Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Dogs > 4 Shitsu dogs have suddently lost front teeth

4 Shitsu dogs have suddently lost front teeth

19 11:25:06

Question
My 7 t 8 year old shitsu's, mother and 3 puppies - Suddently I noticed the front lower gums, black, and teeth are missing on all four.  They are inside only dogs, my children.  I had them on Iam's for years until China crisis, then natural dog food from feed store "Diamond". I lost my 12 year old male about the time of the China episode and noticed before putting him (and myself) down, that his gums were all black, shrunk.  This happened quite quickly for I had never seen this in any of my shitsu's who lived 15 plus years.  Now all five, and what happened to front teeth (lower, missing 1 to 4 before I investigated what I was seeing)  Could this be a "mold problem".  House was caught in hurricane, family home, and I have no choice but to stay here.  Family member in charge failed to keep insurance as trust intrusted.  Mold, or the food are the only problems I can see, other than eating their waste, which I have seen them do (a new and learning thing)..

Answer
It could be some sort of oral bacterial infection that has spread to all of them; I assume they drink out from the same water source.

Take them to the vet to see if he can determine the problem. Possibly an antibiotic will prevent them from losing any more teeth. Don't forget to mention the condition of the dog you lost a few months ago.

Since they are eating stools, it wouldn't hurt to take in a composite stool sample for examination either in case they need to be wormed.