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 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/ 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 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/ Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Ryan Walton on Unsplash Your pet has swallowed an object, something toxic, or medication intended for another animal or a person. Should you try to make your pet vomit? Here are the short answers:
If your pet has been exposed to something that might be dangerous, seek veterinary advice before giving any treatments at home. Call your veterinarian’s office, a local emergency clinic, or an animal poison control hotline:
Animal poison control services have a consultation fee, but calling is usually well worth the cost because their consultants are veterinary professionals with extra training in toxicology and access to specialized information. Cats None of the products that might be used to induce vomiting at home are safe for cats. All of the possible home remedies given by mouth (like hydrogen peroxide) can severely damage a cat’s esophagus and stomach. At the veterinary clinic, we use injectable drugs to induce vomiting in cats. These drugs have some additional effects, like sedation, that need to be monitored and possibly reversed with other medications. Cats don’t always vomit even after receiving these drugs, so they might need other decontamination methods. The veterinary joke (we love cats so we tease them where they can’t hear) is that cats vomit when you don’t want them to but don’t vomit when you do want them to. Still, injectable medications given at a clinic are safe and usually effective for inducing vomiting in cats. Dogs The only vomit inducer that can be given by mouth and is safe for dogs (in some cases, not all) is 3% hydrogen peroxide. It’s sensible to keep a fresh bottle of peroxide on hand if you have a dog. But don’t use it unless a veterinarian tells you to. Making an animal vomit can be dangerous:
Never give a dog salt, syrup of ipecac, oil, or mustard to try to induce vomiting; these are all unsafe for dogs. Don’t try to induce gagging by putting a finger or object down a dog’s throat—it’s not likely to work and would put you at risk of being bitten. To induce vomiting in dogs at the veterinary clinic, we use drugs given by injection or as eye drops. Dogs that receive these drugs need to be monitored and might need other medications to reverse the effects. Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/selective-focus-photography-of-dog-lying-on-ground-uKtvYMGe8ls Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Tracy Anderson on Unsplash A heart murmur is an abnormal whooshing heart sound. A heart murmur isn’t a diagnosis of heart disease; it’s a clinical sign showing that something has made blood flow within the heart turbulent. Some of the things that cause heart murmurs are benign and don’t need treatment. Others are serious conditions that can lead to heart disease and heart failure.
Causes Anything that alters the flow of blood inside the heart can cause a murmur. Leaky heart valves (flaps that control blood flow between heart chambers) and disorders of the heart muscle are the most common causes of murmurs in adult dogs and cats. Examples are mitral valve degeneration, usually in older dogs or inherited in Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats. Anemia—“thin” blood with a low red blood cell count—can also cause a murmur because of the change in blood consistency. Young puppies and kittens sometimes have congenital heart murmurs, which are murmurs present from birth. These murmurs are usually benign and disappear on their own as the animal grows. However, some congenital murmurs are caused by structural defects of the heart or the large blood vessels around the heart, and these defects can have severe consequences if they aren’t (or can’t be) repaired. Signs Heart murmurs are usually heard for the first time during routine wellness examinations in animals with no signs of heart problems. Early diagnosis and treatment improves the prognosis for animals with heart disease, so listening to the heart with a stethoscope is a crucial part of the annual examination. Heart murmurs are graded according to their loudness, ranging from barely audible to so loud they can actually be felt with a hand placed on the rib cage. The loudness of a murmur doesn’t necessarily correspond to the severity of the condition that caused it (serious conditions can cause quiet murmurs). These are some signs of heart disease and heart failure:
Diagnosis The best way to identify the source of a heart murmur is with an echocardiogram, an ultrasound study of the heart. An echocardiogram, usually performed by a veterinary cardiologist, shows the shape of the heart valves, thickness of the heart muscle, blood flow within the heart, and measures of heart function. Chest radiographs (x-ray images) can be used to diagnose heart disease once the disease has progressed to the point of changing the size and shape of the heart chambers. A blood test that can be used to screen for heart disease is the concentration of NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide), a substance released by heart muscle cells in response to excessive stretch and strain. If your pet has a heart murmur, start monitoring the sleeping respiratory rate. An increased sleeping respiratory rate can be a sign of heart disease. Wait until your pet is asleep, count the number of breaths (each rise of the chest) in 15 seconds, and multiply by 4 to calculate the number of breaths per minute. A sleeping rate of more than 35 breaths per minute or a rate that’s increasing over time warrants a visit to your veterinarian. Treatment Treatment depends on the cause of the heart murmur and whether the animal has heart disease. Heart disease is treated with medications and possibly prescription diets. Dogs and cats don’t get coronary artery disease (plaque in the arteries) like humans do, so the treatments and dietary recommendations are not the same for animals as they are for humans with heart disease. All animals with murmurs, whether the cause is serious or thought to be benign, need regular monitoring (sleeping respiratory rate, veterinary examinations, and possibly follow-up echocardiography) so changes in heart function can be identified and treated promptly. Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-brown-and-white-dog-sitting-on-top-of-a-wooden-floor-OktYfwY5ZQI Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Jf Brou on Unsplash Pets that are traveling need to meet regulations set by individual countries and states. Meeting the travel requirements and completing the paperwork takes time—several months in some cases—so start preparing as soon as you know your pet will be traveling.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates animal transport into the United States. The regulations are complex and subject to change, but the APHIS website has lots of information to help pet owners. Always check the APHIS website before you plan your pet’s travel: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel Some veterinary clinics and pet owners use pet travel concierge services to help navigate the rules and work out the time frames for everything that’s needed before international travel. Some countries require specific procedures performed in a specific order during a specific time window before an animal enters the country. Figuring out what needs to be done and when is especially complicated when an animal will be traveling to (or through) more than one country. If your pet will be traveling, the steps you’ll need to take depend on the animal and the travel origin and destination:
This article summarizes the information on the APHIS website as of November 15, 2024. Type of Animal Animal import and export regulations are not the same for pets as for animals in other categories (like livestock and poultry). APHIS defines a pet as a companion animal that is privately owned, not intended for research or resale, and in one of these groups: dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, rodents, hedgehogs/tenrecs, reptiles, amphibians, and some (not all) birds. More information is on this page: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel Travel to Another Country For international travel, pets must meet the requirements of the destination country. Typical requirements include a health certificate, vaccines, parasite treatments, and laboratory tests. The type of animal might also be regulated; for example, the United Kingdom bans certain dog breeds. Airlines and shipping lines might have additional requirements. Dogs that return to the United States after traveling to certain countries must also meet the CDC’s dog import requirements (see this page: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/index.html). APHIS recommends the following steps:
Travel Into the United States Requirements for entry into the United States depend on the type of animal, the country from which the animal is traveling, the federal agencies involved in regulation of that species, and the US state or territory that the animal will be entering. Dogs that are returning to the United States after a trip out of the country must meet all import requirements. APHIS lists import requirements according to type of animal on this page: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import Interstate Travel APHIS doesn’t regulate interstate pet travel, but individual states have their own import requirements. For example, South Carolina requires dogs, cats, and ferrets entering the state to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (valid for 30 days) and proof of a rabies vaccine. North Carolina requires dogs, cats, and ferrets to have a current rabies vaccine but no longer requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Links to each state’s requirements are on this APHIS web page: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/state-to-state Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-white-dog-sitting-on-a-rock-formation-near-a-large-mountain-pond-915UJQaxtrk Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Photo by Gundula Vogel on Pexels Medications used to treat attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are commonly prescribed for humans, so pets are at risk of accidental exposure. Swallowing even a small amount of these medications can cause severe and possibly life-threatening problems for animals. However, most animals recover if they are treated promptly.
If your pet has chewed or swallowed an ADHD medication, contact a veterinary clinic or animal poison control hotline right away:
Types of Medications Most ADHD medications are stimulants that increase levels of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain. These medications typically contain either amphetamines or methylphenidate. Amphetamines and methylphenidate are controlled substances. They are in legal prescription medications used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy and are also in some illegal drugs. These are some brand names of prescription drugs that contain amphetamines or methylphenidate:
Illegal drugs that contain these substances include crystal meth, ecstasy, and methamphetamine. Signs In dogs and cats, amphetamines and methylphenidate cause problems with the nervous system, heart, lungs, and digestive system. These are some of the signs:
Treatment Animals with amphetamine or methylphenidate exposure usually need to be hospitalized at a 24-hour facility. Treatment includes decontamination (removing or inactivating drug that’s still in the stomach, if possible and safe for the animal), medications to treat the neurologic and cardiovascular effects, and supportive care such as intravenous fluid therapy and body temperature regulation. If your pet has swallowed one of these medications, don’t try to induce vomiting at home unless a veterinarian has instructed you to do so. Making a pet vomit is not safe in some situations, depending on the species (don’t give peroxide to a cat!) and the pet’s clinical signs. Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/adorable-yorkshire-terrier-in-autumn-leaves-29056473/ |
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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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