Dgg with bad Breath

[hazeluk]

We have a 3 year old Greyhound whose breath could strip wallpaper! She is on a good diet, has bones and lovely white teeth no obvious tartar, Any suggestions to make her beath sweeter would really be appreciated. Thanks Hazel

[Eric Git]

Hi,
I have the same problem with my two dogs, and have found that garlic tablets are good for this. Just one a day with their food, or in a piece of cheese works wonders. You smell the results after about a week and the good thing is that not only does it help the breath, but it keeps the blood circulation good for them too.

[B00]

Be careful with the amount of cheese though, or you'll be smelling an altogether, equally disgusting, different smell!

[hazeluk]

Thanks Eric - I'll give the garlic a try and report back.

Hi Boo - LOL - I can just imagine the reulting present she would leave me as well as a disgusting smell !!

[grannyg]

Feeding a dog bones (cooked or raw) can lead to a very expensive Vet's bill and pain and suffering to the animal.

[hazeluk]

just to clarify - she has the 'pretend' bones from the vet, not butchers bones cooked or otherwise

[grannyg]

Good, glad you took the trouble to put me right.
Thank you.

[hazeluk]

lol - not 'putting you right' just wanted to reassure LOL
Thanks

[saxy_jag]

I agree with Eric, garlic is good (even though you wouldn't think it).

Bad breath is very common in greyhounds and usually accompanies poor dental health. If she is an ex-racer, then it's likely that, as a youngster, she was fed on a very high protein mush in order to make her grow faster. She wouldn't have been given much in the way of roughage or stuff to chew on.

To have teeth cleaned or scaled for this breed is tricky due to the type of anaesthetic needed to sedate the dog. Most dogs absorb 'excess' anaesthetic back into their body fat and sleep it off very quickly. Greyhounds, of course, don't carry body fat and would therefore sleep for far too long - hence a special (expensive) anaesthetic is necessary.

[hazeluk]

Your right saxy, she is an ex racer - rescued before her trainer could bang her on the head Grrrr. I wouldn't let her have a GA unless it was absoloutly necessary because of the dangers.

Her teeth 'look' good. I have 3 dogs, Bracken, 16 year old American Cocker, Max 9 year old Springer/Cocker cross as well as Orla (the greyhound) The older two's teeth don't look any where near as good as Orlas and yet their breath is OK - weird.

I will get the garlic tabs and see if that helps.

[emuchops]

ive had several dogs including gh's and they do seem to have a tendancy towards bad breath.
I brush all my dogs teeth every 3-4 days with any human mouthwash diluted with water-paying particular attention to molars,back of front bottom/top teeth, tongue and roof of mouth. They hate it initially but soon get used to it-perhaps try with plain water first. I had one rescue GH who's teeth were appalling-I used Corsodyl(available from chemist) daily on her and they really improved-just needs a bt of perserverance!!

[AHApartridge]

i think pedigree actually sell minty dog bones - no joke

[Pebbles]

Don't want to worry you but just a thought here, bad breath can be an indication of kidney problems. Our Mastiff had very smelly breath and his kidneys were failing.

[hazeluk]

Hi Pebbles.....hmmmm, I wonder if there is a prob. Think I will stick trying the garlic tabs, and if there is no improvment will take her for a check up. She seems really healthy though - not excessive wee ing or such

[lankeela]

There is a homeopathic product called Fragaria that comes in a little white tablet. You give one a day for a month, and then one a week for a maintenance dose and it clears up any plaque and helps keep the breath fresh. they cost about �5 for 100, so a pot of 100 would last one dog for 18 months. They are very tiny, so easy to take and as they are totally homeopathic they can be given alongside any medication without causing any harm.

It is useful if you have an older dog that you don't want to have 'knocked out' at the vet to get its teeth cleaned (never mind the expense!).

Just one point, greyhounds are not given high protein food so that they will grow quickly - this would not help them when they came to run, as their bones would be too spindly and brittle. They have a high protein food (which all puppies need) because their bodies need extra protein while they are growing. They are often fed soft food which doesn't help their teeth, but mine were always given bones and biscuits.

[hazeluk]

Well the garlic capsules are amazing. Orla has been on the vegetarina garlic oil capsules for just over a week and her breath is 90% better. The only problem now is what to do about carrying on.

I did take a look at Fragaria but couldn't find a supplier in the UK only the US. They seem like a good permanent method.

Not sure if I should keep feeding the garlic capsules on a regular basis.