Dog Bad Breath: What to do Besides Brushing

It becomes painfully obvious how spatially unaware dogs are when your “best friend” gets up close and personal, panting in your face with dog bad breath. It’s got a unique aroma all it’s own and in some cases, all the brushing in the world won’t get rid of it. What’s a pet owner to do?

Most of the time we think the odor is emanating from the mouth. But the dog bad breath that seems to never go away is the type that can originate in the gut, lungs, throat or stomach. Even the best toothbrush won’t solve issues this deep.

Most of our dogs get bad breath from tartar and plaque build-up, most often caused by using a lower quality food or allowing your dog to eat off your plate or table scraps too often. Not all dogs are accepting of a toothbrush in the mouth, which means the owner is less likely to brush on a regular basis. If left untreated, this tartar and plaque build-up can get into the gums and cause some serious problems.

Brushing isn’t the only way to keep teeth and gums healthy. Several pet care companies offer dental products that are good at keeping the build-up to a minimum, and your dog probably sees these products as a treat. Dental bones, as most companies label them, not only clean the teeth, they also provide some vital nutrients to keep your dog healthy. Some dental treatments can be a bit harsh on dogs with sensitive stomachs, so be sure to consult with your veterinarian if you’re new to the dental bone market.

Rawhide bones are also an effective means of keeping your dog bad breath from waking you up at night. A common warning with these rawhide bones is that if swallowed in too large of pieces, it can block your dog’s digestive tract, which can be deadly. It’s best to only allow your dog to enjoy the rawhide while under your supervision.

There are also sprays on the market now that will treat dog bad breath. Some of these treatments are made with all natural ingredients and some come in powder form. Read the ingredients carefully and give your vet a quick call to make sure what you’re putting in your dog’s mouth meets their standard for safety and good health.

Some dog bad breath is a clue to a serious health issue. Sweet or fruity-smelling breath is often a symptom of diabetes. If your dog smells like he’s just taken a gulp of urine, it’s possible that he/she is experiencing an issue with the kidneys. Liver disease often comes with a bit of vomiting, yellowing eyes and skin, and a particularly horrid case of dog bad breath.

ProLabs is one of the companies that veterinarians across the country have recommended for problems like dog bad breath. ProLabs has a line of veterinarian-quality products for many issues that affect your dog – from fleas to joint problems to bad breath.

Pain Management for Animals: What Ten Years Has Taught Us

Guest Post for ProLabs Pets by Dr. Joel the PetVet

While the issues of pain and pain management have always been a mainstay of concern for physicians and their patients, it wasn’t until 2003 and the organization of The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM), that any real focus was placed on promoting, enhancing and advancing pain management in animals. 

IVAPM is now a unique multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to advancing the field of pain management in animals. This multi-disciplinary organization actively works to gain and promote the knowledge related to the biology and clinical treatment of pain in animals. The Academy continues to seek to improve the standard of care for treating animals in pain by developing guidelines of care, providing continuing education, promoting humane and ethical research in animal pain and establishing credentialing of veterinary specialists in the area of animal pain management.

Mary Ellen Goldberg, BS, LVT, CVT, SRA, has been involved in veterinary medicine for over 33 years, and during that time, she has seen “pain management undergo a complete about face”. Intensely involved in analgesia work, Mary Ellen is currently the Executive Secretary and Co-editor of the IVAPM Newsletter and a member of the Examination Committee; she is a member of the American Academy of Pain Management (Human) and the American Society of Pain Educators.

Here is an excerpt, below, from remarkable review that Mary Ellen wrote for the IVAPM members:

“Pain management and osteoarthritis are not new topics, coexisting in discussions for decades. … When I look back on my ownership of pets, I can’t believe how I had certain signs and symptoms “staring me in the face”: As my dogs aged, I remember thinking they were old and stiff and accepted the conventional wisdom that this was a normal developmental process. I chastise myself now for not asking ‘Why’? Maybe because I, too, am now old and stiff, this has become a topic near and dear to my heart.

