Gingivitis in dogs - in detail about inflammation of the gums. Discoloration of gums in dogs - red, white, gray Inflamed gums in a dog what to do

The need to get food for a dog is one of the main needs of an animal. If the process of food intake is carried out without any disturbances preventing it, then for a beloved pet it will bring only joy, however, if complications arise, the dog may develop serious diseases associated with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and severe exhaustion of the body. One of these "interfering with normal eating" disorders is gingivitis.

Etymology of the disease

Gingivitis is called gum disease in dogs. It would seem that gingivitis should not be considered a serious disease, it can be easily cured. But in fact, this is not so, this ailment in a complicated form can cause abscesses not only in the oral cavity of the dog, but also in all the internal organs of the animal. Such a disease should not be treated negligently.

Types of gingivitis

Inflammation of the gums in dogs is divided into:

  1. Acute.
  2. Chronic.
  3. Local.
  4. Bulk (generalized).
  5. Catarrhal gingivitis.

Many veterinarians distinguish, along with this classification, a necrotic form of the disease.

Causes of the disease

When it comes to gingivitis, a dog owner can easily think of the human disease of gingivitis and subsequent tooth loss, scurvy. In humans, this pathology occurs due to a lack in the body of a number of vitamins and trace elements that are especially important for humans (vitamin C, ascorbic acid). In a dog, a lack of these elements can also cause gingivitis, but a lack of ascorbic acid rarely causes this ailment.

The worms living in the dog's body feed on vitamins, depriving the dog's body of them, which is why gingivitis occurs. Veterinarians consider this reason rare, based on the fact that vigilant owners, monitoring the health of their beloved pets, fight helminthic infestations in a timely manner.

One of the most common causes of gingivitis in dogs is the presence of tartar, presented in the form of a plaque of dark green color. Its occurrence is accompanied by the appearance of a huge number of microbes, which can not only cause inflammation of the gums, but also cause more serious diseases.

Often, veterinarians attribute the occurrence of gingivitis in dogs to poor quality food. Owners who do not want to take care of the health of their dog are literally stuffing the animal with low-quality dry food and bones. If the dog constantly eats hard, low-quality food, this can lead to inevitable injury to the tissues of the oral cavity, as a result of which pathogenic microflora will occur.

Surprisingly, soft foods can also cause flare-ups in dogs. Soft canned food can also cause gingivitis, this is due to the fact that:

  • Such feeding leads to the accelerated appearance of tartar on the dog's teeth.
  • Lack of hard food in the dog's diet adversely affects the gums, which in turn become flabby, soft and susceptible to various bacterial infections.
  • With this type of feeding, autoimmune diseases can occur.

It is not uncommon for an absolutely healthy dog ​​to suddenly develop severe ulcerative gingivitis, which do not even have the slightest sign of the appearance of tartar, and they receive a balanced diet in the form of high-quality food. In this case, the canine body itself becomes the culprit for the occurrence of gingivitis, which, for unknown reasons, attacks its own tissues.

Gingivitis is very common in young animals when their teeth change from milk teeth to molars.

Symptoms of the disease

  1. The appearance of a putrid odor from the dog's mouth.
  2. The dog refuses food, even his most beloved.
  3. The animal is rapidly losing weight.
  4. In acute inflammation, the body temperature rises.
  5. The dog's gums swell and turn red.
  6. Purulent gingivitis is accompanied by the accumulation of exudate at the base of the teeth.
  7. The appearance of loose teeth.

Diagnosis of the disease

The disease is established by a veterinarian by visual examination and identification of clinical and anamnestic signs.

Treating Gingivitis in Dogs

If the above symptoms are detected, the dog owner should immediately seek help from a veterinary clinic. There is no need to start this disease in any case. At home, it is impossible to cope with it, but it is quite possible to improve the health of the dog.

Veterinarians recommend wiping the teeth of a sick animal with a cotton pad dipped in a weak solution of baking soda, they also recommend washing the dog's mouth with a decoction of sage, chamomile, and infusion of oak bark. All of these agents have an astringent effect and give an anti-inflammatory effect. Before carrying out this procedure, you should thoroughly clean the dog's teeth from food debris.

