Jan 03 2009
How Do I Check My Dog’s Gums?
Learn How to Check a Dog’s Gums
“What Does it Mean if My Dog’s Gums are Pale?”
”How Do a Dog’s Gums Look Normally?”
”Why Does My Dog Have Dark Patches on His Lips and Tongue? What Does This Mean?”
A dog’s gums are a very accurate indicator of a dog’s overall health and they’re one of the first things you’ll want to look at if you think your dog may be sick.
Begin by lifting the dog’s lip and examine the gums, preferably while in natural light. A normal dog will have pink gums that range in color from bubblegum pink to a darker salmon.
An unhealthy dog’s gums will look pale white, grey, yellow, blue or brick red. A healthy dog’s gums will also be slick to the touch. If the gums are sticky or dry, this indicates dehydration – a serious problem that can lead to organ failure and death.
What Does it Mean if My Dog’s Gums are Pale, Discolored or Dry?
Gum abnormalities in dogs can be indicative of several problems.
* A Dog With Pale Gums - Pale gums indicate two basic things. A dog with pale gums may have a lack of red blood cells that can result from anemia, which is often a symptom of a larger problem or illness. A dog with decreased blood flow will also have pale gums. This can result from internal bleeding, low blood pressure and other potentially deadly problems.
* A Dog With Brick Red Gums - Brick red gums are indicative of an abundance of red blood cells and increased circulation. This can occur as the blood thickens as a result of dehydration and heat stroke.
* A Dog With Blue Gums - Blue gums indicate a lack of oxygen in the blood, a condition called cyanosis. A dog with blue gums is cyanotic, which means he may be suffering from a lung disease or condition that creates hypoxia - improper oxygenation of blood or a lack of oxygen. A dog who is choking or who has an object obstructing his airway will also become cyanotic, with blue gums.
* A Dog With Yellow Gums - Yellow gums indicate jaundice, a condition that occurs when an excess of bilirubin accumulates in the blood. The whites of the eyes also turn yellow in a dog with jaundice. Jaundice in dogs most commonly occurs as a result of liver failure or a blockage of bile ducts.
* A Dog With Dry Gums - A dog’s gums should normally be slick and wet to the touch. If the dog’s gums are dry and sticky, this indicates dehydration. A dog with dehydration is suffering from a lack of fluids in the body. For more information on dehydration in dogs, read Is My Dog Dehydrated?
It’s also important to note that many dogs will have patches of darker skin pigmentation on the gums and tongue. These darker patches of skin pigmentation are completely normal in most cases. These patches of darker skin should not be mistaken for discoloration that can occur as a result of canine gum disease. So if the dog has swelling, discoloration, bleeding and redness of the gums, particularly surrounding the teeth, then this is going to be indicative of a dog with gum disease - a condition that requires prompt veterinary treatment.
Another hint: Avoid checking a dog’s gums right after he wakes up; the dog’s gums will appear abnormally pale as a result of slowed circulation due to sleep.
Still wondering if your dog could be sick? Check out Is My Dog Sick? along with Why is My Pet Lethargic? and Why Won’t My Cat Eat?