I attended a meeting for a newly introduced product, FLEX Rx, marketed by ProLabs^®Ltd., a subsidiary of AgriLabs^®Ltd. … FLEX Rx is a combination of catechin extracts from Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechua. With a unique mode of action that inhibits 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzymatic metabolism and evenly suppresses Cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2), it manages joint health without adverse effects. No other product on the market does both.

Osteoarthritis is sustained by the metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA). It is caused by injury or repetitive use and is not necessarily a disease caused by aging. AA inputs occur from damage to the joint and diets, particularly those containing corn. When AA can no longer synthesize through the COX route, it shunts to the 5-LOX pathway, inducing inflammatory leukotrienes.

FLEX Rx does not completely shut down COX-1 and COX-2 because there are certain benefits to these enzymes. FLEX Rx produces a balanced COX suppression, allowing the positive effects to occur while removing the negative ones. At the same time, FLEX Rx inhibits the negative effects of 5-LOX: pain and inflammation. It is the latter that causes the destruction of tissue.

Anybody who uses them is well aware of the problems that can occur from long term use of NSAIDS: gastric ulceration, peripheral edema, elevated systolic blood pressure (BP), renal insufficiency and hypertension with chronic COX-1 inhibition.

Here is the beauty of FLEX Rx:

• It has no side effects with fewer adverse effects than placebo in efficacy studies.
• It has been clinically proven to work faster than Cosequin DS (glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate).
• It can be safely combined with NSAIDS for a period of time; toxicology studies showed no resultant GI ulceration.

 FLEX Rx is a liver-flavored tablet that comes in a bottle of 60 chewable tablets. The active ingredients in FLEX Rx are currently available on the human market (Limbrel^TM) for “the clinical dietary management of the metabolic processes of osteoarthritis (OA).”

After attending the ProLabs meeting, I strongly recommend using FLEX Rx for joint health in dogs. FLEX Rx is available at your neighborhood or online retailer. For questions about using it for your dog contact: Joel Ehrenzweig, DVM at drjoel@prolabspets.com or 1-866-637-7716.

Dog Skin Problems: Annoying, But Avoidable

A dog that gets through an entire lifetime without developing some type of problem with their skin is indeed a rare dog. Dog skin problems have many causes, from allergies to parasites to harsh shampoos (human shampoo can cause severe irritation on canines).

Immune responses can cause flare-ups, from underactive to overactive responses. Demodectic mange and bacterial infections are common when the immune system doesn’t handle exposure to these triggers. Some dogs will inherit a chronic skin allergy, which is called canine atopy. Dogs that experience this issue will itch around their ears, feet, muzzle and eyes. Pollen from trees and grass can often trigger a reaction, as can mold and mites.

Some dogs will face autoimmune skin diseases such as pemphigus foliaceus, which presents as blisters on the skin, which form scab-like substances. It usually starts around the head, but can spread over the entire body. Hot spots are also common dog skin problems. Your veterinarian will likely refer to it as it’s official name – actue moist dermatitis. It presents as an irritation on one particularly area of the body. If not treated, it can develop into a staphylococcus infection.

Many dog skin problems can be avoided through proper bathing. This not only makes it easier for you to enjoy your dog’s company (Fido does get stinky) but it can prevent dog skin problems from developing into potential life-threatening diseases. Some owners have a tough time getting their pets into the tub at bath time. Every dog is different, so what works for one owner might not suffice for another, but here are a few tips to consider to get that reluctant pet sudsy.

If you’re not having luck with the garden hose, there is good reason for it – your dog doesn’t like be shot with cold water any more than you do. Consider taking your pet indoors to a non-slippery bathtub where you can bath him/her in warm water. Dogs don’t like hot bathes either, so be mindful of how hot you run the water. A slippery tub adds to the anxiety, so add a rubber mat. Many owners prefer a hand-held shower device over a bathtub full of water.

Entice your pet into the bathing area with treats – make the experience positive. They may never enjoy being soaked with water and shampoo, but taking their favorite toy and some delicious treats will offset the bad. Also, have towels handy, a brush for grooming and the proper shampoo made for canines.

