Choosing Better Veterinary Care

Unfortunately, dogs sometimes suffer from dental pain. If you suspect that this is the case then you may be wondering if you are correct. Since your dog can't communicate with you by speaking, you will need to look at the symptoms to decide whether or not they are experiencing dental pain. Here's a look at some of the main ways you can know if your dog is suffering from dental pain.

 Bad Breath

A sure sign that your dog is suffering from dental pain is when they have bad breath. When dogs get bad breath it is hard to miss. If you hug your pet or they try to lick your face, you will become aware of the odor coming from their mouth. Bad breath is usually a sign that your pet has a gum infection or decaying teeth.

Refusing to Eat

When your dog starts shunning food, this is another sign that he or she may be experiencing tooth pain. Just like humans, it can be difficult for a dog to eat when they have a toothache. Chewing will become extremely painful and they will avoid eating in order to prevent the pain. 

Even if your dog does eat, they may start whimpering and wincing in pain when they begin chewing. Once you notice this, take a look inside their mouth to see if you notice any swelling or redness. If you do, take them to the vet immediately before things get worse.

Swollen Mouth

Sometimes your dog may have a swollen mouth if they have pain in their teeth. This is easy to spot and their mouth may be swollen all over or just on one side. You may even see their gums bleeding. Open your dog's mouth to see if there are any fractured teeth. Check to see if there are any sores on their gums as well.

Drooling

Your dog may start to drool when they are having dental pain. For some dogs, you may notice that there is blood in their saliva. This could indicate that one of their teeth is fractured. If you notice blood, you must take your dog to the vet right away. The tooth may need extraction depending on the severity of the damage.

Keeping your pet healthy and happy should always be a priority. Unfortunately, sometimes pets do have dental problems. The good news is that once you catch them early, you can save your pet a lot of pain. Reach out to a service such as Indian Creek Veterinary Hospital to find out more.