10.81%% survey participants checked bad breath as being an emergency.
When I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, at the end of each chapter I included a little call-out when each of them might be an emergency. Well, I meant to. There were some chapters where I skipped it because while some of the symptoms might almost never be an emergency, under certain conditions, they could be. When I had hubby go over it, though, he pointed out that as a reader he'd want it included with every chapter.
While that was challenging, with additional though I did manage to add that section to every chapter.
I managed to include that section to the chapter on bad odor too.
Let's start with the potential reasons behind bad breath.
The number one reason, as you'd suspect, is dental disease. Bad teeth or diseased mouth do require veterinary attention, but it's not an emergency unless it involves an extreme amount of pain. Though don't forget it always involves pain.
Other reasons that can cause bad breath in your dog include:
- kidney disease/kidney failure
- liver disease or other issues within the gastrointestinal tract
- poisoning
- diabetes/diabetic ketoacidosis
- foreign bodies
- oral tumors
Of course, when your dog's breath stinks after they sampled something foul such as their own or other animal's feces, it might get you running, but you don't need to be running to a vet.
The lack of presence of other symptoms also presents a consideration in determining how soon you should see a vet. These can include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, jaundice ...
If your dog's breath smells of ammonia or it has a strong sweet, fruity odor, treat it as an emergency.
Breath smelling of ammonia (urine) is a warning sign of kidney disease/failure.
Breath that smells like acetone/sweet, fruity smell is a warning sign of diabetic ketoacidosis.
So while generally, bad breath is not an emergency, under the right circumstances it can be a sign of one.
Related articles:
Dog Medical Emergencies Survey
Dog Medical Emergencies Survey Results
Is Unproductive Retching an Emergency?
Is Difficulty Breathing an Emergency?
Is Panting an Emergency?
Is Severe Pain an Emergency?
Is Limping an Emergency?
Is Vomiting Bile in the Morning an Emergency?
Is Profuse Vomiting an Emergency?
Are Convulsions or Seizures an Emergency?
Is Loss of Appetite an Emergency?
Is Reduced Activity an Emergency?
Is Severe Lethargy an Emergency?
Is Inability to Stand an Emergency?
Is Inability to Urinate an Emergency?
Are Cuts and Abrasions an Emergency?
Is Bleeding an Emergency?
Is Blood in Vomit an Emergency?
Is Fresh Blood in Stool an Emergency?
Is Black, Tarry Stool an Emergency?
Are Pale Gums an Emergency?
Is an Unresponsive Dog an Emergency?
Is Coughing an Emergency?
Is Choking an Emergency?
Is Head Pressing and Emergency?
Are Bug Stings an Emergency?
Are Spider or Snake Bites an Emergency?
Are Animal Bites an Emergency?
Is Ingestion of Poison an Emergency?
Is Xylitol Ingestion an Emergency?
Is Ingestion of Grapes an Emergency?
Is Ingestion of Candy an Emergency?