In many cases, dog skin problems need more than the regular bath. ProLabs, a company dedicated to providing your dog with a better quality of life, designed Skin Soothe to heal and aid hot spots, itching, dermatitis, wounds and foot pad injuries among other issues. Unlike similar products out there, Skin Soothe is veterinarian quality.

Will a Canine Joint Supplement Work For Your Dog?

With one in five dogs developing some form of joint problem in their lifetimes, it’s likely that you’ll one day be looking for a supplement to ease your dog’s pain. Canine joint supplement use is becoming more and more common as pet owners seek out a solution to address the pain associated with swelling, tissue and cartilage loss.

There are several issues that dogs face that could cause joint pain, including osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia or injury. Once dogs develop a degenerative joint disease, the cushion of cartilage in their joints deteriorates and bone-on-bone contact occurs, which is painful. You’ll notice your dog becoming less active, avoiding stairs, having difficulty rising from a prone position. Some dogs will develop a strange gait or put more weight on their front legs than their back legs in an effort to ease the pain.

Your veterinarian can determine the cause of the symptoms you’re noticing in your pet and recommend a course of action. Some dog owners will take preventative steps early in the dog’s life by including a supplement to their diet, a supplement that includes glucosamine and chondroitin, both of which are proven to stave off arthritis.


Once arthritis or other joint pain causing ailments set in, most veterinarians will recommend canine joint supplement with Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), which is considered a proper ingredient in intermediate-level joint issues. But once the joint pain and condition become advanced, veterinarians recommend a canine joint supplement with hyaluronic acid as one of the ingredients. This type of acid makes the remaining cartilage more resilient and also helps to bolster tissues in the joint.

Supplements are proven to address joint pain in dogs, but there are other steps you can take to keep your dog’s joints in the best condition possible. Despite their reluctance to stay active, owners are advised to keep up the daily walks. Not all dogs with joint issues are able to or should be made to run, but moderate exercise keeps bones strong and also helps build muscle around the joints, which takes some of the pressure off.

Overweight dogs are also at a much higher risk for developing joint pain. Keeping your dog on the proper foods as it ages will help to deter weight gain, particularly sudden weight gain, which is a major contributor to joint pain.

ProLabs created a supplement that addresses the swelling, cartilage health and joint lubrication needs of canines. ProLab’s FLEX Rx is designed to affect specific metabolites in your dog, which will slow down joint deterioration. The product isn’t like other over-the-counter supplements and is actually around twice as effective as most other popular choices.

Hear This: Dog Ear Problems are Easily Treatable

Some canine health problems creep up silently, leaving you completely unaware of an issue until it’s almost too late. Cancer is one of these unfortunate issues that too many dog owners have had the misfortune of experiencing. But some ailments, many of them very commonly leading to a visit to the veterinarian, can be avoided. Otitus externa is one of these issues.

Otitus externa is the scientific name for an ear infection, generally manifesting as inflammation in the ear canal. This is a common problem because the ear canal of a dog is large, taking up a much larger percentage of the cranium than the canal of humans. There is plenty of surface area in a canine canal where parasites and bacteria gather, which can lead to infection, especially in dogs that get their ears wet or dogs whose ears aren’t cleaned regularly or thoroughly.

Bacteria and yeast are the culprits in many cases, though mites can also be an issue. Dogs that have ears that flap over the canal (which is the case in most canine breeds) offer an added assurance that humidity and moisture remain in the canal, an unfortunate physical attribute as this allows bacteria and yeast to thrive. And when allowed to thrive, the normally pink ear canal will become bumpy, swollen and red. In some cases a discharge will be noticeable. In other cases, such as when mites are present, there will be a darker, dirt-like material that presents itself in the canal.

Owners of terriers, poodles and other breeds that have hair in the ear canal know that such an anatomical attribute leads to more dog ear problems because these ears are more difficult to clean. Regardless, if you’re not checking your dogs ears at least twice a month, he/she is at greater risk for an infection, which can be painful if not extremely uncomfortable and irritating.

