Does your dog love to snuggle and put his face close to yours? Nothing’s better than that! And nothing’s worse, either, if your dog happens to have bad breath! There are many things that can cause bad breath in dogs.
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Has your dog’s breath started to smell like chlorine? Are you worried this is an indication that your dog could be sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog develops this type of symptom.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what can cause a dog’s breath to smell like chlorine and how you can help your dog. Let’s get started!
The Most Common Cause of Chlorine-Breath in Dogs
The most common reason that a dog’s breath may smell like chlorine is due to kidney issues. When the kidneys are working correctly, they remove waste products from the dog’s blood. These are filtered and excreted into the urine.
It’s possible for kidney disease to develop suddenly or come on slowly. When the kidneys have something wrong, they’re no longer able to filter out the waste products in the dog’s bloodstream. This causes the waste products to build up in the dog’s body, which can lead to foul-smelling breath and other symptoms.
Kidney disease can develop for many reasons:
- Certain dog breeds are more prone to kidney problems, including English Cocker Spaniels, Bull Terries & German Shepherds.
- Older dogs develop kidney problems more than younger dogs.
- Toxic substances can cause kidney problems (such as anti-freeze, plants, chocolate, and more)
- Urinary tract issues can lead to kidney damage (such as stones, infections, and more)
Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has developed kidney disease:
- Foul breath
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Vomiting (usually continuous)
- Drinking more water than normal
- Increased urination
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, then call the vet immediately. This is a medical emergency.
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Ask a Vet Live NowTreatment of Kidney Disease in Dogs
Treatment will depend on the severity of the kidney problem. The vet can treat kidney issues with medication, IV fluid therapy, special diets, and more.
In some cases, a dog can live with kidney problems for months and years. It just depends on how soon the issue is found and treated. The sooner a kidney problem is diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis will be for the dog.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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