My senior dog has red tongue & bad breath. Is it time to say goodbye?

Although rare a respiratory crisis is possible which is very distressing for both patient and owner. Given the severity of his numerous conditions and his symptoms during sleep I would agree that yes, euthanasia is a valid consideration at this stage.

Poor Tango! It sounds like he has severe dental disease, which is painful for the dog in addition to causing bad breath. I would definitely recommend taking him to the vet for an exam as soon as possible, since he sounds quite uncomfortable. Many older dogs are able to have dental cleanings without any problems, if they are otherwise healthy - your veterinarian can help you decide is this would be safe for Tango or not. If it’s determined that anesthesia would be too risky for him, your veterinarian may be able to prescribe antibiotics and pain medication to help reduce the infection and make his mouth less painful.

Oh no, your poor dog! It sounds like she is in really bad shape physically. I would have her seen by a vet first thing in the morning to see if there are any treatments possible for her symptoms. If there aren't, it would be time to discuss letting her go peacefully. I know that's not something you want to hear, but it may be best for her given her symptoms. I recommend making a list of five things she loved to do, and if she's no longer doing at least two of them, then her quality of life has declined to a point where humane euthanasia should be considered. I work for a home euthanasia service, so if you'd like to discuss this further with me, I'd be happy to consult with you. Just click the "consult online" button under my answer. Otherwise, I hope this helps and you should take her into the vet in the morning.

This is a serious concern. Sonny likely also has lots of tartar on his teeth. The tartar as well as the area below the gum line is full of bacteria which are causing the severe gingivitis and the bad smell. The inflamed tissue will also facilitate that bacteria enter the blood stream and so can travel to the heart, causing heart disease, and to the kidneys causing kidney disease. This is also a highly painful process. The only way to remedy this is to have his teeth cleaned under anesthesia, removal of the tartar, cleaning below the gum line and removing any teeth that may be loose, infected or damaged. I suggest you schedule an appointment with your vet to assess the condition.

I am very concerned for Bonnie, as a senior, she is more likely to have an issue with her circulation - this could be heart disease or possibly a tumor affecting her inside. The pale tongue and gums worry me. Take her to see your vet as soon as you can. I hope they will find something that can be resolved for her.

Hello. You are probably right that the bad breath is not entirely from the teeth or oral cavity. Certainly other health conditions can contribute to Mitch's halitosis including gastrointestinal disease & renal disease. I would recommend an x-ray or his upper GI, including the esophagus to rule out a condition called megaesophagus, & then, of course, a CBC, serum chemistry, urinalysis & thyroid evaluation. This way, if something is found, proper treatment can be initiated immediately. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

A purple tongue is concerning for a lack of oxygen in the blood stream. You mentioned she is having trouble breathing as well! This sounds like it could be an emergency and I recommend to have Molly examined right away! Call ahead so they can be prepared for her. Try not to stress her in handling her and stay as calm as possible. Since she cannot talk and tell you what is happening, playing it safe is the best option. A sudden breathing problem can indicate a blood clot thrown into her lungs, a stroke or a heart attack. Any breathing problem is always worrisome and should be treated seriously. I hope this helps and that everything turns out for the best!