Vets report that the most common type of dog ear problems are caused by yeast infections, which leave the ear canal covered in a yellow or tan color. If your pet has this coloring in its ear and you’re brave enough to take a whiff, the yeast-infected ear will likely have a pungent odor. Most cases are easily handled with a topical medication that fights fungus.

The goal is to keep your dog happy and healthy, which means if you see it flapping it’s ears or pawing at them excessively, something is going on in their that needs attention. Dogs that shake their head/ears too vigorously are at risk of damaging the cartilage in their ears, which is likely as painful as internal dog ear problems.

ProLabs, a company committed to keeping your cats and dogs healthy, offers a product
called Clear Ear that keeps dogs clear of chronic health problems. The ear drops don’t stain, contain no antibiotics or steroids, wipes out itching and is safe for long-term use.

Dog Bad Breath – You Don’t Have to Grin and Bear It

Puppy breath has a unique quality that is enduring to most pet owners, but as dogs age, the breath turns into something less enduring. Halitosis, the name veterinarians refer to when the odor becomes an issue, is a result of bacteria that has built up around the dog’s teeth, inner mouth, lungs and gut. But it is an issue that can be treated successfully.

Bad breath is not always a symptom of bacteria. In some cases, the odor is an indication of other health issues that can be quite serious. A veterinarian can determine if it’s simple halitosis or something deeper and more serious than dog bad breath. The vet will need to know what your dog eats, how much it exercises, if its behavior has changed since the foul breath became noticeable. So, be prepared to answer these questions.

The distinctive odor of the breath can sometimes be an indication of what type of ailment your dog is facing. For instance, liver problems are often present with dogs that have yellowing eyes, rotten-smelling breath and a change in appetite. Dog bad breath that smells like fruit can be an indication of diabetes. If the dog bad breath smells like the dog has been drinking urine, it could indicate a problem in the kidneys.

Once the vet has determined the ailment associated with the dog bad breath, a treatment regimen can be assigned. Sometimes, it’s as simple as treating the plaque in your dog’s mouth. A cleaning can wipe out plaque and a change in diet with regular brushing can keep it from coming back. Some pet owners will brush their dog’s teeth daily. Others will take their pet into a professional for regular cleaning.

Not all dogs are keen to having you stick objects in their mouth and scrubbing their gums. The best advice is to approach your dog when it is very relaxed and at the same time of the day each time you do this. The brush you use should be designed for a dog’s mouth. Toothpaste is also formulated for canines – use it. Toothpaste made for humans can hurt your dog’s digestive tract.

Approach the dog from a sitting position and never force the brushing. If your dog resists, work up slowly by touching its gums and maybe brushing the front teeth. The goal in brushing is to work up to two minutes of brush time with each session. Regular brushing has proven to not only address dog bad breath, but gum disease and other oral issues.

Other actions for better oral hygiene include giving the dog toys that are safe to chew, but hard enough to assist in cleaning the teeth. Many pet companies offer treats that are designed to cleanse the oral cavity and the teeth of your pet, keeping breath fresh and certainly non-offensive.

There are a variety of products on the market today designed by companies like ProLabs. Ask your veterinarian which products best suit your canine.

Caring for German Shepherd Hip Problems

In some areas of the world it’s known as the Alsatian Wolf Dog or the Alsatian. To Americans, we simply call it the German Shepherd.

It didn’t take long for this breed to develop an intense popularity after it was established around 1900. It’s an intelligent breed, dominant, protective and one of the most efficient working dogs in its class. But it also has some health problems that are common to German Shephers.

German Shepherd hip problems are notorious and unfortunate. But those who love the breed know that it’s just one of the unfortunate characteristics that piggyback on the great attributes of the breed. Hip dysplasia is far too often a problem in this breed.

While most working dogs have a fairly normal posture, the German Shepherds you see in dog shows have a lower profile in the hind legs that has led some to call the breed half frog. These show dogs are prone to German Shepherd hip problems more so than those with a more normal build. The practice of breeding them for this lower hip profile has become quite controversial.

