Dental abscesses, commonly known as phlegmons, are accumulations of pus at the level of the gums that originate as a result of bacterial infections. Its appearance is usually associated with severe pain in the oral cavity, which causes decreased appetite or even complete anorexia in dogs that suffer from it.
Do you want to know more about phlegmon in dogs? If so, don't miss the next article on our site where we will talk about your treatment and causes.
What is a phlegmon in dogs?
A phlegmon, or what is the same, a dental abscess, is a accumulation of pus at the level of the gum that is occurs as a result of a bacterial infection.
The appearance of an abscess or phlegmon is always the result of the existence of an untreated dental disease Therefore, it is essential to review periodically the oral cavity of dogs to detect any alteration and thus avoid this type of complications.
Symptoms of a phlegmon in dogs
The appearance of a dental abscess in dogs usually presents with the following symptoms:
- Lack of appetite or anorexia due to pain in the oral cavity. Some dogs refuse to eat dry or hard food and tolerate only soft and wet food.
- Facial swelling or around the eyes.
- Swollen lymph nodes Regional.
- Fever.
- Sialorrhea: excessive drooling.
- Halitosis.
It should be mentioned that, in severe cases or in the absence of treatment, the bacteria that cause oral infection can reach the bloodstream and, from there, trigger secondary infections in other organs In these cases, other symptoms may be observed concurrently depending on the affected organ or tissue.
Causes of phlegmon in dogs
The origin of phlegmons or dental abscesses is always bacterial. The most common causes that can lead to a bacterial infection and, with it, to the formation of a phlegmon in dogs are:
- Periodontal disease: is an infectious disease caused by bacterial dental plaque. As it evolves, tartar is deposited on the teeth which, over time, ends up leading to chronic inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and the tissue surrounding the tooth (periodontitis).
- Dental fracture: due to trauma or chewing on very hard objects. When fractures are complete (they affect the entire dental structure and reach the pulp canal), pulpitis (inflammation of the pulp) can occur, followed by the formation of a dental abscess.
- Caries: Occurs when microorganisms in the mouth ferment carbohydrates in the diet. Although it is a rare disease in the canine species, it should be taken into account since some dogs can suffer from it.
Therefore, we can say that the appearance of a phlegmon or dental abscess is always the result of the existence of an untreated dental disease.
Diagnosis of phlegmon in dogs
The diagnosis of phlegmon in dogs is fundamentally based on two points:
- Examination of the oral cavity: It is often necessary to sedate the animal for a more thorough examination of the oral cavity.
- Oral x-rays: to detect the condition of the teeth affected by the abscess.
Treatment for phlegmon in dogs
Once we have explained what a dental abscess in dogs consists of, we need to address how to cure a phlegmon in dogs. The treatment of dental abscesses is based on:
- Administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
- The opening of the abscess to drain the purulent material and clean the affected area.
Of course, the antibiotic for the infection in the dog's mouth must be prescribed by the veterinarian. On the other hand, in addition to treating the abscess itself, it is necessary to establish a treatment for the pathology that caused it. In this sense:
- In case of periodontal disease: wet food and sweet foods should be eliminated from the diet, and dental treatment can be performed (such as splinting of mobile teeth, extraction of irreversible teeth, elimination of periodontal pockets, etc.)
- In case of dental fracture: in most cases it is usually necessary to extract the fractured piece, although in dogs that need conserving all the dental pieces (such as show dogs) it is possible to carry out an endodontics and reconstruction of the tooth.
- In case of dental caries: it may be enough to perform a root canal, although in advanced cases, it may be necessary to extract the part or parts affected.
As you can see, to reduce inflammation in a dog's gums, it is first necessary to find the cause that has caused the development of the phlegmon. Therefore, it is very important to go to the veterinary center.
Prevention of phlegmon in dogs
As we have already explained, phlegmons or dental abscesses appear as a consequence of untreated dental pathologies. Bearing this in mind, we can guess that the appearance of phlegmons can be easily avoided by preventing this type of disease.
Specifically, the measures that must be taken into account to prevent the appearance of phlegmon in dogs, or dental abscesses, are:
- Brushing teeth: from the permanent dentition (at 7-8 months of age) the development of dental plaque through proper tooth brushing. To do this, you should use toothbrushes and special toothpaste for dogs and clean every 2-3 days.
- Chewable snacks: these types of products help prevent the onset of periodontal disease.
- Mouth cleaning: in animals that have a special tendency to tartar accumulation, it may be convenient to perform a mouth cleaning every 1-2 years.
- Avoid hard objects: dogs should be prevented from biting or playing with very hard objects (such as stones or the like), which could be the cause of dental fractures.
