bad breath/gingivitis in dog

[JaxTellersOldLady]

So we took our 14 month GSD to the Vet this morning for his boosters, mentioned that I wasnt happy with his mouth. It is very red around the gums and his breath is disgusting. He is fed a dry food and is a happy, healthy dog. He has also lost 2KG since February which in all honesty he cant afford to lose. He is a tall, leggy Shepherd with not an ounce of fat on him. He is all muscle and I can see his ribs when he is upright - not good.

Vet gave him his booster and prescribed hexavine for his mouth, which i have just rubbed on his gums and around his teeth. He isnt too happy about it, but lets me do it.

Vet also mentioned something that can go in the water to help with the bad breath. Anyone know what it is called? I cant remember as I had the pupstar, DD and DS with me!

Anything else I can do for him? Cant brush his teeth at the moment as his gums are too inflamed and dont want to damage/hurt him.

sorry this is so long, but any help appreciated.

anyone? please?

I'd be interested to know as well, hope someone answers soon!

well the vet said the best course of action is to clean his teeth - but not while he has poorly gums. He is used to the command 'teeth' so isnt bothered about me prodding around his mouth.

Got to say he is feeling very sorry for himself this afternoon and hasnt been up on the sofa over for a cuddle. He has taken himself off to his crate (which is always open) and curled up in a ball.

ok, took my GSD back today to the Vets, saw my fave Vet (Lisa) who sadly had to put my old boy to sleep last year, anyway, she is not happy at all with his mouth. Took his temp which was normal, prescribed antibiotics to see if that will help... Back first thing tomorrow morning with a fresh wee sample and to get some bloods taken; to rule out liver/kidney problems and to check for diabetes.

Next step after that is to wait for test results and either treat the problem if found or take a biopsy of the mouth. I am so so worried about him. Yes, he is fine in himself and eating but he is a shepherd and they are such stoic dogs.

Fingers crossed for my Loofa - he is only 14 months old.

Hi JaxTeller. Our Border Collie has really grim halitosis. We put "Simple Solution's Pet Sweet Breath Freshener" in his bowl.

We got him when he was 17months and he has always had a lot of tartar on his teeth despite only been fed on dried dog food and given lots of chewie things. He had his teeth cleaned by the vet a couple of years ago, but the tartar returned and it didn't really help with the bad breath! About 6 months ago, the vet advised that we switch his diet to Hill's Prescription Diet T/D dog food. I must admit I was highly sceptical, but it has really helped with both his tartar and smelly breath!

I have my fingers crossed for you and Loofa.

thanks woodrose, he is on Hills prescription (oral care, I think)and before that was on ARden Grange large breed. His name is Louis, but his nn is loofa amongst other things.

his teeth were fine until recently, no idea why this has happened. He screamed like I have never heard him do before when she took his temperature, so unlike him. He usually just lets her, but today he must have been feeling overly sensitive.

Poor boy, hope you get to the bottom of it. Usually with bad breat and sore gums he either needs a dental descale and/or a change of diet but that doesn't seem to be an issue here. As for his weight, it is better to be a little underweight than overweight so don't worry too much about that and GSD's are notoriously difficult to get weight on if they lose it and they can also have very sensitive stomachs. Best wishes, hopefully there is nothing serious wrong with him.

thanks countrygirl, his bloods and urine came back normal, which is good as his liver and kidneys are functioning as they should. If the antibiotics dont help next step is sedation and biopsy of his sores. We are very lucky that our Vet is fantastic, knows him well and she did the tests herself and called me this afternoon. IF only us humans got such good care! Even with private health care.

his teeth arent the problem, it is his gums.

He has aquadent in his water so will know by Friday if it looks significantly better.

new update on the poor pup, he started barfing up on Friday, so we stopped the antibiotics on Saturday morning, still being sick. CAlled the vet this morning, she is going to see him today, change antibiotics, give him something for his tummy and have another look in his mouth, get him booked in for further investigation, biopsy, x rays etc.

May have to sell a kidney or an arm, yes we do have insurance. I am so worried about him, he is tiring easily on his runs and is quite sleepy.

no improvement in his mouth, think it might have gone into his osophagus (sp) and maybe further. Just wish I knew what it was and how to treat him.