Work dog or show dog, German Shepherd hip problems are the most consistent hereditary health issue with this breed. Dogs as young as 24 months will begin to show problems, generally those associated with pain in the hips. Some dogs will experience the same issues in their elbows. Responsible breeders are keeping their dogs with hip problems out of the breeding program in an effort to reduce the stigma associated with German Shepherd hip problems.

If you own a German Shepherd, you might try adding supplements to your dog’s diet. Omega 3 supplements, which are derived from fish oils, aid in better hip health. Flax seed and olive oils are also proving effective.

Just as important as supplements is exercise. Owners are cautioned to keep high-impact exercises out of the routine, but regular walks are definitely encouraged to help keep muscle tone at an optimum level. Conditioned muscles help take pressure off the failing joints, which reduces pain.

German Shepherd hip problems are not unique to that breed alone. Golden Retrievers and other purebred dogs are prone to hip dysplasia. Dogs that weigh more than 60 pounds are also at greater risk. Otterhounds, Neapolitan Mastiffs, St. Bernards, Bloodhounds, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Old English Sheepdogs and Newfoundlands are also breeds that see hip dysplasia issues.

Regardless of the breed or the size of the dog, ProLabs created a formula that ups the level of wellness in dogs by reducing the amount of pain they feel in their joints. FLEX Rx has performed well in clinical tests and is twice as effective as a leading competitor’s formula in relieving pain.

Soothing Joint Pain in Your Older Dog

With one-fifth of all adult dogs suffering from arthritis, there are a good number of pet owners familiar with the signs of joint pain. Some conditions affect young dogs, so it’s never too early to know what to look for to stay one step ahead of chronic joint pain problems.

Arthritis also goes by a couple of other names, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease. Regardless of the name, the pain is the same and many pet owners are looking for ways to give their dogs a better quality of life.

Some dogs are genetically cursed, so to speak, to grow into joint pain associated with arthritis, which is passed down through breeding. Some dogs were not properly exercised as puppies and developed some physical issues that wear down their joints, which also mimics joint pain associated with arthritis.

The tell tale signs of joint pain include slowness in getting up off the floor and into a sitting position or walking. Your pet might have a stiff gait as they first start walking after a nap or extended rest. Mostly, you’ll see that your pet is becoming less active. Many pet owners at first believe its just part of the aging process. A more likely possibility is that the dog is feeling pain while walking or running and chooses to remain motionless to avoid the pain.

The onset of arthritis and the joint pain associated with it can come on slowly and won’t grab your attention until quite late in the onset of the disease. Homes with stairs won’t slow down a healthy dog, but when arthritis begins to set in, dogs will avoid stairs at all costs because they are difficult and painful to negotiate. But there are steps you can take to keep your pet as happy as it can be as it progresses into chronic arthritis.

As always, the first step is to consult your veterinarian. They can determine how advanced the arthritis has become and what options you have in treating it. Not all joint pain symptoms are caused from arthritis. In some cases, it’s an injured ligament. In worse cases, it’s cancer. Many adult dogs become overweight, which is something that makes joint pain much worse. Putting your dog on a diet is a positive step toward taking away the pain.

Just because the dogs is in pain doesn’t mean it should remain on a comfortable cushion for the remainder of its years. Veterinarians actually prefer that the dog remain active, which keeps muscles strong and helps ease the wear and tear on joints.

Many companies are producing medications that ease the pain in the joints. ProLabs, offers FLEX Rx, which is made for dogs of all breeds and sizes and was made to maintain or improve the joint health of your pet. The proprietary ingredients ProLabs uses can ease the pain and bring some of the puppy back to your adult dog.

Happy Dog, Happy Owner: Dog Skin Care Checklist to Control Hot Spots

As the summer weather kicks into high-gear, it’s time to keep an eye on your dog’s skin, particularly for hot spots. Summertime brings more outside activities, which means your dog has a higher risk of exposure to fleas and to the various triggers that cause allergies – both of which are associated with hot spots.

