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Original poster

My dog stinks!

15 replies

kid · 22/02/2008 00:58

His breath is rotten. I am sure its not normal for a dogs breath to stink as much as his does!
He is 14 years old and eats tinned dog meat. I have tried those dental chews for dogs but tbh I think its too bad for them to do any good.

Do you think its worth taking him to the vets? He is still eating anything and everything so isn't ill in any way.

He did have some work done on his teeth several years ago while he was under GA for an operation on his ear.

I would love him not to stink so much!

OP posts:
Original poster
kid · 22/02/2008 15:11

No one else has a smelly breath dog then?! He is munching away on a carrot at the moment so his teeth and gums are definitely not sore.

OP posts:
Ellbell · 22/02/2008 15:16

I think bad breath in older dogs is just the default position. My beloved (now late & lamented) ddog was foul towards the end of his life (he lived to be about 16). I did ask the vet about it, but it was beyond repair. Apparently you should get them used to having their teeth cleaned when they are puppies and then do them regularly. But unless your dog is very placid indeed he's unlikely to take kindly to you trying to clean his teeth now (and anyway I doubt you'd do much good). Dry food might be slightly better than tinned food (just on the basis that it's less gross to start with, and also that the action of chewing on the biscuity stuff might clean the teeth a bit). Sorry not to have an easy answer.

Original poster
kid · 22/02/2008 15:44

He is very docile and it would be easy to clean his teeth, providing I am wearing a gas mask or something to make sure I can still breathe!
Is it safe to use normal toothpaste, or kids toothpaste or do I have to buy something specific for dogs.

I think I will have to try cleaning his teeth, the smell makes you feel sick. If we come back home and he has been licking himself, you can smell the stale breath. Its a 2 storey house too so its not a small space!

Will leave him for today but start tomorrow when I have had the chance to get a toothbrush, he isn't using mine

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Ellbell · 22/02/2008 15:50

You should be able to get 'dog toothpaste' and a special doggy toothbrush from the vet. Might be worth getting the vet to have a look. If it's just one or two disgustingly rotten teeth it might be worth having them taken out. (But it might be too generalised for that, especially given his age.)

Good luck. My old boy's response to anything untoward involved him saying GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR very very loudly! (He was the most placid dog imaginable, but he didn't like being messed with. He bit the vet once and had to be muzzled after that even for just an examination... not a chance of brushing his teeth.)

TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 22/02/2008 15:59

Dog toothbrushes & paste also available from pet shops. Are his teeth very yellow? I'd probably get the vet to check for serious decay which will cause eating & behavioural problems in addition to the smell if left to get worse.

And I've been told that fresh chopped parsley in the food can help but haven't tried it.

Our dog has a dental chew every day and it is helping to keep them clean.

Original poster
kid · 22/02/2008 16:06

I have some fresh parsley, he will have to share it with the guiena pigs though!
I will add some to his dinner today, just hope it doesn't upset his tummy YUK

I take him to the PDSA, will be a problem getting an appt but if they can help, it would be worth it.

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CountryGirl2007 · 22/02/2008 22:20

What brand of food do you give him?
tinned dog food isn't very good for dog's anyway, would you consider switching to a good brand of kibble or a natural diet? If he already like's eating veg that'd be easy!

I give my small dog dentastix to help keep her teeth clean, she's actually a bit addicted to them!

BroccoliSpears · 22/02/2008 22:24

Sure it's just his breath?

My (sadly deceased) stinky old mutt used to stink from inside her ears. Revolting it was. And she would be so hurt that I didn't want to snuggle up with her. Drops helped a bit.

Wisteria · 22/02/2008 22:29

At 14 it's par for the course and brushing now won't really help to be honest (if he'd even let you) - you can get chews that are supposed to help but the best idea is just to hold your breath!

Tinned dog meat is rank - dry food far better but again, bit cruel to change now - after all he's technically 98 years old and my gran certainly wouldn't change her eating habits....

SlartyBartFast · 22/02/2008 22:41

mine smells from both ends!

14 year old

vet did say clean her teeth as well.

and givehim the food he actually likes, at his age he needs cossetting.

winniethewino · 22/02/2008 22:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tearinghairout · 22/02/2008 23:04

Just want to add that according to something I read it can be dangerous to use ordinary toothpaste on dogs - get special doggy stuff.

As for smelly dogs in general, try Forthglade or Naturediet. They are packs of cooked meat, with rice & veg added but no rubbish, colours, e-numbers etc. We were recommended to change our dog's diet when she was ill, went onto the natural stuff & she got much better. Now with our new dog she's had Forthglade from the start & never pongs. Most dogs seem to smell, and now I'm convinced that the diet is a lot to do with it... I bet if we all ate a rubbish diet we'd pong too!

Original poster
kid · 23/02/2008 13:45

I went to a petshop this morning. The only thing they could offer for his teeth were calcium tablets!

I was brave and had a look in his mouth 9(while holding my breath!) His canine teeth are literally green, really, really nasty! Looks like layers of plaque all over them.

I really doubt there is anything we can do for them now, but I guess while he is still eating, he is ok.

I am going to get some dry food which I will mix with his meat. Hopefully the biscuits will rub some plaque off. I'll also get some dentastix too as I know he eats them.

I was considering using the kids toothpaste to try and freshen it up a little bit. Surely a small amount wouldn't be so bad?

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RedJools · 23/02/2008 13:57

Sorry to butt in, but I am a vet, on maternity leave atm, and obviously missing my work! What breed is he? Only ask cos sometimes if the teeth are bad they can get infected smelly lip folds as well, which you can bathe with saline to improve. If he is otherwise well, he could still have a light GA to clean the teeth up. Its worth taking him to your vet anyway, cos some of these guys improve with antibiotics, as a lot of the smell can be from infection (but unfortunately the smell will come back unless the teeth get done- does help for a while though) Wouldn't bother with kids toothpaste- it probably won't do a lot, and isn't good for them. hth Jx

Original poster
kid · 23/02/2008 14:41

thanks redjools, feel free to butt in!
He is a Yorkie.

I will see if I can get an appt for him at the vets.

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