Dog's inflamed gums: disease, treatment, prevention

Why a Dog's Gums Bleed - Solving Tooth Problems

Diagnosing

By color:

1. Red gums in a dog indicate stomatitis, an inflammation in the oral cavity. Causes include cavities, improper hygiene, infections, or trauma. Accompanied by abundant saliva, redness, unpleasant odor, and ulcers on the gums.
2. Bluishness is a sign of oxygen deficiency in the blood, caused by lung or heart problems.
3. Too white gums in a dog are due to a lack of hemoglobin in the blood, vascular and heart problems. Pale tissues are also a symptom of anemia.

The normal color of oral tissues is light pink. Pale gums in a dog are normal if the pet has light fur. Black gums in dogs with a dark coat are not considered a pathology. However, it is important not to confuse the natural color with signs of tissue necrosis.

Dental calculus is a common issue. Without regular cleaning at home, the disease leads to enamel destruction. In advanced stages, it contributes to periodontitis, periodontal disease, and abscesses.

Bleeding occurs due to mechanical injuries and dental problems. It is important to note that since dogs are predators, they need to be given hard food to maintain normal teeth and gums. This can be achieved with hard food, bones, and toys.

Treating a Dog's Gums

Treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian. If the problem is local, teeth cleaning from calculus, antiseptics, and antibiotics are prescribed. Modern aesthetic dentistry for animals is available today. Even if a pet loses teeth, it does not become inferior. Pets can also have fillings installed to cover cavities or correct chips.

Dogs with dental problems will need to follow a special diet to avoid worsening the disease. Bleeding can occur not only due to trauma or plaque but sometimes indicates tumor growth. Therefore, a histology is necessary. Benign tumors are surgically removed, while malignant ones require additional therapy and do not always have a favorable prognosis.

Possible Treatment if a Dog's Gums are Swollen

This is a sign of a closed abscess or benign tumor. Veterinarians do not recommend opening an abscess on your own. Before going to the clinic, make your pet more comfortable by giving soft food at a comfortable temperature and pain relief.

An abscess in the mouth should be carefully opened, and drainage should be installed. The cavity is then treated with appropriate agents, ensuring that the wound heals successfully without relapses.

Preventing Gum Diseases in Dogs

From an early age, Yorkshire Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, and Bolognese are prone to dental problems. Basic preventive measures include:

• Weekly teeth cleaning;
• Alternating between hard and soft food;
• Removal of dental plaque;
• Vitamin-enriched diet.

In case of minor inflammation or suspicion of it, you can wipe the gums with gauze soaked in chlorhexidine. Inflammations are common in elderly pets, and they may lose teeth. This is considered normal, but the owner should adjust the diet.