Dog Dental Emergencies – Signs and Symptoms

Your dog hasn’t been eating like a hungry hound recently. Or you notice she’s more aggressive and agitated—and that’s just not your sweet baby! Well, an often overlooked reason for this could be a problem with your dog’s teeth. As a dog owner, you’re aware of how important your pet’s dental health can be. But how do you know when your dog is experiencing a problem with teeth or gums? Let’s sink our teeth into the signs and symptoms of doggie dental emergencies.

DOGS SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR

A dog’s problem with teeth and gums can be troublesome not just to your furry friend. It can be tough for you to figure out just what’s going on. As with any dog emergency, getting a quick diagnosis and treatment is essential.

Here are some of the most common signs that could mean your doggo is in need of fast dental attention.

SWELLING: A BIG, BIGGER, EVEN BIGGER PROBLEM

Swelling is one of the first signs of a canine dental emergency. Here’s the tricky thing about swelling though: it can occur at the site of the problem—but it can also show up anywhere in and around your dog’s mouth, face, and neck. So, any unexplained swelling in those areas can mean a dental emergency.

Notice your dog flinching if you go near the area that’s swollen? That’s because swelling is often accompanied with pain, which further indicates a problem. Head to your family GP veterinarian as soon as possible. And if the swelling is in your dog’s snout or neck instead of her mouth, go to the emergency vet, as this may also be a sign of anaphylaxis.

BLEEDING: SLIGHT VS. SIGNIFICANT

If there’s significant bleeding going on in your mouth, you’d probably get to the dentist right away. Same for your little buddy. If he or she is showing significant bleeding, it’s typically due to a dental emergency.

So how much is significant? Well, slight bleeding may occur from a variety of causes, including something as simple as a cut on the mouth or tongue from a favorite chew toy. This is not that. If your dog’s mouth is bleeding considerably, or if the bleeding worsens or does not stop, it’s time to see VEG or your nearest emergency vet.

TOOTH LOSS: GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THIS PROBLEM

Age is a consideration for tooth loss. Let’s look at the different stages of a dog’s life through a toothy lens:

• A puppy should lose all of her baby teeth during the first several months of her life. That’s not a cause for alarm and is part of her growing charm.
• As your dog gets a bit long in the tooth, it is normal for her to lose a few teeth here and there. It just happens with age.
• If your otherwise healthy adult dog is losing teeth, now we’re thinking there may be a dental health problem that needs to be addressed.
• At any age, if your dog is losing several teeth at once—that’s a problem too that requires a vet check.
• If your dog suffered an injury which resulted in losing one or more teeth, treat this as a dental emergency.

ABSCESS: A YUCKY SITUATION—AND SERIOUS

An abscess in the mouth is a pocket of infection that usually happens following a cut or other injury. An abscess can become severe if it pops or drains, and may lead to a serious blood infection if left untreated.

If you notice an abscess in your dog’s mouth or you suspect this could be what’s going on, see an emergency vet right away. The sooner you have the abscess drained or removed professionally, the safer your dog will be.

AGGRESSIVE OR DEFENSIVE: DON’T DISMISS A MOODY MUTT

If your dog seems to be more edgy than normal, whether showing aggression or defensiveness, it means she is in pain. If this behavior occurs most commonly when you try to pet her face or snout, this may mean the pain is coming from her mouth.

Take your dog to her regular vet to figure out what’s causing her pain. If she has any other, more severe symptoms, emergency vet instead of waiting to get an appointment with your pet’s regular veterinarian.

THIS ONE’S HARD TO SWALLOW

If your dog is unwilling to eat or is having difficulty swallowing, there could be a variety of reasons, but often it means something is going on with your dog’s dental health. Either of these symptoms should be checked by a vet as sooner than later to find the, a-hem, root of the cause.

A heads up: your vet may recommend a surgical procedure if necessary to remove the affected teeth or treat any other issues. However, in some cases, your dog may not be a good candidate for dental surgery. If that’s the case, you should ask your vet about feeding your dog wet food moving forward.

SEEK VETERINARY CARE FOR DOG DENTAL EMERGENCIES

This list does not cover all the symptoms of dental emergencies in dogs, but we’ve listed common indicators that are really good to know. Definitely keep up with regular dental cleanings by a veterinary professional to ensure your dog does not experience any dental emergencies. If possible, brush her teeth once or twice a month, and be sure to give her something to chew on—periodically, dental health treats are indeed a treat and may help reduce tooth plaque and tartar.

For more deets on dog dental emergencies, contact VEG by calling one of our locations. VEG has hospitals across the country; all of our ERs are open 24 hours a day, on weekends and holidays too! Our team of VEGgies care about your dog’s wellbeing as much as you do, and we’re always here for you and your pet when you need us most.