The treatment for gingivitis is:

  • Complete removal of tartar from the teeth.
  • The use of electrophoresis (heparin solution).
  • Passing a course of physiotherapy.
  • gum massage.

What is gingivitis in dogs

Gingivitis (localized, i.e. partial, or generalized, i.e. affecting all gums) is nothing more than inflammation of the gums. The gums become painful, bright red, swell. If you do not pay due attention to the problem, then gingivitis can go into a chronic stage, accompanied by multiple abscesses, which, in turn, can lead to both loss of teeth and serious problems with the digestive tract.
At the initial stage, the disease causes minor discomfort when eating. However, subsequently the animal experiences pain, whines when trying to eat, and then refuses to eat at all.

Causes of Gingivitis in Dogs

Symptoms of Gingivitis in Dogs

How does gingivitis manifest itself? According to the increasing symptoms of the disease is as follows:
Partially or completely swollen and bright red gums
The gums bleed when eating, as well as when they are palpated
There is profuse salivation, stench from the mouth
Blue discoloration of interdental papillae
"Overgrown" gums are damaged by teeth
Ulcers appear, gum tissue changes at the point of contact with the teeth
It all doesn't seem so harmless anymore, does it? Therefore, if there is even a hint that the dog may have gingivitis, it is better not to hesitate. Timely examination and treatment will preserve the health of the dog, the nervous system of the owner and his wallet.

Treating Gingivitis in Dogs

First of all, it is necessary to establish and eliminate the root cause of the disease, while simultaneously dealing with the gums. The complex of treatment is an individual matter, it depends on the stage of the disease and the state of health of the animal, however, the procedure for cleaning the teeth from plaque and removing tartar will be mandatory; You may need to grind some of your teeth. Any procedure must necessarily be preceded by abundant irrigation of the pasture with antiseptics. If bleeding gums are still noted after removal of tartar, it may take some time to apply heparin ointment. As maintenance therapy and prevention, it is recommended to take a vitamin-mineral complex, daily brushing of the dog's teeth.

It is characterized by inflammation of the gums, caused by the adverse effects of both local and general factors, and proceeds without violating the integrity of the dentoepithelial attachment, i.e., without the formation of periodontal pockets. Downstream gingivitis can be acute and chronic.

Acute gingivitis occurs due to mechanical, bacterial, allergic or other effects.

Chronic gingivitis appears due to a disease of the internal systems of the animal's body, such as cardiovascular, digestive, or hormonal disorders, diseases of the blood system, immunodeficiency states, as well as when taking medications.

According to the prevalence in the oral cavity in dogs, gingivitis can be localized (in a separate part of the gum) or generalized (throughout the gum).

Catarrhal (serous) and hypertrophic gingivitis are mainly found in dogs.

Catarrhal gingivitis develops as a result of local influences: dental plaque, caries, mechanical injuries of the teeth, poor hygiene care for the oral cavity of the animal, gum injuries, etc. In this case, the leading role in the pathogenesis belongs to various dental deposits (from plaque to various types of tartar ).

Hypertrophic gingivitis occurs, as a rule, with prolonged exposure to various factors on the gums, not only of a local nature, but also of a general one. In the etiology of generalized hypertrophic gingivitis, changes in the hormonal background of the animal's body are decisive (gingivitis of bitches during or after estrus). Hypertrophic gingivitis has edematous and fibrous forms.

Clinical signs. With catarrhal gingivitis, the dog has redness and swelling of the gums. On palpation of the inflamed gums, it can bleed.

On the first day of the development of gingivitis, the animal does not show any serious deviations in the general condition. With a longer course of the disease, there is a weakened intake of food, halitosis, the animal evades inspection of the mouth.

An objective examination of the gums of a sick dog determines a significant increase in the volume of the interdental papillae and the gingival margin, which have a bluish tint and a shiny surface. An instrumental examination recorded an abundance of soft plaque with particles of food, the formation of pseudopathological periodontal pockets with abundant detritus.

Hypertrophic gingivitis is more often localized in the area of ​​incisors, canines and molars. The gums grow along or over the teeth, making them more susceptible to injury than healthy gums.

Under the enlarged gums, there is a large amount of deposits with the obligatory presence of food particles.

