Breath that smells like acetone in your dog or cat. A bad breath can have different causes. Most commonly it's dental problems or diabetes. In both cases it is advised to consult a veterinarian or a dental specialist to determine the cause of the bad breath. To check for dental problems, it is advised to check your cat or dog's gums, as they are a good indicator for dental problems. It is important to look for color differences.
How to Recognize
Your pet's breath may smell like nail polish (acetone is the same chemical found in nail polish).
Causes of Breath With Acetone Like Smell
The most common cause of acetone-like breath is Diabetes. Other diseases or factors as simple as stress may also be the cause.
Diagnosis
Acetone breath is caused by Ketones. There are an increased number of Ketones in the body when fat, rather than glucose, is broken down and used as the energy source.
Treatment for Breath With Acetone Like Smell
Bring your pet to the veterinarian if you smell acetone on their breath. If your pet is suffering from Diabetes, your veterinarian will be able to provide your pet with the proper medication (most likely insulin) to keep your pet's blood sugar in check. If your pet is suffering from Diabetes, you may also need to make some lifestyle changes for your pet, such as increasing their daily amount of exercise and ensuring a healthy diet.
Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.