Your vet will refer to hot spots as acute moist dermatitis. Pet owners need to look for areas on the skin where there are red, oozing infections that your pet is probably constantly scratching or licking due to the itchy nature of the infection. A fleabite has been known to be the catalyst for hot spots. What begins as a simple irritation becomes an oozing wound that should be treated as soon as owners find them.

Hot spots that aren’t treated expand into larger, more serious wounds. Some dogs will develop hot spots near their ears, which is a sign of an ear infection rather than a fleabite or allergic reaction. Hot spots located at the rear of the dog could be a reaction to an anal gland infection. Regardless of the cause (which should also be addressed for future prevention) hot spots need immediate attention because it doesn’t take long for the infection to become serious and for your pet to become miserable and moody.

While the care of a veterinarian is mandatory for dog skin care, there are some things you can do to make your dog as comfortable as possible until it gets into the vet’s office. Use a non-irritating soap to clean the affected area. The area needs to be rinsed of soap and dried, but be gentle as the wound is likely painful when touched. To give your veterinarian better access to the area he/she will be treating, clip the hair around the wound, making sure not to get any of it in the wound.

Your dog is likely to do further damage to the area by scratching it or licking/biting the wound. An Elizabethan collar can be of assistance if licking is an issue and booties or socks will be necessary if your dog is constantly scratching at the wound. Your vet should be looking for what caused the hot spot and give you ideas on how to prevent it from happening again and assist you in providing dog skin care options. Antibiotics are often introduced to speed recovery as are drying agents that can be applied directly to the wound.

ProLabs offers a full line of products to keep your dog’s health in order, from worm protector 2X to Tape Worm Tabs for dogs – dog skin care is a specialty of the company that strives to keep pets healthy or get them that way quickly with safe products. Skin Soothe is one product that aids in the healing of hot spots, minor wounds and many skin conditions.

Does Your Dog Have Joint Pain Symptoms

Regardless of how strong our bond is with our pets, the communication we share doesn’t extend to pointing to where the pain is. We notice behavioral changes that are often the warning sign that something is wrong and a visit to the veterinarian is in order.

But there are signs owners can look for when it comes to joint pain. Joint pain symptoms vary from dog to dog, but most will have trouble climbing stairs, limp, favor the front legs, have joint swelling, have difficulty sitting down or standing up, and some will appear to be stiff and slow when they begin walking.

If you notice that your dog recoils when being pet near its joints, this is a clear sign that it is experiencing pain in that area. Some joint pain symptoms are hard to catch because the condition the dog has might progress very slowly and the changed behavior progresses so slowly the owner doesn’t notice the change until the condition is full-blown.

Most dog owners have heard of hip dysplasia, especially owners of the larger breeds like German Shepards and Rottweilers, which are prone to the issue. Small dogs can also develop dysplasia, including the Pug, which has a higher probability of developing dysplasia than most other breeds large or small.

Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip socket has an abnormal formation, which doesn’t allow the ball to sit properly in the socket. This can cause the dog to be lame as well as in some degree of pain and discomfort. The condition is often genetic, but some injuries can lead to hip dysplasia. It is most often the rear joint(s) that become affected, which means the dog will likely put most of its weight on its front legs to compensate. This leads to over development of the muscles in the front and atrophy in the rear.

Arthritis in dogs is also an issue that commonly causes joint pain symptoms. This too can be genetic, but is often caused by obesity. Some dogs simply get poor nutrition, which means they’re not getting the correct amounts of glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate, both of which are supplements prescribed to dogs with joint pain symptoms.

Dogs with joint pain symptoms should still be exercised. Some dogs will only want to walk, and that’s fine. Others will have the energy and ability to run. Physical activity actually helps your dog build muscles, which assists joint health and overall health of your dog.

ProLabs, specializing in animalhealth products, has a product that improves joint health. FLEX Rx is made for dogs of all breeds and sizes. Our clients at ProLab say that where other products failed to show any imporovement in the health of their dog, FLEX
Rx worked as advertised – more than twice as effective as the lucosamine/chondroitin supplements most often prescribed.