Doggy Breath and Gum Disease-Has Your Dog Got it?
Tooth, gum and foul breath problems are probably the number one health issue I’ve seen over the years observing dogs. Beyond my observation, research indicates periodontal disease to be the leading precursor to just about all other diseases that can possibly ruin your dog’s life. The funny thing is, it’s the most obvious condition when you look for it, yet the least noticed by dog owners. People simply have not thought to regularly inspect inside their dogs mouth, and in most cases they just seem to accept that their dog’s smelly breath is “just the way it is”, without considering for a moment why, let alone how, it happened.
Commercial Dog Food Rots Teeth Sooooo Quickly!
Commercial canned food and grain based kibble do not clean teeth. Sludge from the food sticks to the enamel, causing bacterial growth and tartar. Over time gingivitis pockets form under the gum line, eventually leading to periodontal disease. These conditions are easy to see at a glance, as the gum line around the teeth will be inflamed and quite red in color with yellowing teeth, in place of salmon pink gums supporting bright white teeth as they should be. The gum – tooth interface will be lined with tartar buildup, instead of a clean smooth transition between gum and tooth.
Once your dogs gums are heavily encrusted and as a result sore and swollen, toxins from the bacteria will leach down under the gum line to the roots of the tooth and into the blood stream that feeds the jaw line. Once in the dog’s bloodstream, bacteria can then enter and infect organs such as the liver and kidneys, and very quickly the immune system becomes compromised, ultimately leading to disease. [Read more...]
If there is one thing that will take the fun out of pet ownership, it is dog diarrhea. This is especially true when it becomes a chronic or recurring problem. In all reality, it is a type of bowel trouble that most dog owners want to alleviate right away for obvious reasons. However, when nothing seems to work, frustrations can understandably mount. These days, pet related treatments never come cheap and it doesn’t take very long for dog owners to stretch their budget. Still, as inconvenient as it is, extended bouts of the condition requires special attention. Left unchecked, diarrhea can lead to even graver health issues through a massive loss of nutrients and dehydration. 
When it comes to treating a dog infection, a veterinarian will almost always prescribe antibiotics. Then when the infection shows back up an even stronger antibiotic will likely be recommended. A vet may cite a resistant strain of bacteria as the culprit and once again send a dog and its owner on their way. While the antibiotic provides temporary relief, unfortunately it is all a dog and its owner have to look forward to. As long as it is the symptoms of an infection that is being treated and not the underlying cause, this type of illness has all the invitation it needs to keep coming back time and time again.
A common question dog owners ask their vet is: why is my dog lethargic? The answer they get may be anything from illness to injury to dog depression. Yet, when all the expensive tests have been run and there is still no answer, the mystery becomes even deeper. There is nothing worse than watching a canine companion struggle with a lack of energy and the condition is likely to continue unless a pet owner decides to take a good look at the diet their dog has been eating. 
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