Type: The Standard and Alternate colors are classified for show purposes. If your dog's tongue turns pale or white, consult a vet immediately. In fact, a dog’s gums change color when he’s going through some illness. By Teresa K. Traverse. Please refer to the breed standard for additional details. Cyanosis can be caused by a variety of issues. It's filled with a complex network of arteries, veins and capillaries. White Tongue. A tongue colour chart to determine your health condition Bulk on the tongue. “The tongue is an essential part of the mouth in a dog,” says Dr. Alexander Reiter, professor of dentistry and oral surgery at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. They could turn a variety of different colors like reddish, yellow, blue, etc. A bluish tongue color can indicate cyanosis. Today, we’ll talk about what pale gums in dogs mean, causes of pale gums in dogs, etc. It usually spells major trouble. A thick or heavy white coating on the surface of the tongue, also known as Leukoplakia, can come from cigarette smoke or irritation to the tongue… The following are indications of the various problems associated with the different tongue colors: Pink - is the normal color of the tongue, except for naturally black-tongued dogs. Melanoma is a form of cancer. Do a capillary refill test by pressing on the gums with your finger. When you remove your finger, the gums should briefly be white but should return to their pink color within two seconds. This condition is suffered by 14% of the population in the United States. A Shih Tzu is considered pure black if it has no other coat color present, so no white tall tips or pews as an example. Leukemia, anemia, blood pressure issues or blood loss, malnutrition and gastric issues can all cause the tongue to turn pale or white. You probably don’t think twice about your dog’s tongue, but it does a lot more than just lick your face. Mixed breed dogs might have colored spots on their tongues. Small white spots (Leukoplakia) Gum Problems in Dogs . While additional white spots can indicate an allergic reaction, black spots may indicate melanoma. If you notice these characteristics in your tongue, you should not worry, it is completely normal. Code: Enter the 3-digit color and/or marking code for your dog on your Registration form. Blue Gums: If inadequate amounts of oxygen are being circulated through your dog's blood supply, its gums may turn blue or purple.This gum color is referred to medically as cyanosis. For this dog breeds, Christine Zink, DVM, a veterinarian and the author of Peak Performance: Coaching the Canine Athlete, Dog Health and Nutrition for Dummies, you should instead check the eyelid color if you suspect all is not well with your dog. Lift your dog’s upper lip and look at the color of the gums above an upper canine tooth — the gums should be pink. Color & Marking Description: Color and Markings for your breed. Another possible cause of dog tongue discoloration is cyanosis. These coat color categories include the following: SHIH TZU COAT COLORS – SOLID COLORS. How To Examine Your Dog’s Gums The Right Way! Black – is a popular color for a Shih Tzu dog and pure black is often seen as being unusual Shih Tzu coat color. Pale or White: Animals with a weakening body condition often show this color tongue. The tongues of most breeds have a deep pink or red color due to this high circulation, and are the first place you'll see signs of impaired circulation or respiratory function. Tongue colorization can be sectioned into various colors including: White/Pale, Deep Red, Blue-Purple, White and Yellow/Orange. Let’s jump right in, shall we? To the breed Standard for additional details tongue colorization can be sectioned into various colors including White/Pale. 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