rascalsmom Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 Phoebe is six years old. Aside from when she was first off the track, she's not had a dental. In fact, the past two years the vet has said that she doesn't need one yet. A welcome surprise after four greyhounds with pretty much annual dentals! However, her breath is horrendous. Think "road kill" horrendous. The vet has offered to do a dental, but I can't see putting her under anesthesia unless she *needs* a dental, solely for the sake of fresher breath. The only thing she actually chews is her large milkbones (usually one a day, maybe two); she never chews her kibble, just gulps it down. We rarely give her anything else. Sometimes bites of an apple or banana, but no people junk food. No, I do not brush her teeth, though I know I should. I used some oral gel for awhile, but it didn't make a huge difference. We don't do a water additive either, and she actually doesn't drink much water in general (I add water to her kibble). She doesn't really graze for rabbit poop, she doesn't partake of her own leavings....the cat box is off limits and strictly monitored when Phoebe is in the room....but still, the breath could peel wallpaper. My question is this: Would probiotics help her breath? Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 Has she been checked for worms / parasites? They will cause horrendous breath and should be checked if the cause doesn't appear to be related to dental reasons. Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 Has she been checked for worms / parasites? They will cause horrendous breath and should be checked if the cause doesn't appear to be related to dental reasons. Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted July 17, 2017 Author Share Posted July 17, 2017 She had a fecal done at her most recent vet visit, as she does every year. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 I would probably get the dental done, as she could have some things going on that aren't visible on a basic oral exam. And/or, try feeding her something *totally* different (beef and rice?) for 5-6 days and see if that makes any difference. ETA: If the bad breath is ammonia-ish, get her back to the vet for bloodwork (kidney values). Hope all is well tho. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 Have your vet really evaluate her mouth and throat for sores, bad teeth, abcesses, blocked salivary glands. He may need to very lightly sedate her if she's not overly cooperative (or a dose of anti anxiety medication can be used as well). If all that's good, you start thinking about the rest of her digestive system. I never knew that about worms (above), but it makes sense. Kidney issues and stomach ulcers can cause horrible breath. I have also come across it in dogs who are fed too high a protein content in their daily food. A probiotic *may* help, though I would talk with your vet to rule out any other medical issues, too. Our vet can do a quick ultrasound in-office with no sedation (for my dogs who just lay there getting pets!) and that has been very informative in several cases ruling issues in or out. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walliered Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 On another post I said I give my two Galgos OraVet chews. It has completely stopped the bad breath and leaves their teeth tarter free. Mine eat the ones made for over 50 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Kidney disease will result in an ammonia smell to the breath - you might want to get a urinalysis (first morning catch) and some bloodwork to rule that out. An infection could also cause a foul smell to the breath - the vet may need to examine each and every tooth to see if there is a possibility of an infection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Have the dental prophy done --an oral exam can not determine true dental disease. Most disease is under the gumline. Really surprised your vet hasn't already had your dog scheduled. I will say to make sure your vet is equipped to perform oral radiographs-not all clinics are equipped-should be but.....I would ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted July 18, 2017 Author Share Posted July 18, 2017 This may or may not have anything to do with it: recently my daughter had little white bumps on her tonsils--they were bothering her and then she happened to cough one up. The smell was atrocious! We googled it, and they were tonsil stones! Anyway, she mentioned that Phoebe's breath reminded her of the smell of those tonsil stones, and once again google confirmed that dogs do indeed have tonsils! So now I wonder if her breath could be related to her tonsils.....? Maybe I just need to get her scheduled for the dental; the vet said "probably next year" she'd need one anyway, and also ask him to throughly examine everything including her tonsils.... Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 I'd find a new vet if my vet brushed off foul breath as a non-issue. