by Kimberlee King

Created on: August 26, 2009   Last Updated: August 27, 2009

Think your dog may be sick? Believe it or not your pet's gums may be one of the best indicators of ill health. If your puppy is looking peaked take a look inside of his mouth by gently lifting his lips over his teeth, it is best to do this in natural light to get an accurate assessment of the true color. Also, avoid checking your pet's gums immediately after he or she wakes from a nap as sleep affects their circulation and can cause a temporary pale color.

A healthy dog's gums should appear pink in color anywhere from light red to shades of bubble gum pink, remember you are looking at the gums only, not the tongue or insides of the cheeks. They should also feel wet to the touch. Dry sticky gums are a sign of possible dehydration and require an immediate visit to the vet.

One of the most often occurring color changes noticeable is very pale or white gums. White or extremely pale gums can be a sign of anemia or low blood flow, in most cases this is caused by a flea infestation or an intestinal parasite. It can also be a sign of a larger illness and requires prompt medical attention often requiring a blood transfusion. Dogs with internal bleeding can also display very pale gums as the result of blood loss.

If when inspecting your pets gums you encounter a blue color this most often signifies a lack of oxygen or cyanosis, this can be caused by a myriad of things such as an object blocking the airway to more serious problems such as lung disease or hypoxia.

Dogs suffering from liver failure will display yellow tinged gums along with the whites of their eyes being similarly discolored, much like the same disease in humans. Extremely dark red gums are often the first symptoms of dehydration or heat stroke. This is caused by increased circulation causing their blood to thicken.

Another thing that may draw your attention to your pet's mouth is a lack of appetite or picking at his food. When you inspect his mouth this time pay special attention to the gum areas surrounding his teeth, swollen bleeding gums or decayed loose teeth may be the reason your pet is having a hard time eating and will require a visit to a veterinarian with canine dental skills.

Responsible pet owners should perform routine checks of their pet's gums as this is sometimes the first symptom of a serious, possibly fatal illness. A lot of these health issues can be treated with immediate medical treatment. So the inside of his mouth next time Peppy is not looking so peppy take a look inside of his mouth and see what's going on.

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