CANNE TONGUE COLOR AND SIGN OF ILLNESS

Adapted from
www.healthypets.in
Todays tips-Canine tongue color and sign of illness
Most dogs have pink tongues (Chow Chows have black tongues), making it fairly easy to check for symptoms of mouth disorders. While many mixed breed dogs have colored speckles on their tongues, black spots that were not previously there can be a sign of melanoma, a type of cancer. Lighter (often white) marks on your dog's tongue can indicate a reaction to a toxin or allergen - such as if your dog has been licking something some kind of chemical. A bluish tongue color in dogs can indicate a condition called cyanosis - which essentially means there is a shortage of oxygen in the blood. Cyanosis is usually noticeable in the gums and other mucous membranes and can be a symptom of a number of underlying causes, including heart disease, respiratory disease and exposure to a toxin. If your dog's tongue is bluish in color and you are sure that this is not due to eating anything that could transfer this color (also check toys for transferable dye) then I recommend a thorough veterinary examination to determine if the discoloration is due to cyanosis. The fact that you suggest your dog is often breathing heavily might suggest that he has a respiratory problem