When a dog's lips change from black to pink, it can be confusing and startling for a pet owner. This loss of coloring is called depigmentation. As always, any changes in your dog's appearance should be checked by a veterinarian. This is particularly true for dogs with pink lips, as the list of underlying causes range from harmless to serious.
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Causes and Diagnosis
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First, it is important to understand what causes depigmentation. According to Dr. Louise Murray, a veterinarian and director of medicine for ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City, the most common causes are infection or allergies, autoimmune diseases, vitiligo and cancer. When a dog's lips lose color, the nose and the area surrounding the eyes may also be affected. However, if even just the lips have turned pink, promptly take your dog to your vet.
Before the veterinary appointment, note the size of the area affected. If a small area is slightly pink, your dog may have irritated his lip by chewing on something. If irritation is the culprit, a small amount of vitamin E applied to the area may help reduce or reverse the pink color. If your dog's lips are entirely pink, it could signal an allergen. Depending on the cause, the depigmentation may reverse on its own or it may be permanent.
Your vet may be able to assess the cause of depigmentation through a simple exam. During the exam, your vet will consider the size of the area affected and whether any sores or cysts are present. The presence of sores may indicate an autoimmune disease. A biopsy may be ordered to rule out cancer. In addition, antibiotics may also be used to treat any inflammation or swelling.
Vitiligo
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Another cause of pink lips in dogs is vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that attacks pigmentation cells. Within three to six months of the disease's onset, your dog's lips may begin turning pink. Vitiligo alone will not negatively impact your dog's health, according to the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, Canada. However, there is often a link between vitiligo and other conditions. Your vet may diagnose vitiligo by ordering a skin biopsy.
Serious Causes
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In some cases, depigmentation indicates a serious problem. This includes diseases such as lupus or cancer. If your vet is uncertain of the cause or a serious condition is suspected, a trip to a veterinary dermatologist may be recommended. Finding out the underlying cause is the first and most important course of action, according to Murray.
Remember that given the range of possible causes for your dog's pink lips, it is best to have your vet conduct an exam and then follow any recommended course of treatment.
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