If your puppy's nose and tongue feel warmer than usual, and he's had some slight diarrhea, he may have an infection in his system, caused by a viral or bacterial source. Yellow/orange tongue – If your dog may have liver, gallbladder or gastritis malfunction. Go NOW! What color is a healthy tongue color for a dog? White. I would take him to the ER today. She was 10, but in top shape. Dogs have more gram-negative bacteria in their mouths. Anemia and shock are two possibilities. Anemic dogs also have little stamina or energy, so they seem listless or tire more easily. Heat may mean inflammation, infection, or hyperactivity of the organ network. The appearance of the gums is very informative. It was just bad luck... and a broken heart for me. The cause is thought to be a change in the normal bacteria in the mouth after antibiotic treatment or use of products that contain bismuth such as Pepto-Bismol. Hypoxia, a problem with the dog’s lungs or with the air (if the air is too thin or is poisoned, for instance) causes the membranes to be bluish. But sleeping with mouth open and pauses in breathing may or show sleep disorders. My Brittany Spaniel is a 9 year old male who is very active and a healthy weight. The dog's tongue is one of the most important parts of its body. Still have questions? This is a condition which is genetic in some breeds having the “smooshed” face which causes their oral cavities to be too small to accommodate the tongue. Many underlying diseases can cause anemia, and trauma can result in severe, acute blood loss. He died in my arms as I carried him through the doorway of vets office! Anemia's Most Common Symptoms in Dogs. Cyanosis is another possible cause of tongue discoloration. Tongue Color: When the color becomes deeper — going from pale to scarlet to purple — it means that there is increasing heat in the body. This is due to the presence of dead cells on the tiny nodules of the tongue. But his tongue color is pale blueish-white to pinkish. Do a capillary refill test by pressing on the gums with your finger. When Spots on Your Dogs Tongue Aren’t Just Color. The amount they can sweat through their paws isn't really enough to cool off any entire doggy body. The technical name for this slime is biofilm. My 3-4 year old Cocker Spaniel female's tongue and gums are a very pale pink, almost a white color. 4. If you see your dog’s gums … The following are indications of the various problems associated with the different tongue colors: Pink - is the normal color of the tongue, except for naturally black-tongued dogs. If your dog's tongue turns pale or white, consult a vet … That's where the term sleep apnea comes from, and it's different to the normal causes of snoring. A black tongue is usually a harmless condition that can be caused by medications, smoking, poor oral hygiene, soft diet, or dry mouth. Bile salts are released into your stools by your liver, giving the stools a brown color. But here’s the rub: To spot the abnormal, you need to know what normal dog gums look like. Dogs do lick their wounds, and they rarely get infected. Take the time to regularly inspect your dog’s tongue looking for changes in texture, color, size, or bleeding. From anemia to heart failure, breathing difficulties to dehydration, the color of a dog’s gums can be the canine equivalent of a red flashing light alerting you to a problem. Licking other dogs' mouths is behavior that comes from early puppyhood, when puppies used to lick their mother's lips. If a Chow's tongue has a pink spot on it, does that mean it's not purebred? She acts kind of fine. The name of one genus of argentinid fish, Glossanodon, literally means 'tongue teeth'. 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