My dog has gum disease and is coughing. Is it serious? What to do?

Question

My dog has gum disease and has been coughing alot, what can I do for her.

Debi Matlack · Accepted Answer

Your dog needs to be seen by a vet for diagnosis and treatment of this condition, if you have not already done this. If your dog needs a dental cleaning and/or extractions and is healthy enough for anesthesia, this will be the best help for her. Bad teeth and gums harbor loads of bacteria, as they swallow, these bacteria flood the rest of the body and will cause a number of health problems, the most concerning and critical of which is heart disease, called vegetative endocarditis. Bacterial infections in other locations of the body, such as the mouth (periodontal disease), the bones, the prostate or uterus, the kidneys, the intestines, or the skin, including abscesses and bite wounds may all be associated with the development of heart valve infection and inflammation. Invasive diagnostic or surgical procedures that force bacteria into the bloodstream, immunosuppressive drugs or treatments, and cancer also increase the risk of developing endocarditis. Most of the clinical signs are associated with left-sided congestive heart failure: coughing, difficulty breathing, exercise intolerance, and lethargy. Many dogs will develop a heart murmur as the condition progresses. High systolic blood pressure is diagnosed in many dogs with endocarditis. In the acute state, while the infection is active, a low-grade fever, general malaise and a history of infection, often in the mouth, is noted. In the acute stages of endocarditis, antibiotics are indicated and are commonly prescribed but they will not reverse the damage to the valves. Once valvular insufficiency and congestive heart failure develop, treatment is focused on treating the irreversible heart disease and the associated clinical signs. Because the condition is irreversible, prevention is essential. Routine oral care including thorough cleaning and polishing by your veterinarian and proper home care in the form of brushing and rinsing is one of the best defenses against endocarditis.

My dog has gum disease and is coughing. Is it serious? What to do?

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