In 1999, a bulldog named Matty became part of our family. We loved him, but we didn't pay close enough attention to the small ways his body was changing.  

For most of his life, everything felt steady. Then small things started to change. It started with a change in his breath. We didn't think much of it at the time, though we later learned that breath shifts are often one of the first signs of gingivitis. Then his chewing slowed. He'd pause before climbing onto the couch he had used countless times before. His walks got shorter, though his tail kept wagging. 

What we didn't know then is that those were the early markers of periodontal disease, and we hadn't yet realized how deeply oral inflammation can travel. Over time, it can lower their energy, stiffen their joints, and dull their skin and coat. 

By the time we connected those signs to what was actually happening, Matty had been quietly working through it for far longer than we ever realized. He never asked for help. Pets rarely do, they simply do their best to keep up.