09 Sep What If My Dog Has Mouth Ulcers?
Ulcers in your dog’s mouth may be a sign of something local or systemic so this discussion will address both to help you better understand the disease process.
Ulcers can be localized or generalized, and the location of the ulcers is extremely important in the diagnosis and treatment of them. Let’s first look at localized ulcers. These may be due to a tooth or the plaque on a tooth irritating the gums in an unnatural manner. If a tooth is fractured, even slightly, it can irritate gum tissue and cause local pain and inflammation. Secondly, plaque on a tooth by itself can cause a severe reaction to the gums due to the fact the immune system is overstimulated and causes a violent gum reaction (ulcers).
Chronic periodontal disease that involves inflammation and bone loss can certainly cause oral ulcers around the teeth affected. This gingival ulcer can be extremely painful and your pet may be reluctant to eat or chew on toys. Usually this is more generalized than a reaction around a fractured tooth. A tooth root abscess can cause a localized ulcer and this lesion is very, very painful!
Ulcered lips due to crowding and periodontitis
Severe ulcer due to reaction to plaque on a tooth
Severely painful ulcer related to extensive plaque on a tooth
If you see ulcers on the lips or front teeth area (incisors or canines), ulcers can be due to a pet chewing or licking plastics that are irritating and caustic. This is especially true for the tongue. Ulcers on the tongue can be related to licking materials/plants that are irritants. However, ulcers on the tongue may be something more sinister such as systemic disease, tumors (cancer) or vitamin/mineral deficiency.
Chronic kidney disease that elevates certain enzymes (Urea Nitrogen) to very high levels, can lead to uremic ulcers. These are a sign that the kidneys are failing and immediate attention is needed by your family vet or internal medicine specialist.
To summarize, here is a list of possible causes of mouth ulcers in a dog:
- Periodontal disease (most common)
- Tooth root abscess
- Fractured tooth irritating gums
- Immune mediated disease
- Fungal Disease
- Allergic/reactive to materials (plastics)
- Systemic Disease
Use your nose to smell the oral cavity as well. If the mouth smells like the penguin house at the zoo, this also can tell you that immediate attention is needed by a dental or medical specialist. Therefore, if you notice either a foul smell coming from the mouth or see an ulcer when flipping the lip of your dog, seek veterinary help quickly. We DO NOT recommend antibiotic therapy as a first-line treatment unless one has ruled out all the dental reasons. Using antibiotics to treat ulcers rarely, if ever, works. Your pet may feel good for a few days while on meds, but as soon as the medication is out of the system, the disease rears its ugly head again, now leading to antibiotic resistance. Then you have yourself a HUGE mess on your hands.
Take home message: Seek professional help asap when you note ulcers in your dog’s mouth. It may be simply awful or awfully simple so without our eyes on your pet, one can only speculate the cause. We are here to remove the pain and suffering your pet may be experiencing.
Barden Greenfield, DVM, Dipl. AVDC Board Certified Veterinary Dentist (TM)
Your Pet Dentist of Nashville
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