Prolonged course of hypertrophic gingivitis leads to its fibrous form and/or ulcerative gingivitis.

The clinical picture of the fibrous form is poor in symptoms and is characterized by an overgrown gingival mucosa, while the gingival papillae are not changed in color, do not bleed, the gingival margin has a non-shiny, bumpy surface.

In addition, there is proliferation of the epithelium deep into the connective tissue (acanthosis), proliferation of fibroblasts, an increase in collagen fibers, and rare foci of inflammatory infiltration. Most often recorded in collies, large breeds and older dogs. Ulcerative gingivitis occurs in the form of formation on the gums of areas of ulceration of the mucous membrane of the gums.

Diagnosis is put according to the main (clinical) and additional (paraclinical) research methods. The main methods include taking an anamnesis and examining the dog's oral cavity.

Of great importance is a direct examination of the oral cavity: the condition of the teeth and the entire mucous membrane; conditions of the gingival margin (color, consistency, exudate, atrophy or hypertrophy, ulceration, fistulas, abscesses, prevalence in the cavity, the presence of periodontal pockets), the presence of tartar and plaque. The depth of periodontal pockets is determined by a special graduated probe from four surfaces of the tooth, the nature and amount of exudate are determined visually. Tooth mobility is detected with tweezers, and the degree of involvement of the pulp in the overall process with the help of electroodontometry. From special research methods, the Schiller-Pisarev test and X-ray control can be used. The Schiller-Pisarev test is an intravital staining of gum glycogen, the amount of which increases with inflammation. This test allows you to determine the presence and prevalence of inflammation. Intensive staining of the gums in brown color after lubrication with Schiller-Pisarev solution (crystalline iodine - 1 g, potassium iodide - 2 g, distilled water - 40 ml) indicates inflammation. This test is also an objective test of ongoing anti-inflammatory therapy.

X-ray control is desirable to be carried out using the most informative research methods (panoramic radiography and orthopantomography)

Treatment It is desirable to conduct dogs on the principle of the most individual approach to the animal, taking into account the data of the general and dental status. With gingivitis caused by diseases of various body systems, treatment of these systems is necessary. The treatment of gingivitis involves the impact on the pathological focus in the periodontium and the body of the animal as a whole, therefore it is conditionally divided into local and general.

Local treatment is also complex and necessarily includes the elimination of irritating and traumatic periodontal factors (removal of dental deposits, selective grinding of occlusal surfaces of teeth, etc.). Before and after various manipulations in the dog's oral cavity, the surface of her mouth is treated with antiseptic solutions (3% hydrogen peroxide solution, 0.06% solution of chlorhexidine, furacilin 1:5000, potassium permanganate 1:1000, etc.).

Treatment of catarrhal gingivitis involves the use of decongestants such as polymenerol, maraslavin, 3% copper sulfate solution, followed by treatment of the gums with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Keratoplastic preparations are prescribed in the form of applications (sea buckthorn and rosehip oils, caratolin, phytodent).

Enzyme inhibitors are used as means of pathogenetic therapy. Heparin (hyaluronidase inhibitor), a drug that normalizes vascular tissue permeability, is used as a solution for electrophoresis or as an ointment for applications. Trasilol and contrical (protease inhibitors of tissue origin) are used for applications and electrophoresis (the vial is diluted in 10 ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution or 1% novocaine solution). Treatment of hypertrophic gingivitis of the edematous form is carried out with the use of surface sclerosing therapy (3% solution of copper sulfate, potassium iodide, maraslovin, etc.). A good effect is given by deep sclerotization - injections of sclerosing substances into the top of the gingival papillae (40% glucose solution, 10% hydrogen peroxide solution).

This procedure is also possible with the help of a needleless injector. In the fibrous form of hypertrophic gingivitis, 0.1-0.2 ml of lidase can be injected into the interdental papillae (the contents of the ampoule are diluted in 1-1.5 ml of a 0.5% novocaine solution) or surgical excision of the hypertrophied gums can be performed.

Of the physiotherapeutic methods, various types of massage, heparin electrophoresis, point diathermocoagulation of the gingival papillae are used. It should not be forgotten that physiotherapeutic methods play an auxiliary role in the treatment of this disease.

