Always Air On The Side Of Caution
Diarrhea in dogs has a long list of possible causes and is one of the most frequent afflictions an owner will have to deal with. But that doesnt mean all cases of stomach upset should be treated without concern.
In the end, you are your dogs advocate and it is your job to make sure your pup is safe and healthy. If youre not sure whether your dog is suffering from something serious or just getting over a belly ache, its always best to be cautious and get your pup checked out by a vet.
What Are The Signs Of A Tooth Infection Or Abscess In Dogs
Dogs start with 42 teeth However, by the age of 3 most dogs have experienced dental disease or tooth infection that ultimately requires an extraction. Five common signs that indicate a dog tooth infection may be present include:
1. Oral discomfort or a toothache. Dental disease is painful! However, many dogs will never show outward signs of pain. To show pain is to show weakness and be more susceptible as prey, even though they may not have active predators in their environment.
2. Bad breath. Dental infections frequently cause halitosis . This is easily the most common complaint from dog owners when their pet is dealing with dental disease.
3. Drooling. Due to the pain and difficulty dogs can experience with a tooth infection, drooling may occasionally be observed, but this is typically more common in cats.
4. Decreased appetite. Some dogs will have a decreased food intake or simply eat their food more slowly when they are dealing with a dental infection. However, many dogs have a normal appetite when they have dental infections. Their natural survival instincts are so strong, they simply will not give up their desire to eat.
5. Facial swelling. Facial swelling is occasionally observed with infections in the upper jaw and should be evaluated as soon as possible by your veterinarian. Some dental infections of the upper jaw will even lead to signs of upper respiratory disease due to the close proximity of upper jaw teeth to the nasal passages.
Types Of Tooth Infections & Abscesses
Periapical abscess: An abscess a the tip of your tooths root. It can be caused by a cracked tooth or cavity and spreads from the pulp inside of your tooth
Periodontal abscess: An abscess on your gum next to a tooth, caused by an infection that spreads to the bone and supporting tissues around your teeth.
Gingival abscess: An abscess resulting in an infection in your gums.
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Diarrhea Caused By Bacterial Infection:
Bacteria enter the body through contaminated food and water and cause bacterial infection. Most common bacteria causing diarrhea are Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Yersinia and salmonella. These parasites which cause bacterial infection resulting in diarrheal are found in:
- Yersinia is found in pork.
- Staphylococcus is found in dairy products, meat and eggs.
- Shigella is found in water.
- Salmonella is found in meat, dairy products and eggs.
- E. coli is found in beef and salads.
A person suffering from a bacterial infection can spread it to another person if the food gets contaminated by that infected person. People who travel a lot or who have a weak immune system are at an increased risk of getting infected from these bacteria which leads to diarrhea.
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Sexual Practices And Behavior
Actively manipulating social norms and adolescents’ perceptions of the social benefits associated with sexual behavior may also prove to be effective prevention strategies. Evidence for the occurrence of HIV transmission through oral sex is becoming clearer with the shift away from higher risk sexual behavior. The main dilemma now is how to present the small but real risk of oral sex without encouraging a resumption of higher risk sexual activity , which it has been suggested may accompany an awareness that oral intercourse is not risk-free.
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Elevated Respiratory And Heart Rate
The infection could damage your heart and lungs. It may cause your heart to beat unusually fast. You could also feel that you have to pant or gasp to breathe correctly.
Oral infections arent just limited to teeth, gums, and jaws. They can spread to your body, cause sepsis, and possibly damage your organs. So do yourself a favor and seek a dental or medical professional when you come across any of these signs.
When Should I See A Dentist
You should see a dentist regularly for check-ups. If you suspect you have a tooth abscess, or you have a toothache, see your dentist as soon as possible. A tooth abscess will not get better on its own in fact, an untreated abscess might get worse and lead to life-threatening complications if the infection spreads to other parts of the body.
You should also see a dentist for a check-up as soon as you can if you have chipped or broken teeth.
