9 y/o Female Golden with mysterious oral inflammation

Thanks for reaching out with your concern about your Golden Retriever's oral inflammation. Oral inflammation in dogs, especially as they age, can be caused by a variety of issues. Common causes include dental disease, which might involve tartar buildup or gum infection, and foreign objects lodged in the mouth, like a stick or piece of toy. Other possibilities could be an allergic reaction or a systemic condition affecting her entire body.



At home, you can carefully examine her mouth, if she’s comfortable with it, to check for any obvious signs like redness, swelling, or foreign objects. Offer her soft foods and keep her water intake consistent. If she seems to be in pain, shy away from providing any human medications unless advised by a vet, as they can be harmful to dogs.



Watch for signs of a more serious issue, such as excessive drooling, bleeding, a noticeable foul odor from her mouth, or difficulty eating and swallowing. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition that needs veterinary attention, like an abscess or more widespread infection.



I recommend scheduling a video consult with one of our Dial A Vet professionals. Our veterinarians can help pinpoint the cause of her distress and provide guidance on the next best steps.