For the general treatment of all forms of gingivitis, vitamins are prescribed. Their course of application is about 1 month. With a hemorrhagic symptom, vitamin C is prescribed, for the inhibitory effect of hyaluronidase - vitamin P, with concomitant diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract - vitamin PP. Among other things - vitamins of group B.

Desensitizing and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed in combination with hormones. Good results of treatment in various forms of gingivitis are obtained by biogenic stimulation.

Biogenic stimulants of plant and animal origin are used: aloe extract, FiBS, vitreous or placental body, etc. It should be remembered that these drugs cannot be used during animal pregnancy, oncological diseases and during estrus. Vaccines may be used. It is carried out by preparing autovaccines of the microflora of periodontal pockets.


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Dental problems always bring suffering

What to do if you suddenly notice that your dog's gums are bleeding? In fact, such a misfortune does not happen so rarely, because there are quite a few reasons for bleeding gums. First of all, it is necessary to identify exactly the one that led to damage to the soft tissues of the oral cavity in your pet, and only then proceed to correct the unpleasant consequences.

Reason number 1 - tartar.

Our site previously posted material on this problem, so we will not repeat ourselves (see the article about). Let's just say that this ill-fated stone, covering the tooth at the base, raises the gum, as a result of which it becomes more loose and soft. Any load, for example, chewing food, becomes too serious a test for weakened tissues, they are easily damaged and begin to bleed.

If your dog has developed tartar, it is advisable to remove it immediately. You can do this at home (read more at the link above) or in a veterinary clinic. Of course, if the spread of the stone has gone so far, you should not even try to remove it yourself, it is better to trust the doctors.

But the next procedure, which will need to be repeated after six months, can be done at home.

In addition to removing hard deposits, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. You may also need to treat your gums after eating until they are completely healed. If your dog needs it, the veterinarian will make all the necessary recommendations based on his condition.

Reason number 2 - trauma.

A dog can easily damage the mucous membrane itself, since it does not have such sensitivity to pain as a person does. Most often this happens during feeding or too active games. Hence the conclusion: do not give your pet too hard food (for example, bones, especially with sharp edges) and do not let him play with plastic bottles, wooden sticks (they are easy to splinter), etc.

Reason number 3 - change of teeth.

At about six months of age, the puppy is active. At this time, the milk ones fall out, and the root ones erupt. Sometimes the gums start to bleed. This is normal, so don't worry.

Alertness should cause only severe bleeding, which, however, is very rare.

Reason number 4 is inflammation.

Inflammation of the gums in a dog, the treatment and symptoms of which will be described below, can also lead to bleeding.

Inflammatory gum disease

The main signs that your dog is developing one of the inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity include:

  • gum bleeding,
  • foul odor from mouth
  • increased volume of lymph nodes located below the jaw,
  • increased salivation,
  • poor appetite or complete refusal to eat,
  • trembling of chewing muscles,
  • discoloration of teeth
  • red gums on a dog.

If you notice any of the above symptoms in your pet, then, most likely, the doctor, after examining and passing tests, will find one of the common diseases in him, including:

  • gingivitis,
  • stomatitis,
  • caries,
  • periodontitis,
  • periodontitis,
  • periodontoma.

Unfavorable factors provoking the development of these ailments include:

  • non-compliance with oral hygiene (read about brushing your teeth);
  • mucosal injury,
  • hormonal dysfunction,
  • intoxication,
  • chewing food mainly on one side,
  • disruption of the endocrine system,
  • intestinal and stomach diseases,
  • problems with the nervous system.

Inflammatory gum disease must be treated, because the more time passes, the more the disease develops. The edges of the gums separate from the teeth and form pockets in which food quickly accumulates and rots. All this leads to even more severe inflammatory processes.

Self-treatment is impossible, so be sure to show the dog to the veterinarian. Depending on the condition of the patient's gums, he can conduct special antibiotic therapy, as well as recommend the removal of tartar and non-viable teeth.

After that, the owner must ensure that the dog absorbs only crushed and soft food for some time, and that its mouth is treated with a soda solution after each meal. It is also useful to wipe the mouth twice a day with a cotton swab dipped in a solution of chlorhexidine.