Why does my small dog have bad breath? When should I see a vet?

Question

I have an 8 year old Schnauzer mix female, 10.5 lbs. My question is she has horrible breath. We have other small dogs that do not have this problem. Is this a health issue that should be diagnosed by a dr.? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | 8 years and 2 months old | 10.5 lbs

Dr. Davis · Accepted Answer

How adorable! Often bad breat is related to dental disease. There may be gingivitis or she may have a tooth infection. Many times the teeth may look alright but a deeper exam under anesthesia often shows some problems. I recommend a dental exam by your veterinarian. If there is tartar or gum disease they will recommend a dental cleaning. Many veterinarians now take dental X-ray also to see pockets of infection around the tooth roots. After the teeth are cleaned then I recommend brushing the teeth or using an antibacterial mouth rinse. Small dogs tend to have more dental problems probably due to their smaller mouths compared to a big dog. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lela.

Why does my small dog have bad breath? When should I see a vet?

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