A dark red, purple, or blue-tinged tongue could be a sign of heatstroke, toxin exposure, heart/lung disease, or electrical shock. A pale pink-to-white tongue could be a sign of severe anemia due to immune mediated disease, or internal bleeding.
If your dog has a pale or white tongue, this generally points to something blood-related. They may be anemic or have internal bleeding. It can also be a sign of leukemia, which is a cancer in the blood and bone marrow.
The normal color of a healthy tongue should be a deep pink. When hot, the tongue will normally be red due to the heat that is being released from the vessels, so the best time to look at your dog's tongue is when he's at rest. The younger the animal, the pinker the color, due to his vitality.
Healthy dog tongues are usually pink, with the exception of breeds with black- or blue-spotted tongues. Even in a pink-tongued dog, black-pigmented areas on the tongue or gums are common. Lesions, blisters, or broken skin on the tongue or mouth should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Discoloration of the tongue and gums can be a sign of infection and should be discussed with your vet immediately. A sudden appearance of this syndrome combined with odd behavior could be a sign of neurological problems.
Sometimes, the color of a dog's gums and tongue can be a telltale sign of a dehydrated dog as well. If the gums and tongue are pale, it can be a sign that your dog needs some much-needed water. If the gums and tongue are pink, the dog is okay, but if they are dark red-pink, it can also be due to dehydration.
The colour of healthy dog gums varies from dog to dog, but they should generally be a bubble-gum pink or salmon colour. Some dogs have naturally mottled gums which isn't anything to worry about. However, if your dog's gum colour has changed this could be a sign of something more serious.
Macroglossia is a very rare condition in dogs. This is often characterized by an abnormally large tongue that may have reduced range of motion and cause breathing difficulties.
Spatulate tongue, which means when a dog's tongue is wider at the end, can be a sign of tension, nervousness, or stress. This is especially the case when the spatulate tongue is paired with facial tension, along with agitated movement and a nervous look in the eyes.
Healthy Gums
Healthy dog gums should be firm, and can range in color from pink to black. Some dog gums are spotted, which is also normal. Healthy gums are never swollen or discolored. Puffy red or white sections on the gums are signs of periodontal disease.
Think of a color range on a scale of one to seven; one being plum, seven being pinkish white. Five and a half would be perfect pink! The dark plum, indicates that the dog is in stress. Not enough oxygen is being circulated throughout the body as demonstrated by the color of the tissues in the tongue extremity.
For most breeds, a pink tongue indicates good health while purple, red, yellow, black, and/or a pale tongue is a sign of an underlying/undetected health issue. Medical conditions like Glossitis, Stomatitis, Cancer, oral lacerations can all cause tongue discoloration in dogs.
What color should my dog's tongue be? A dog's tongue should be a healthy pink, never pale. Some dogs have pigment in their gums and mouth that may lead to a black spot on their tongue. Of course, some dog breeds, like chows, are famous for their purple or black tongues.
A sick dog's gum coloring could be blue, black, pale white, or bright red. Dog gums that aren't pink can indicate problems ranging from gum disease to congestive heart failure.
An oversized tongue that's always sticking out may be the most obvious and common macroglossia symptom. Other symptoms are: Noisy, high-pitched breathing (stridor).
Inflammation of the tongue is called glossitis. It may be due to infection, irritation, wounds, disease, chemicals, or other causes such as electrical burns or insect stings. A thread, string, or other foreign object may get caught under the tongue.
Common examples of true macroglossia are vascular malformations, muscular enlargement and tumors; whilst Down syndrome is an example of relative macroglossia.
A dark red, purple, or blue-tinged tongue could be a sign of heatstroke, toxin exposure, heart/lung disease, or electrical shock. A pale pink-to-white tongue could be a sign of severe anemia due to immune mediated disease, or internal bleeding.
The clinical signs of more advanced kidney failure include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and very bad breath. Occasionally, ulcers will be found in the mouth.
Hypoadrenocorticism is an uncommon disease in dogs, and it is caused by a deficiency of essential hormones that are made by the adrenal glands. Also known as Addison's disease, the clinical signs may appear as vague signs of illness that come and go.
The most easily located lymph nodes on a dog's body are the mandibular lymph nodes (under the jaw) and the popliteal lymph nodes (behind the knee). Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, weight loss, swelling of the face or legs (edema), and occasionally increased thirst and urination.
Common leukemia signs and symptoms include: Fever or chills. Persistent fatigue, weakness. Frequent or severe infections.