Many dogs have bad dog breath. People try to do many different things to improve on the sour smell that most dogs emit as they pant happily in your face, however, masking the smell may mask any number of canine disease. There are several canine diseases that are indicated by bad dog breath. Here are the primary diseases that have bad dog breath as a symptom.
Periodontal Disease
It is not uncommon for dogs to develop periodontal disease overtime. The build up of plaque on the teeth of dogs can lead to mild periodontal disease in dogs as young as two or three. Dogs who eat soft food are also more prone to develop periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can be prevented with proper care of your dog's mouth, threw brushing, teeth cleaning and encouraging your dog to chew on raw hides and safe bones.
Gastrointestinal Disease
Dogs who have developed some form of gastrointestinal diseases may have very bad breath. The problem could be a blockage of the gastrointestinal system, or cancer. It is important to try to identify if there is a blockage as quickly as possible to avoid further injury or other side effects of an intestinal blockage. Only a veterinarian would be able to rule out cancer as a possible cause of the bad breath.
Sinus Infection
Some dogs with severe sinus infections will have bad breath. Pay attention to any other symptoms your dog may display to see if it appears that your dog has a sinus infection. Things to look for are congestion and a dry nose. A sinus infection will most likely require antibiotics, but with resolution of the sinus infection you will most likely notice improved breath in your dog.
Kidney Disease
Dogs suffering from kidney disease may also have very bad smelling breath. It is important not to immediately assume the worst, but observe your dog to determine if there are other symptoms that can help you rule kidney disease. Increased urination or thirst can be signs of kidney disease.
Mouth Tumors
Dogs that have a developed a mouth tumor may also have breath that smells particularly bad. You should be able to notice a tumor in your dog's mouth by carefully examining your dog's mouth and linking for any abnormal growths.
Foreign Body Stuck in the Teeth
It can happen that a dog will end up getting something stuck in his teeth. If something is stuck in a dog's teeth it can begin to smell very bad the longer it stays in between the teeth. Again carefully examining your dog's mouth can help you determine if there is something stuck in your dog's teeth that you might be able to remove.
Overall, if you notice that your dog has very bad breath it is most likely that your dog just needs to have a good teeth cleaning, but if you begin to notice other symptoms that seem concerning along with the bad breath it is likely time to look at other possible causes of the bad breath that may be more serious.