Old Dog bad breath

I have a very old dog, she is 16.5 years old. She still eats every day, comes around for treats with the rest of the dogs.
She goes outside to do her business and only has an accident when she isn't let out. She is pretty bright and alert.
Problem is she pants a lot, especially at night but eventually she stops and goes to sleep. Her breath smells horrible.
She is too old to have her teeth cleaned. Her weight is good so I don't think it is her organs. If it is her teeth, she would not be able to eat. She is still chewing treats and dry food (she gets a lamb and sweet potato). Any suggestion would be helpful. I think it is from the panting.

[ginger899]

It probably is the teeth....or gum disease. It doesn't always figure that they won't eat if their teeth are bad. Dogs are notoriously stoic. A flaming abscess might stop them munching, but a chronic sore gums situation they could get used to, and eat anyway.
It sounds like she's holding her own, keeping going in her own way, and not doing so bad. It's great that she's got to 16 1/2 years and still not doing so bad in life.
But I can't really suggest anything helpful. A tooth cleaning would be the answer probably -but I totally understand she might not be up to it. It's the anesthetic which might stress her too much, I guess.
You could try brushing her teeth gently with a proper dog toothpaste. You can most likely buy one at the vet's. It won't get to the root of the problem, but might help a bit. You could do this every day if her breath is terrible. Or 4 times a week.

[TwoBitsMom]

16.5 years young...!  She is a lucky dog....Especially if the only thing wrong with her is bad breath...!
Chances are, it could just be her teeth, but....My Yorkie..( 15 years ) had very bad breath...and was acting normal. Eating normal. She would have an occassional accident in the house and needed to get out more often at night....it turned out to be Kidney Failure.  
Now don't panic...I'm not saying your dog has kidney failure just because she has bad breath...But the panting and the smell of her breath, could be due to toxins building up in her system.
I had another dog...who panted alot...especially at night...and we found out she had heart and lung problems...She would pant and try to get comfortable...she would finally fall asleep, but before long, she would sit up very quickly... and start panting again... she could not lay on her side, and could only lay on her stomach. It was due to the fluids building up in her lungs and heart.
Excessive panting can also be a sign of Cushings Disease.
Since your dog is 16 plus years....I would suggest you bring her in to get bloodwork done...and get a good physical exam...check heart and lung sounds...and of course...an oral exam.  
It is amazing what they can find out by a simple blood draw.
I hope the bloodwork turns out fine, and they will just find bad breath...!
Hats off to the wonderful job you have done with your dog...Part of the reason she is 16 plus, is because of the care you have given her.
God Bless you both....Connie

[marksme]

I wish Jack would had you in his corner. To have a Yorkie live 15 years is just amazing. Jack had health problems starting with Liver Shunt and died suddenly 10-27-11. He was only 4 and I know tried to tell me, even though he was taking medication, but I became complacent when he needed me most to get him to the Vet, but I was too late.

[TwoBitsMom]

Mark....I sent you a message....Look for it in your Profile page.

[heartstone515]

I discussed Lilly with my vet and he suggested putting her on an antibiotic. She is almost done with it and her breath no longer smells. He said she may have to take a round every so often, but it worked. Yesterday she walked down the hill to the horse barn . I about freaked because I didn't know how I was going to get her back up. I turned around and she somehow climbed back up the stairs and was sitting in the kitchen. We have renamed her Benjimina Button! I only have to use the "Lilly Lifter" (pillow case) every so often to help her get up. We have concrete floors and they are hard to get footing. Thank you for your suggestions everyone. Lilly is a blue Healer. She weighs about 60+ pounds.

[TwoBitsMom]

Hooray for Lily....( I mean Benjamin Button )....!  So happy all that is wrong with her was the bad breath...!  Happy Thanksgiving...!
Connie