Gingivitis-in-dogs

Gingivitis in dogs

Gingivitis in dogs is an inflammation of the gums, a very common condition, which is one of those modern diseases that we see more and more often in our four-legged friends.

Often correlated with a strong presence of tartar, gingivitis in dogs leads to complications and can even cause the loss of teeth and threaten the health of your dog's system. To take better care of your dog, I suggest you discover today how to prevent gingivitis, how to recognize it, and how to act when your dog seems to suffer from it.

 

What is dog gingivitis?

Gingivitis in dogs is an inflammation of the gums. This condition is classified as a periodontal disease, that is to say, it affects the periodontium, the tissue supporting the teeth. The gum is the oral mucosa that covers the alveolar bone and surrounds the teeth in a watertight manner.

It is the visible part of the periodontium, completely covering the different internal tissues of the periodontal system. When healthy, the gum of a healthy dog is pink, smooth and slightly moist.

It should be noted, however, that the pigmentation of this mucosa can vary depending on the color of the dog's skin. It is not unusual for black dogs to have black gums, or pink with black spots.

A dog's gums, because they are mucous membranes that are easily visible to the naked eye and highly vascularized, are excellent indicators of health.

Dry and sticky, they can indicate dehydration, due to vomiting, diarrhea or metabolic disorders (diabetes, renal failure, etc.), as well as hyperthermia following a fever or heat stroke.

If they are too pale, they point to anemia due to a dietary imbalance, hemorrhage or poisoning. Too dark, especially blue or purplish, they suggest cyanosis, a lack of oxygenation potentially due to respiratory difficulties, which puts your dog's life in immediate danger.

Yellow tinted gums are indicative of liver problems: we talk about jaundice. Finally, red gums are more generally a sign of inflammation and, a fortiori, of gingivitis.

 

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Causes

The causes of gingivitis in dogs are not always clearly identified, although it is generally believed that tartar is the cause of all dental problems in our four-legged friends. It is important to note that gingivitis is not a disease, but an immune defense mechanism, an inflammation that occurs in response to the presence of pathogens.

In most cases, it appears that the pathogens involved are primarily from plaque, a fragile biofilm of bacteria that permanently covers the teeth of dogs. In the absence of an abrasive action, such as gnawing on a bone for dogs or brushing for humans, plaque eventually mineralizes.

As it mineralizes, it becomes solid and forms what is called tartar. Tartar, unlike plaque, is so hard that it is almost impossible to get rid of without professional scaling. Once tartar has set in, it provides a breeding ground for bacteria, which will become abnormally numerous and begin to spread throughout the dog's mouth, infiltrating deep into the various periodontal tissues.

In response to the proliferation of bacteria, the dog's immune system is activated, which results in an influx of blood into the gums. The dog's gums then become inflamed, i.e. red, more or less swollen and painful, and relatively hemorrhagic: this is gingivitis.

It should be noted that some studies tend to show that wild carnivores also have teeth that are frequently affected by tartar, but without the same incidence of periodontal disease observed in domestic dogs. If tartar appears to be a significant factor, it would seem that other elements are involved in the appearance of gingivitis.

Dietary deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, immune deficiencies or dental malocclusions, which can be found, for example, in dogs with prognathism (Bulldog, Pug, etc.), could also be the cause.

Finally, a poor quality diet is also suspected of promoting the abnormal proliferation of oral bacteria, an avenue that has not yet been proven, but is often mentioned to explain the difference between the incidence of periodontal disease in wild and domestic carnivores.

 

Symptoms

In case of gingivitis, the dog's gums are visibly red and inflamed. However, in order to detect it, you must remember to regularly monitor your pet's mouth. It can be more complicated to detect gingivitis in a dog with black gums, but with a little care it is always possible to spot inflammation, even in the absence of redness.

You should look for swelling, increased sensitivity to touch, small local bleeding or simply rely on the presence of excess tartar alone. As previously mentioned, while tartar is not always associated with periodontal disease in wild carnivores, it is almost always the case in domestic carnivores.

Your dog's behavior can also be a red flag, as a dog with gingivitis may have difficulty chewing and, therefore, feeding. If your dog seems to have lost his appetite, takes longer than usual to empty his bowl, does not finish his plate or loses weight, it is urgent to look at the state of his teeth. Hypersalivation is also typical of oral and dental disorders.

Another clue, and not the least, comes from your dog's breath. If the breath is never very fresh, a really smelly breath, a phenomenon called halitosis, is a typical symptom of dental disease. Halitosis is the number one cause of veterinary visits in dogs with periodontal disease.

Finally, although it may seem surprising, respiratory problems, such as coughing or sneezing, can be indicative of periodontal disease. In fact, gingivitis that has developed into a dental abscess can lead to the formation of an oronasal fistula.

