From Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM,
Your Guide to Veterinary Medicine.
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This is part III of this series. Please see Part I and Part II for more "should I call the vet?" scenarios.

My dog has bad breath. Do those 'doggie breath mints' at the pet food store really work?
My main concern would be not how to cover up the bad breath, but rather to find out what is causing the foul odor in the first place. Tartar buildup, infected gums (gingiva), loose and diseased teeth, infected oral tumors, and some systemic diseases, such as kidney problems or diabetes, can cause a change in a pet's breath.

The most common cause of malodorous breath are tooth and gum problems. True, if your dog just snacked in the cat's litter box, temporary bad breath can result! A trip to your veterinarian will determine the cause of your pet's bad breath and if it is a medical issue. If your pet's gums and teeth are determined to be the cause, a dental cleaning will likely be recommended.

Is a dental cleaning really necessary? Why do they have to put my pet under anesthesia?
The first answer is yes. Not only is the bad breath a problem, but an infected mouth (teeth, gums) can result in other, 'larger' problems, such as tooth loss, bone infection, as well as heart and liver infection from the overload of bacteria in the infected tooth socket and gums.

Anesthesia is necessary to do a complete dental cleaning in pets. This includes full oral exam, treatment/removal of diseased teeth, removal of plaque and tartar, and finally polishing the teeth. Animals, no matter how well-trained they may be, simply do not open up their mouth and put up with the noise and possible discomfort involved with a full dental cleaning. Most veterinarians recommend a pre-anesthesia blood panel and possibly antibiotics prior to a dental to minimize risk of anesthetic problems and reduce the risk of serious infection.

Related Reading
Veterinary Q & A: Dental Care For Pets
The Importance of Dental Care for Pets
A Dental Letter
A letter written for owners of pets examined and found to be in need of a dental cleaning - by Jennifer Fry, VMD

My cat urinated in the bathroom sink today. Last night it was the laundry basket. Is he mad about my house guests?
While cats have been known to urinate inappropriately to show their displeasure with a new pet, house guest, living situation, etc. I would recommend having your cat seen immediately by your veterinarian. Especially male (neutered or intact) cats. Why? Because cats are prone to urinary infections, stones, and in some cases, urethral blockages. Male cats, because they have a long, narrow (and curved) penis, can accumulate fine silt or an actual stone that can become lodged in the urethra, blocking urine flow. This is a life-threatening condition that can result in death within 24-72 hours.

While your cat may not act like s/he is in a life-threatening situation, changes can occur rapidly, and time is important. Early signs seen with urethral/bladder problems include, but are not limited to:

• urinating in odd places
• straining in the litterbox, producing nothing (be aware - this is often confused with constipation!)
• licking genital area excessively
• crying when urinating or when picked up
• not eating, vomiting

Please do not delay in speaking with your vet about what you are noticing in your cat. For weekends and holidays, call your vet's regular number - they will have a number or instructions for how to reach emergency care. This can be a very time critical situation and the earlier treated, the better!

Related Reading:
Urinary Diseases and Conditions of Cats
Related Forum Discussion: Cat urinary problem?
We've seen light blood in her urine recently...

Where can I go for more information?
Being informed is your best bet for keeping your pet as health as can be. Here are some resources for further information about pet care and diseases.

Dog Diseases and Conditions - A to Z
Cat Diseases and Conditions - A to Z
Veterinary Q & A - Archive - Many topics to choose from!

Text: Copyright © Janet Tobiassen Crosby. All rights reserved.