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTRAWLD Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 I swear by giving colloidal silver orally. When Ry's breath gets a little out of control, I give him a shot glass full with dinner for a couple days and it's gone. Quote Proudly owned by:10 year old "Ryder" CR Redman Gotcha May 201012.5 year old Angel "Kasey" Goodbye Kasey Gotcha July 2005-Aug 1, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Have the dental prophy done --an oral exam can not determine true dental disease. Most disease is under the gumline. Really surprised your vet hasn't already had your dog scheduled. I will say to make sure your vet is equipped to perform oral radiographs-not all clinics are equipped-should be but.....I would ask.Agree with this. There is some reason for her bad breath, she shouldn't have it otherwise and there can be issues that are only revealed with dental x-rays. You could check urine and blood work first, you'll need to make sure values are okay before sedation anyway and you could always come up with a plan where they her the x-rays under light sedation and if everything looks great and she truly doesnt need the dental they don't proceed. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roo Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 This may or may not have anything to do with it: recently my daughter had little white bumps on her tonsils--they were bothering her and then she happened to cough one up. The smell was atrocious! We googled it, and they were tonsil stones! Anyway, she mentioned that Phoebe's breath reminded her of the smell of those tonsil stones, and once again google confirmed that dogs do indeed have tonsils! So now I wonder if her breath could be related to her tonsils.....? Maybe I just need to get her scheduled for the dental; the vet said "probably next year" she'd need one anyway, and also ask him to throughly examine everything including her tonsils.... Tonsil stones are so irritating! I get them (seems to depend on my diet, though I haven't quite pinpointed exactly what causes it). Never knew dogs have tonsils... Interesting! Quote Mom of bridge babies Regis and Dusty. Wrote a book about shelter dogs! I sell things on Etsy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTRAWLD Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 How interesting! I happened to look up tonsil stones and colloidal silver and came up with an interesting human article..... http://blog.colloidsforlife.com/prevention/bad-breath-it-may-be-tonsil-stones/ http://ezinearticles.com/?Tonsil-Stones-Treatment-With-Colloidal-Silver&id=4540606 For what it's worth, I gargle with it when I have a sore throat and it's rather effective..... Quote Proudly owned by:10 year old "Ryder" CR Redman Gotcha May 201012.5 year old Angel "Kasey" Goodbye Kasey Gotcha July 2005-Aug 1, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted July 18, 2017 Author Share Posted July 18, 2017 Yep, those look like the tonsil stones DD had. They are putrid! I stopped to get cat food today, at the small holistic shop where I buy it. I asked the girl if she had any recommendations for Phoebe's bad breath. She suggested raw bison bones, which I'm not sure about. Phoebe is an aggressive chewer and I fear her biting off big hunks....she also suggested coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar (with the mother). Since I had some coconut oil, I put about a teaspoon on her dinner. We'll see. Can't hurt her anyway, and maybe it'll help. I may add a splash of ACV to her food, too, but don't want to use everything at once so I know what might work. We need to get caught up on some bills before undertaking a dog dental anyway. And when we do get the dental, I'll be asking the vet to examine her tonsils, too! Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 I've intubated gads of dogs-while I have seen inflamed tonsils I have never seen a tonsil "stone". Save your money-don't buy all of those products-do the dental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greytjoys Posted July 19, 2017 Share Posted July 19, 2017 Dental X-rays are worth their weight in GOLD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted July 27, 2017 Author Share Posted July 27, 2017 Well, I have been giving Phoebe coconut oil on her food twice a day. Maybe about 1-1.5 teaspoons per meal, her breath is noticeably better! No more road kill smell.... For those of you who were concerned, I do plan on getting her a dental, like I said....the vet said she will likely need one early next year....and I did not 'waste my money' on this as I had it in my kitchen anyway. It seems to be helping, she actually likes it, and it can't do her any harm.....so it's a "win" for me! Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket57 Posted July 27, 2017 Share Posted July 27, 2017 Coconut oil does all sorts of wonderful things, both for dogs and humans. Our girls get a tablespoon in their food every morning. Glad it's helping with Phoebe's breath! Cricket Quote Cricket, mom to Mulligan (Kycera) and Xena (Kebo Tina Turner ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobesmom Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 Bad tooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 Well, I have been giving Phoebe coconut oil on her food twice a day. Maybe about 1-1.5 teaspoons per meal, her breath is noticeably better! No more road kill smell.... For those of you who were concerned, I do plan on getting her a dental, like I said....the vet said she will likely need one early next year....and I did not 'waste my money' on this as I had it in my kitchen anyway. It seems to be helping, she actually likes it, and it can't do her any harm.....so it's a "win" for me! All you are doing is reducing surface bacteria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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