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Infected Tooth Cause Nausea Diarrhea And Chills
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Food Allergies And Sensitivities
In some instances, diarrhea can occur even when your dog is on a proper diet of quality food. This can happen if your dog has food allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients.
Whats the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity?
A food allergy is similar to seasonal allergies and bee sting reactions in that the immune system is involved. When your dog experiences a true food allergy, the food is digested normally, but an immune response occurs in the gut or the bloodstream. Proteins most commonly trigger this immune response as the body mistakes the food particle for an invading virus or bacteria.
Food allergies most often result in reactions like hives or itchy, irritated skin. In severe cases, they can trigger anaphylaxis. In some dogs, food allergies can lead to loose stool and vomiting.
Much more likely to cause loose stool is a food sensitivity. Unlike allergies that involve the immune system, food sensitivities are usually restricted to reactions within the gut. Food sensitivities are often a sign of deeper issues, such as the inability to create certain enzymes, larger digestive disease, or chronic stress.
Most commonly, food allergies cause symptoms like excessive itchiness and inflamed skin, but in some cases, they can also cause diarrhea.
Highly processed food seems to cause more issues than foods in their natural state. If your dog seems sensitive to a wide array of ingredients, you may consider a raw diet.
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Proven Symptoms Of Teething
Teething has been researched in-depth. Kids who are teething are little different from kids who are not teething. Here are the main symptoms that have been proven:
- Drooling. Increased spit and drooling.
- Rash. Face rash from drooling. The drool contains little bits of food that are irritating to the skin.
- Chewing. Increased need to chew on things.
- Gum Pain. Gum pain is mild and not always present. May be due to mouth germs getting into the new break in the gum. Most often, your baby just acts a little more fussy. There’s not enough discomfort to cause crying. It also doesn’t hurt enough to cause sleep problems.
Whats The Difference Between Normal Diarrhea And Severe Diarrhea
There are actually several different ways to classify diarrhea. These types of diarrhea include:
- Acute diarrhea: The most common, acute diarrhea is loose watery diarrhea that lasts one to two days. This type doesnt need treatment and it usually goes away after a few days.
- Persistent diarrhea: This type of diarrhea generally persists for several weeks two to four weeks
- Chronic diarrhea: Diarrhea that lasts for more than four weeks or comes and goes regularly over a long period of time is called chronic diarrhea.
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What Happens Once An Abscess Develops
Once an abscess has formed, you typically begin to experience swelling and intermittent, throbbing pain around the affected tooth. This is a warning sign that something is wrong. However, you will probably have dental pain in your tooth from the cavity before it progresses into an abscess.
Casestudies of serious illness or death from tooth infections often describe persistent toothaches that go on for weeks or months before seeking urgent or emergency care.
In many case studies, the toothaches were treated with antibiotics during this timeframe. However, antibiotics alone arent typically effective for treating a dental abscess. The tooth decay needs to be treated, too, either with an extraction or root canal if your tooth is salvageable.
When a dental abscess remains untreated for weeks or months, it may spread to other areas like the jaw, neck, and brain. This can cause serious symptoms like trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing, and an inability to open your mouth.
At this point, if care isnt received, death can occur quickly, sometimes in a matter of days.
Medical Mystery: What Caused Healthy Woman’s Severe Diarrhea Abdominal Pain
The patient had to use the bathroom at least 10 times a day. Her appetite vanished, and she developed severe abdominal pain. When she noticed she was too weak to care for her children, she came to the ER.
A woman in her early 30s came to the emergency room after experiencing abdominal cramps associated with watery diarrhea. She had been feeling nauseated and had not been eating or drinking much for about a week, and had a fever for three days.
While in the emergency room, she was extremely tired and barely responsive. Her heart rate and respiratory rate were higher than normal, and her blood pressure was significantly low. Her entire abdomen was tender upon examination, and her bowel sounds were more active than normal. She was severely dehydrated her mouth and her skin were very dry.
Her blood work showed an elevated white-cell count, which is an indication of a possible infection. The results also showed her kidney function was reduced because of severe dehydration.