In case of a fistula, the dog's oral cavity is then in contact with its nasal cavity, which can irritate the nerve sensors lining its nasal walls and cause a natural defense reflex: sneezing or coughing.

 

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Treatment and prognosis

Traditionally, the treatment of gingivitis in dogs involves scaling as a rule, which can only be performed under general anesthesia by a veterinarian. Usually, the diagnosis of gingivitis is accompanied by a battery of more thorough examinations to assess the condition of the dog's teeth and alveolar bone, which may be severely damaged by bacteria.

Depending on the severity of the lesions, antibiotic treatment may be combined with scaling, as well as anti-inflammatory treatment to relieve the dog's discomfort. Note that an anti-inflammatory treatment alone would be devastating, as it would destroy the dog's immune system, while letting the bacteria proliferate at will: to avoid making dramatic mistakes, absolutely prohibit any self-medication.

Sometimes the treatment of gingivitis involves the extraction of some of the dog's teeth, when the alveolar bone is too damaged to continue supporting them properly. This type of complication frequently occurs when gingivitis develops into a dental abscess.

Finally, when a dog cannot undergo scaling, especially when it has co-morbidities that make general anesthesia too risky, medical treatment alone may be considered. The prognosis of a dog with gingivitis is not always as good as one would hope. Tooth extractions are relatively common because, without prompt care, bacteria can easily burrow deep into the periodontal tissue and destroy the alveolar bone.

In the most severe cases, when the infection is not treated in time, the bacteria can enter the animal's bloodstream and spread throughout the body, resulting in sepsis and death.

 

Preventing gingivitis in dogs

The risk of gingivitis can be reduced by properly maintaining your pet's teeth and limiting exposure to known risk factors. It all starts with a healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet. Although not yet scientifically proven, the raw meat BARF diet has been shown to reduce tartar build-up and preserve a dog's teeth - but it also has its drawbacks.

Daily exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight are also essential for a dog's good health, which translates into a healthy metabolism and an efficient endocrine system. It is also important to allow the dog to brush his own teeth, which he is quite capable of doing naturally by gnawing on a bone or a suitable toy.

To do this, it is essential to choose a safe accessory designed specifically for this purpose. Too hard, a bone could break your dog's teeth. Too crumbly, it could end up being crushed and swallowed, causing serious internal damage (perforation or intestinal obstruction). Finally, you can also decide to brush your dog's teeth yourself, using a dog-friendly toothbrush.

This is a very effective maneuver that takes time and practice, but the results are well worth it. A toothpaste specially designed for dogs (human toothpastes are toxic to animals) will not improve brushing performance, but it may make it more appealing if it tastes good to your dog.

The effectiveness of various mouthwashes, powders and other products that are poured into the pet's water bowl has never been proven.

 

FAQ

How do I know if my dog has gingivitis?
Gingivitis in dogs is an inflammation of the gums that is usually visible to the naked eye. The animal's gums are red, sometimes swollen, sensitive and bleeding. A change in your dog's behavior can also alert you: he may have difficulty eating, lose weight or drool more than usual.

Can gingivitis in dogs be treated?
Yes, dog gingivitis can be cured, but veterinary treatment is absolutely essential to get rid of it. In fact, professional scaling is necessary to eliminate the tartar that harbors the bacteria responsible for your dog's gum inflammation. In addition, it is essential to proceed with medical examinations to check the state of the various periodontal tissues of the dog, because a gingivitis can hide deep infections, likely to degenerate.

How to prevent gingivitis in dogs?
The prevention of gingivitis in dogs involves lifestyle measures designed to eliminate the factors that contribute to the disease, both from a local and systemic point of view. Locally, we will take care to help the animal to eliminate its dental plaque to avoid the formation of tartar by providing it with safe accessories to chew or by brushing its teeth. From a systemic point of view, it is important to provide your dog with a healthy lifestyle so that his hormonal, immune and metabolic systems remain healthy and resistant to bacteria.

My dog has gingivitis, what should I do?
If your dog seems to be suffering from gingivitis, don't wait before taking him to a veterinarian. This periodontal disease can only be treated by a professional and, if left untreated, can degenerate dramatically. Gingivitis in dogs is a widespread disorder, but it is still not well known by owners. In fact, there are countless dogs that are completely toothless and have had to have teeth extracted because the disease has damaged their periodontal system.

Although it is not possible to completely avoid the risk of your dog suffering from gingivitis, it is still important to give your dog the best chance of a healthy lifestyle.

A quality diet and a high-performance chewing aid will not only keep dogs happy, but will also help them keep their teeth healthy throughout their lives.

 

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