If it is the worst (C word) then we will be absolutely devastated and lord knows how my children will react this time.

Oh Jax, a fellow Shep owner and worshipper here, I really feel for you. Poor little boy, Sheps are indeed such stoics too. As you were describing your Loofa I was envisaging him as my boy's little brother, my 3 yo being a tall, long legged one who is a bugger to get weight on to.

Aside from thinking that being sick on ABs isn't wildly peculiar for a Shep in particular as they do tend to have such sensitive stomachs, I'll leave all medical comment to the experts cos I'm not one. All I can say is surely you would be VERY unlucky indeed if it was as serious as you are fearing, as he's such a young boy.

Hoping against hope that the answer to Loofa's problems are easily found and still more easily and successfully treated.

Give him a hug from me too please.

Val x

thanks Val, we are just back from the Vets, he has a temperature, had an injection to calm his dodgy tum and he is in first thing in the morning for xrays, biopsy and a scope down his throat.

I know that he is in good hands, but I do fear the worst. The ulcers are bad, not clearing up and they will probably penicillin him up tomorrow while he is sedated. They will also get to have a good prod around.

He was a very very good boy at the vets, let the vet hold his mouth closed to listen to his heart properly, checked his feet and everything, didnt cry like a baby when he got his temperature taken, which is the norm when he is feeling icky.

Have just told the children that he is having more tests and we will know properly in a few days. The good thing is they are very quick - I will have the scope and xray results tomorrow, but have to wait for the biopsy. Will be the longest week of my life!

The Vet has just phoned me, he is in a terrible state. His mouth, oesophagus and tummy are all ulcerated and his throat looks especially bad.

He was xrayed too, had some gas in his tummy, but it looked ok, his hips... not sure, will see properly when I collect him later. the biopsies and swabs have been sent off, hoping they come back before the weekend.

In the meantime he is to be kept quiet, not excersised and have some easy digest food. He also has new antibiotics to try to help, and some meds for his tummy.

FUCK! the poor, poor thing. She asked if there is any possibility that he has drank/eaten anything hazardous, bleach etc. I said there is always a chance, but I dont keep anything like that around just incase. Nothing in buckets or anything - I am very careful. She (Vet) said that if it had been that then it should have been on the mend by now, and it isnt.

Children are very worried, husband and I are very worried. Vet is going to call me on Friday (if she doesnt see him before) to see how he is.

oh god, what if it is the horrid C word again? Surely we couldnt be THAT unlucky twice?

I hope to god not Jax.

Any chance that a neighbour might have left something hazardous out within Loofa's reach? Or, I hate to say it, do you have any neighbours either side who you've fallen out with or who are anti-dog?

Poor little boy. Chin up though Jax, the chances of it being the C word really are very small in such a young dog. It's more likely to be something he's eaten or a condition such as mega eosophagus, which can be sorted. You've clearly got a vet who is competent and sensible and who is taking every possible test, considering every option. I know it's hard, but place your faith in the vet and try not to worry.

Val x

thanks Val, my neighbours on both sides love the loofa, one side has dogs and the other are older couple who chat to him (and the cat). I have a secure garden, nothing in it to harm him.
Got him back home now, which is nice, sparko on his rug, no doubt he will be on the sofa later for a snuggle.

He has various meds for his tum, antibiotics and easy digest food.

My pocket is a lot lighter now, thank god I will get most back on insurance. I have to say my Vets are fantastic, always have been, they were saying how well trained (for a 14 month old) he is, how he got his X Rays done without sedation, he lay still with the "wait" command and let them do it. Made me so proud!

DH called the breeder when we got home, she was very upset and is popping round tomorrow to see him. She was originally going to keep Lou for herself (& named him, hence Louis) sorry, rambling on.

Had a little cry earlier, just because it is only a year since we lost our old boy and this has brought back memories. Such a soppy sap that I am.

PS - what happens for those who cant pay the £600, (running total for this month) vets fees? It suddenly occurred to me that most people dont have that spare cash, and although we have insurance and they can pay upfront, we chose to pay first and get reimbursed.

Just a thought.