Pets can suffer from toothache just like humans, but they might not show the same symptoms. As a pet parent, it’s your responsibility to identify and respond to any pain issues in your furry buddy.
Read on to learn more.
What causes toothache in pets?
Tooth pain in pets is generally triggered by a broken or decaying tooth, infection, abscessed tooth, periodontal disease, jaw fractures, or a foreign body in the mouth. Other possible causes include dietary deficiencies and injury to the jaw.
Your cats or dogs can not inform you when something is wrong in their mouth. In many cases, they even eat and usually behave despite having chronic pain in their mouth. These dental problems can lead to serious health conditions like weight loss and malnutrition when left unaddressed.
That’s why it is essential to prevent toothache in the first place. Ensure that you brush your pet’s teeth at least two times a week, use dental chew toys to help get rid of plaque and tartar, and take them for regular examinations by a vet dentist. To find out how a veterinarian dentist may help with your pet’s toothache and what’s causing it, click here.
What are the signs of toothache in pets?
If you feel your pet may have a toothache, watch out for the following signs:
- Bad breath (halitosis) or drooling. It may seem gross but smell your pet’s breath to check for out-of-the-ordinary odors. Typically, pets’ breaths should smell nothing in particular, just like humans.
- Changes in eating habits. Inspect your pet’s food bowl daily to see if they’re eating less than average. They may also chew or ingest their food differently than normal as a result of discomfort. For example, your pet might take a few bites of food and stop eating completely.
- Lack of energy or irritability. Suppose your pet is usually energetic but all of a sudden exhausted; perhaps it’s an indication that something’s wrong. They may also become unexpectedly irritated or appear uninterested in activities they usually enjoy.
- Excessive pawing at the mouth or face rubbing. If you notice your pet trying to scratch its face or paw at its mouth, it could be trying to alleviate pain there.
- Bleeding gums or discoloration in teeth. Look closely at your pet’s mouth while eating and examine if there are any noticeable indicators of damage or staining in their teeth or gums.
- Trouble drinking water. If your pet has a problem drinking water, it could be a sign of discomfort in the mouth. Pay attention to how they drink and whether they’re making any noises or wincing in discomfort.
- Swelling around the jaw area or discolored gums. Swelling or discolored gums can signify infection or a sore tooth. Check out your pet’s mouth for any signs of swelling or discoloration.
- Uncharacteristic aggression when touched near the face. If your pet normally enjoys affection but becomes hostile when touched around the face, it could be a sign of pain. Observe your pet’s behavior and look for any signs of discomfort with being handled in specific areas. One way to do this is during your cat or dog grooming in White House, TN, when taking a bath or brushing its coat.
- Visible abscesses on gum tissues. Abscesses on gum tissues indicate a severe dental complication in pets. These abscesses are usually caused by an infection or accumulation of pus in the affected area, resulting in swelling and inflammation. Visible abscesses can look like red bumps around the gums, and they may be accompanied by foul breath, drooling, staining of teeth or gums, and difficulty eating or drinking.
Note that they may only show some of these symptoms at once. Similarly, some of these are also connected with other conditions, so you must get your pet checked by a veterinarian if you notice any of the above signs.
Conclusion
Toothache in pets can be a serious, if not deadly, condition that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. If you see any of the signs mentioned above in your pet, call your vet right away for an evaluation. Meanwhile, prevention is the best way to go. Routine oral check-ups and cleanings can help maintain your pet’s teeth and gums healthy and reduce their risk of experiencing a toothache or dental pain in the future.
