My dog's tongue hangs out and gets dirty. How do I keep it clean?

I usually recommend that dogs with excess tartar/rotten teeth have a dental procedure done at the vet. A dental will allow the vet to get most of the tartar off of his teeth with a water scaler and then polish them (just like they do for people). After a dental it is good to maintain clean teeth by brushing your dogs teeth at least once a week to prevent tartar build up. It is a good idea to put him on antibiotics for 5-7 days after the dental as well. The betadin gargles should be ok for him to drink at that dosage. If he starts to behave abnormally, stop the gargles. Ask your vet if they do dental procedures. If not, call around to diff vet clinics to see who does. Hope this has helped.

Depending on which teeth and how many are removed it is not uncommon for some dogs to not be able to keep their tongue in after extractions. This can also be a nervous behavior or a sign of nausea. It is unlikely neurological if there are no other signs such as difficulty swallowing or blinking or any changes in facial symmetry

You can gently clean the area with a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution once or twice daily. Dry thoroughly afterwards. Place an e-collar (cone) on Milly to prevent scratching or rubbing. If the spot doesn't begin to resolve in a few days. Have her physically examined by your veterinarian. She may need systemic antibiotics. A biopsy may also be recommended to rule out malignancy or autoimmune disorders.

He has a very short snout, so this may be because his tongue is too long and there is not enough space for his tongue inside the mouth. This is very likely, especially if he can freely move his tongue. If his tongue appears paralysed you need to take him to your veterinarian for an exam to find out why. There could be various reasons for this.

Poor girl. Since this area is around her mouth, it is best to only use dog formulated products that are safe to be ingested. Any oral rinse containging Chlorhexidine solution from your local pet store can be used on Rosie until she can be seen. This will help to antiseptically flush out her mouth and any surrounding infected areas. I hope that your furry friend feels better soon! Best wishes and take care.

Hi and thank you for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sight unseen, it is hard to say exactly what the cause of the tongue issue may be, but I certainly provide a few possibilities. Dogs will stick out their tongues or lick their lips with their tongues when they are nauseous. Other times, it can signal a dental infection, periodontal disease or other oral infection. A foreign body like a pieces of twine or twig could be stuck in between his teeth or gums. Lastly, dogs stick their tongues out and report to "lick the air" can be a self soothing behavior- it would be like us tapping our feet or clicking a pen. An exam from your primary care veterinarian can help rule out most of the above possibilities. I would encourage you to take Jack in when you can. Best of luck to you and Jack!

It should be fine to use any dog tooth paste but every pet is different so just watch to make sure it doesn't get worse. Just make sure to use the appropriate amount and not be excessive. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.