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When your dog eats, particles of food can become lodged between his teeth and the gumline. Plaque will develop if bacteria is left to accumulate from food particles allowed to remain in the teeth. Plaque can be removed relatively easily. However, if you don’t take steps to do so, it can turn into tartar, which is far more difficult to remove.

Unlike plaque, tartar will irritate your pooch’s gums. If it is not removed, it will cause gingivitis, which will result in inflamed or bleeding gums, and bad breath. But, the problem can become much worse. Given enough time, the amount of tartar beneath the gums can grow, forming pockets that collect bacteria. This marks the onset of periodontal disease (PD) and can eventually cause your dog to lose his teeth or suffer infection as the bacteria enters his bloodstream.

Below, we’ll describe some of the leading causes of periodontal disease in canines. We’ll also explain how veterinarians treat the problem.

What Causes The Problem?

There are several factors that play a role in the development of PD. For example, how old your dog is can have a significant influence. Because periodontal disease takes time to develop, it is most prevalent in older canines, though it also occurs in younger dogs. Their food's texture also has a surprising impact. Harder foods are more effective for rubbing plaque off the teeth than soft, canned foods.

Smaller breeds are generally more vulnerable. Their teeth are usually positioned close together making it more difficult for the plaque to be rubbed off by harder foods or removed through brushing. Also, if owners neglect to brush their dogs' teeth, there is a greater likelihood of the formation of tartar.

Canines that suffer from periodontal disease will often paw at their gums, drool, or show a heightened sensitivity around their mouths. One of the most obvious signs of PD is also the most often overlooked: bad breath. Take your dog to your veterinarian if you notice him or her showing any of these signs.

Forms Of Treatment

Periodontal disease in canines is diagnosed in four grades from early gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. The treatment prescribed by a veterinarian will depend on the grade. Grades 1 and 2 will normally be treated by a thorough dental cleaning whereby any existing tartar will be removed with scalers. The last two grades call for more intensive treatments. A veterinarian might perform root planing, subgingival curettage, and even extraction of one or more teeth.

Owners should consider their dog’s oral health a priority. A minor issue such as bad breath might signal the onset of gingivitis. If it is not fixed within a reasonable amount of time, it will develop into periodontal disease. However, with a regular routine of brushing and periodic dental exams, owners can help keep their canines’ teeth problems at bay.

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Two or more canines living under the same roof tend to be broken apart quickly when having a dispute. The motivation to do so is instinctive. After all, fighting suggests injury and no owner wants to see their dogs hurt. Unfortunately, breaking them apart can cause more problems and inhibit their ability to completely resolve issues within the “pack.”

Below, we’ll explain a few of the most common reasons dogs fight amongst themselves. Once you understand the motivations behind their disputes, you’ll be better able to control the environment in a manner that doesn’t completely disrupt their interaction.

A Struggle For Status

Canines are pack animals and like all pack animals, there is a social structure within their group (even if that “group” only numbers two). The pooch at the top of that structure has the highest status until someone lower in the hierarchy challenges him. The dominant canine will either concede his supremacy or accept a challenging canine’s invitation to fight. This struggle for status within the hierarchy is common, especially if multiple dogs live under one roof and enjoy near equal positions within the “pack’s” internal structure.

Fighting is often triggered when a new pooch is introduced to the group. Even if he does not issue a challenge for authority and dominance, he may initially be seen as a threat. One thing that can lead to a dispute is when a dog is brought back to a group after having spent a long time somewhere else. Positioning to regain status – or protect it – ensues.

When The Owner Shows Favoritism

Owners usually don’t realize it, but they exacerbate dosputes when they intervene in the fighting. The reason is because that intervention is often perceived as favoritism to a lower-status canine. If a dispute takes place and the owner protects the dog with the lower rank from the higher ranked pooch, the intervention can imply an artificial social status. In doing so, it can impact the existing hierarchy leading to even more fighting when the owner is present.

Steps To Eliminate The Fighting

If you own dogs that fight with each other, it’s important that you carefully identify the dominant pooch. The reason is because you need to reinforce the existing social structure. Because access to food, water, and other resources is an important barometer of status with the pack hierarchy, give the dominant pooch first access. That will reduce challenges to authority. To accurately identify dominance, consider their age, dispositions, health, and interaction with each other.

If a dispute happens over access to food, toys, or other items, remove the lower status canine from the environment and give the higher ranked dog access. That sends a clear message that the existing hierarchy has your approval.

Canines fight in order to protect or establish their status within their group. Allow space for the dogs to resolve their own problems quickly. The existing structure needs to be supproted if the dogs cannot resolve their issues.

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Canines are affected by diabetes in the same way that millions of people are everyday. Specifically, the disorder is called diabetes mellitus (DM). An insulin deficiency prevents your pooch’s body from metabolizing glucose effectively. There are two varieties of DM: Type I and Type II. The former is the most prevalent type (99% of dogs with DM suffer from this type) and occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin. The latter occurs when insulin is manufactured but your pooch’s body isn’t able to use it properly.

In the following paragrpahs, we'll lay out the warning signs to look out for if your dog have developed diabetes mellitus. It's a potentially life-threatening condition, so catching it early is critical. We’ll also explain how the disease is diagnosed and treated as well as what you can do at home to help your dog manage the disorder.

Possible Warning Signs

The most common symptoms of DM include a marked increase in the amount of water your canine drinks and as a result, the frequency with which he urinates. You might also notice that he is losing weight even though he maintains a strong appetite. Other signs include a general apathy or decrease in physical activity and the sudden onset of blindness.

Treatment After Diagnosis

The health of your pooch can decline rapidly once diabetes mellitus develops. His body’s inability to process glucose effectively can lead to severe dehydration and other health issues. It is important that you have a veterinarian perform a full physical exam if you notice any of the warning signs described in the section above.

The veterinarian will ask you about your dog’s eating routine as well as his elimination activity. You'll also be asked to describe any changes in his weight and disposition. Then, a urine analysis is performed to identify possible infections and review glucose levels.

Once diabetes mellitus has been diagnosed, your veterinarian will teach you how to administer daily insulin injections for your pooch. He or she will also create a diet and exercise routine that will help your canine manage his weight. The level of insulin administered will probably change during the first several weeks of treatment. Most veterinarians prefer to start cautiously with small doses and increase them gradually.

What You Can Do At Home

Providing care for your dog involves administering daily insulin shots (sometimes, twice daily) as well as any other medications that your veterinarian has recommended. You'll also need to be vigilant regarding your canine's eating and exercise routine in order to ensure he maintains a healthy weight level. If your dog experiences an insulin overdose (he might seem weak or disoriented), give him food right away.

As noted, diabetes mellitus can be potentially deadly. However, once it has been diagnosed, you can help your dog live a healthy, happy, and problem-free life.

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