Pale Pink or White Gums: If a lack of blood or hemoglobin is present in a dog, then the gums may be pale pink or even white. This is most often a sign of anemia or acute blood loss. 2 Many underlying diseases can cause anemia, and trauma can result in severe, acute blood loss.
More blood vessels appear through the lip skin because the lip skin has very less melanin (natural skin pigment). This is the reason why your lip appears pink in colour. There are no sweat glands and hair follicles on the lips. Normal skin contains cells known as melanocytes, which produce melanin.
The weather: The most common reason a dog’s nose loses its pigment is called winter nose or snow nose. Some dog’s noses change colors from a dark color to pink in cold weather; turning dark once again when the weather gets warmer.
The most common nose/lip colors, from least to most melanin, are Isabella (dusty), liver (brown), blue (grey) and black. Genetics are fickle and inconsistent, though, which explains why some dogs have spotted noses and lips. Dogs with darker noses and lips have better natural protection from the sun than their peers.
Symptoms of Kidney Failure in Dogs
Nausea and vomiting. Pale gums. Loss of balance, or stumbling. Chemical smell to breath.
Dogs with severe heart disease have more trouble breathing when lying down, and will often sit or stand for long periods of time. Fatigue, Inability to Exercise – Dogs with heart disease will tire out more quickly on walks and during exercise. They may sleep or rest more than usual.
Red, inflamed, or dry lips may occur as a result of an allergic reaction to ingredients present in cosmetics and oral hygiene products. Some possible irritants include: lipsticks. leather.
Hyperpigmentation of the skin is also a common sign, and some people develop dark gray or brown patches on the skin and lips. This is a benign skin condition that involves the oral cavity, mainly the lower lip. It causes brown or black macules on the lips that can range from 1 to 5 millimeters in size.
Acrofacial vitiligo is the condition that causes depigmentation around fingers, vitiligo on lips, and the periorificial regions [meaning inside of the mouth, chin, eyelids, nostrils, and upper lips]. Mucosal Leucoderma occurs only in the mucous membranes.
Dog’s Lips Can Change Color
The most common cause of a dog’s black lips turning pink is seasonal changes. If there is not as much sunlight, your dog may not produce as much melanin, which affects his skin pigmentation.
Saliva staining develops when an area of fur is constantly licked, chewed or nibbled, causing it to turn red, pink, brown or orange. It usually indicates an underlying problem such as: Allergic skin disease/skin allergies (very common) Parasites.
Affected breeds include the dachshund, Doberman pinscher, golden retriever, Belgian Tervuren, Irish setter, Old English sheepdog, Rottweiler, Australian shepherd, Shetland sheepdog, Samoyed, Saint Bernard and Siberian husky.
Canine oral papillomas, also known as oral warts, are small, benign tumors of the mouth caused by the papilloma virus. They are found on the lips, gums, mouth, and rarely can also be located on other mucous membranes. Causes of papilloma virus in dogs.
Contact lens solution can be used to clean around the eyes—not in the eyes! The boric acid in the contact lens solution oxidizes the iron in the porphyrins and may lighten the staining. After washing the face, always dry the area with a clean towel to prevent ulcerative dermatitis secondary to wet skin.
Symptoms- Sneezing.
Runny nose.
Itchy, red or watery eyes.
Nasal congestion.
Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat.
Postnasal drip.
Cough.
Facial pressure and pain.
A dying dog will lie in one spot and not even move to relieve themselves. They may have diarrhea. This is another one of the signs that a dog is dying. It’s a signal that your dog’s internal organs are shutting down.
After approximately 2/3 of the kidney tissue is destroyed, there is a rapid rise in waste products in the bloodstream and an apparent sudden onset of severe disease. The clinical signs of more advanced kidney failure include loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, and very bad breath.
difficult/painful urination. frequent urination of small volumes of urine. inappropriate urination (particularly noticeable in dogs that have previously been well house trained) slow, uncomfortable urination.
Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs- Coughing.
Constant panting.
Struggling to breathe.
Breathing at a fast rate, especially when in a resting state.
Reluctance or refusal to exercise.
Getting tired more easily on walks or during play.
Fatigue.
Blue-tinged gums.
Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen.
Stage 4: CHF is in its final stage. Breathing becomes difficult even when at rest. Fluid can accumulate in various parts of the body, causing swollen legs or belly, making it difficult to walk. It can even cause vomiting.
What does it look like? Solar cheilitis predominantly affects the lower lip because it tends to be more prominent. The homogenous pink color of the healthy lip (Figure A) is replaced with non-homogenous white/gray, pink, red, or brown areas and the normally sharp vermillion/skin border becomes less distinct (Figure B).
Infectious causes of mouth redness- Bacterial infections.
Candida (fungal infections)
Gingivitis (infection of the gums)
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD)
Herpes simplex.
Other viral infections.
In renal and liver failure, lip swelling is usually isolated, discrete and less severe. It is difficult to diagnose without a comprehensive physical examination. Lip enlargement in these cases requires causative treatment.
Laser treatments and chemicals such as hydroquinone and kojic acid are often used to treat lip hyperpigmentation. Many hyperpigmentation treatments work by inhibiting an enzyme that produces melanin. You might, however, find a natural lip lightener that suits your needs.