet were exposed.
• In Charlotte, a bat tested positive in September, and a dog was exposed.
• In Laurens County, South Carolina, 6 people were exposed to rabies from a stray cat in November.
• In 2025, as of November 25 (the date of this post), 9 animals have tested positive in Mecklenburg County, 5 have tested positive in Cabarrus, and 17 have tested positive in Gaston.
• Raccoons are by far the most common rabies carriers in the Carolinas. The other common carrier species are skunks, foxes, bats, and cats.
• Feral cat colonies and unvaccinated stray cats pose a rabies risk to humans. Twenty-two cats have tested positive in North Carolina so far in 2025.
• Any mammal can be infected with rabies. Two cows have tested positive in North Carolina so far this year (they were in Davie and Durham counties).
• Worldwide, rabies kills tens of thousands of people every year. Almost all of these human cases are caused by rabies in dogs. But in the United States, dog rabies is very rare, and so are human deaths. Why? Because starting in the mid-20th century, most dogs in the United States have been vaccinated for rabies.
• Restating for emphasis: Mandatory rabies vaccination for pets is the reason very few people die of rabies in the United States.

 
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:

• Keep your dogs, cats, and ferrets up to date on rabies vaccination. This includes pets that live completely indoors!
• Stay away from wildlife, especially common rabies carrier species: raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats.
• If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the area with soap and water and seek medical care right away. Rabies in humans can be prevented with prompt care.
• If the animal that bit you dies or is killed, don’t destroy or dispose of the body. Call Animal Control for pickup so the animal can be tested for rabies, if appropriate.
• Bat bites are hard to see, so any presence of a bat in the house is considered a possible rabies exposure. If a bat gets into your home (or tent or anywhere people have been sleeping), don’t touch the bat and don’t release it outdoors. Secure the bat in a room and call Animal Control to capture it for testing.
• If your pet is bitten by any animal, seek veterinary care without delay.

 
Sources

• Positive results by county and source. NC Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed November 25, 2025. https://celr.dph.ncdhhs.gov/rabies
• Rabid animals confirmed in multiple counties; six people and eleven pets exposed. News release. SC Department of Public Health. November 21, 2025. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://dph.sc.gov/news/rabid-animals-confirmed-multiple-counties-six-people-and-eleven-pets-exposed
• Rabies. World Health Organization. June 5, 2024. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies
• Rabies notification. News release. Town of Matthews, North Carolina. September 3, 2025. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://www.matthewsnc.gov/newsview.aspx?nid=7113
• Ruder M. 8th positive rabies case confirmed in Mecklenburg County. WCCB Charlotte. September 25, 2025. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/2025/09/25/8th-positive-rabies-case-confirmed-in-mecklenburg-county/

 
Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/raccoon-animal-mammal-nature-fur-3538081/

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