We immediately placed her on IV fluids and antibiotics and took stool and blood samples, as we thought she may have an infection. After a few hours, her blood pressure and mental state started to improve, and she was able to tell me she was a mother of two with no known prior health issues.
But the results of her stool studies would yield a different diagnosis.
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What Is The Most Common Location For A Tooth Root Abscess In Cats
Any tooth can fracture however, the large upper and lower canine teeth, followed by the upper fourth premolars, are the most commonly fractured teeth. As a result, it is these teeth that are most likely to develop a tooth root abscess. The maxillary fourth premolars in conjunction with the lower first molars are known as the carnassial teeth. When it is one of these teeth that become infected, it is referred to as a carnassial tooth abscess.
When a tooth fractures, exposing the interior soft tissue , the ensuing infection is severe and painful.
How To Cure A Tooth Infection
If you have signs and symptoms of a tooth infection, it is important to call your dentist as soon as possible. Dentists can help in a few ways, but remember that this infection will not go away on its own- treatment is necessary.
If you notice the symptoms go away, and you are no longer in pain, this does not mean the infection is gone. An infection can eventually kill the nerves that cause pain in your tooth, meaning you wont feel it anymore. The infection is still present and can potentially spread to your body and damage the surrounding teeth and your gums.
- A dentist or endodontist can perform a root canal, which is a procedure in which the infected pulp in your teeth is removed to prevent further infection.
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Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection
Common symptoms of an infected tooth include:
- Throbbing, severe pain in the tooth
- Throbbing, severe pain in the jaw
- Tooth sensitivity
Summary
Tooth infections can spread, potentially causing life-threatening infections in other areas of your body. Severe pain and flu-like symptoms are common signs of spreading.
What Risk Factors Can Lead To Complications From An Abscess
There are several risk factors that can increase your chances of having complications from a dental abscess, including:
- It can potentially take several months for a dental abscess to develop.
- Once an abscess has formed, noticeable pain and swelling around the affected tooth usually occur.
- If left untreated, it may take a few more weeks or months for the infection to spread to other tissues and cause complications. However, once this has happened, death can occur quickly.
- Factors like older age, having diabetes, or being immunocompromised can increase your risk of complications from a dental abscess.
Overall, these facts underline the importance of seeking prompt medical care if youre experiencing persistent pain or swelling around a tooth. When treated early, most tooth infections can be resolved without serious complications.
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Signs Of Tooth Infection Spreading To Body
To understand what a tooth infection feels like and how to recognize when it is starting to spread throughout the body, you should be aware of the general symptoms that you will first encounter. A tooth infection may be mild and not very painful, or the symptoms may be severe. Either way, it is important to get in touch with your local dental professional if you have any of the following:
- Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, especially food and drinks
- Pain that radiates from the tooth outward
- Swelling in the cheeks or gums
- Constant bad breath
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Pressure or pain when biting down
These symptoms indicate an underlying oral health issue. Get in touch with your dentist so you can wipe out any signs of infection before it spreads.
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If your childs illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.
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Antibiotics For Tooth Abscess Complication
A deep neck infection is a dangerous complication of tooth infection when it spreads into the space between neck muscles. An abscess forms inside the neck. The abscess may swell and block breathing or swallowing.
Deep neck infections are treated in the hospital with an intravenous antibiotic along with opening the space in the neck to drain the abscess. For this type of infection, the best antibiotic may be amoxicillin with clavulanate through an IV.
The antibiotic for a deep neck infection may change if a lab culture shows that bacteria are more sensitive to another antibiotic .
Signs That A Tooth Infection Is Spreading
Dental infections are no fun at all, and without proper treatment, the infection in the tooth can spread to other parts of your body. This can lead to serious complications, and may be life threatening. Your mouth is full of bacteria from food that you eat, and from saliva and plaque. This bacteria can enter into your tooth and result in an abscessed tooth. The tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms inside your tooth or gums. The good news is that tooth infections or abscessed tooth are easily treatable. Just as long as you do not delay treatment. Read further as we discuss signs that a tooth infection is spreading, and the complications that may arise if you do not get prompt dental attention.
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