First, how urgent is this?
Go now
- Bleeding from the mouth, constant drooling, or swelling of the face.
- Refusing food completely, with very low energy.
- Obvious effort to breathe.
- Sudden collapse, or unable to stand.
Contact your vet today
- By age 2, eight in ten dogs already have some periodontal disease.
- Visible tartar, red or receding gums.
- Bad breath with drinking clearly up for several days.
- Chewing on one side, dropping food, or drooling.
- Weight down 5% or more within two weeks at the same time.
Record and observe
- The odd bout of bad breath with clean teeth, improving after brushing.
- A dental scale booked in and brushing at home, with the breath improving.
- Already under vet care: record how often you brush and how the breath changes, and bring it to the next visit.
Before you set off
- Photos of the mouth and teeth.
- When the bad breath started, and whether sudden or gradual.
- Any tartar, bleeding gums, loose or broken teeth.
- Chewing habits, drooling and appetite.
- Water intake and weight records.
- Do not use human toothpaste or mouthwash, and do not pull teeth or give human antibiotics.
What your vet may ask and do
- Ask: when the breath changed, and whether there is drooling or difficulty chewing.
- Ask: any change in drinking, appetite or weight.
- Do: a mouth exam, including probing the gums.
- Do: a dental scale, usually under general anaesthetic with dental X-rays.
- Do: extractions where needed, or referral to a dental specialist.
- Do: blood tests (kidney values, glucose) to rule out a metabolic cause.
- Do: a home brushing plan and regular checks.
Where to go in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong 24-hour vet list
- 24-hour emergency, Hong Kong Island
- 24-hour emergency, Kowloon
- 24-hour emergency, New Territories
- Clinics with dental X-rays
- Clinics with inpatient care
- What emergency and test fees look like
Call the clinic before you drive over, to confirm tonight's arrangements and the location.