If your furry friend has black lips and you find that they are turning pink, you might take it as normal but that is not the case. Pink discoloration on a dog’s lips indicates a health problem and should not be ignored.
The pink discoloration on a dog’s lips is caused by aging, lack of light, Discoid Lupus, vitiligo, cancer, Porphyrin, Cutaneous Lymphoma, Papollomas.
8 Causes of Pink Discoloration on Dogs’ Lips
Age
As your dog gets older, some color changes are to be expected. Because all of their melanin cells have not yet matured, puppies will have pink lips. Their lips may turn dark or black as they get older.
Pigment changes are also seen in older canines. As dogs get older, their pigmentation starts to fade. Your dog’s lips may turn pink as a result of this.
Lack Of Light
Your dog’s lips may have turned pink due to a lack of sunshine throughout the winter months. Your skin, like your dog’s, darkens as it is exposed to the sun.
Melanin’s work is to safeguard you and your dog from overexposure to the sun. The more sun you get, the more melanin your body requires. Melanin production diminishes when sun exposure decreases. Your dog’s lips may turn pink as a result of the lack of sun rays.
Discoid Lupus
Discoid lupus is an autoimmune disease that develops coin-shaped skin lesions. It can show up on the face, lips, or other body parts. Sun exposure usually makes the lesions worse.
The condition’s treatment focuses on alleviating the symptoms. Creams, both steroidal and non-steroidal, can be used.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a disease that makes your dog’s pigment to be lost. It can appear in spots in the hair or on the skin. It can cause your dog’s fur to become white in addition to turning his lips pink. It can turn the skin a very light pink or white color.
Melanin, the same pigment that gives your skin its color, is also responsible for the color of your dog’s skin and hair. Melanin is a pigment produced by some cells. When these cells die or are destroyed, vitiligo develops, causing your dog’s pigment to fade. The cause of vitiligo is unknown however, it is assumed to be inherited. Shepard’s, Retrievers, and other breeds are more susceptible to the disease
Cancer
Cancer is a condition that begins in one place of the body and gradually spreads across the entire body if it goes undetected. Sometimes pet owners are unaware that their dogs have cancer until the signs become obvious, such as darkening of the nose and mouth. In this scenario, depigmentation does not just impact the lips; it also affects other parts of the body.
Porphyrin
Porphyrin is a naturally occurring chemical found in your dog’s tears and saliva. It has a pink/brown tint and is more visible on light skin and coats. This material may induce depigmentation of the lips of your dog if he or she has excessive salivation. To stop the process, you must first identify the source of the salivation, which is frequently related to dental issues, inflamed gums, allergies, or mouth cysts.
Papollomas
The papilloma virus causes oral papillomas. It results in blisters or ulcers on the lips, which might turn pink. Because their immune systems have not yet established immunity to the virus, it usually affects dogs under the age of two. As the body’s immune system learns to resist the virus, the lesions should fade away over time. The lesions should fade away when the body’s immune system adapts to resist the virus.
Trauma
Your dog’s lips may be injured or scratched while playing, and the afflicted region may seem discolored. In order to avoid infection, it’s critical to keep the wound clean. The natural pigmentation normally returns on its own after the wound has healed.
Cutaneous Lymphoma
Cutaneous lymphoma is a cancer that causes the lymphocytes in the body to multiply improperly, resulting in lesions. The gums, nostrils, and lip borders are all frequent places for them to appear. They can, however, appear anywhere on the body.
The illness is actually a form of cancer. It causes sores and inflamed regions that are pink in color. They may bleed or become infected as well.
Unfortunately, chemotherapy and surgery to remove the lesions are usually used to treat the cancer. Radiation is also used on occasion. The lesions usually recur after treatment.
Conclusion
There are many causes as to why your dog can have pink discoloration on his lips. Some conditions are treatable while others are not but you should visit your vet to learn how you can manage them. The only be exception is when your dog’s lips get discolored because of aging as there is nothing you can do about it.
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