4 Common Signs of Canine Stomatitis
Stomatitis might sound like an issue to do with your dog's stomach, but it's actually something that can affect the mouth. The condition refers to inflammation in the gums and mucous membranes of your dog's mouth. There are several reasons why this can happen, but the important thing to know is that your dog could be in a lot of pain until the disorder is successfully treated.
The best thing to do is to catch signs of stomatitis early. You'll need to see a vet to get a proper diagnosis, but here are just a few signs you can watch out for yourself.
Signs of Pain
One reason you'll need to vet to perform a proper oral examination is that anaesthesia must often be used — stomatitis can leave the mouth feeling very painful, so dogs often resist inspections. If your dog suddenly doesn't like to be touched in that area, they may be experiencing pain. Other signs of pain include whining or yelping while eating, leaving food alone altogether, pawing at the mouth, and ignoring chewing on favourite toys.
Bleeding or Swollen Gums
Though your dog might not let you take a close look inside their mouth when suffering from stomatitis, you may still be able to notice swelling or redness. The gums often appear swollen and inflamed, and bleeding from the gums may be evident in lightly reddish saliva. Such symptoms are also associated with periodontal disease, which still requires professional assistance. If inflammation seems to occur on the insides of the lips and along the cheeks, stomatitis is the more likely culprit.
Behavioural Changes
Most dogs will try to hide pain and discomfort, but they won't all act the same when experiencing discomfort. However, behavioural changes will often be seen when your dog is suffering from stomatitis. They may hide from you and seem less interested in general play and exercise. They may also seem to be depressed and lack their normal energy.
Bad Breath
Truth be told, dogs don't tend to have the nicest smelling breath under the best of circumstances, but it can get a lot worse if they develop stomatitis. When bacteria gets into the mouth and inflammation starts producing pus, it's natural for the breath to get a little nastier. Again, this may be a symptom of an unrelated dental health issue, but it should always be a cause of concern that prompts you to visit a vet as soon as possible.
If you're unsure if your dog has canine stomatitis or another ailment, contact services such as Adelaide Animal Emergency & Referral Centre.
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