Checking black gums for illness?

1sttimeforgsd · 10-03-2011, 10:35 AM

Since my boy Ace has black gums, and a lot of times you are prompted to check the gums for paleness, is there another method for a visual check if you feel your dog is ill.

Thankfully my boy is not sick, but since I lost my best friend to and immune disease and checking the gums can be an indication of a problem, it is something I have been wondering about.

sharkey19 · 10-03-2011, 10:40 AM

You can look at the tongue or penis. Usually it will take quite a severe illness for the mucus membranes to turn color though.

gsdsar · 10-05-2011, 06:02 PM

You can also check the conjuctiva. But most illness will not show as a paleness or a change in gum color until it is very advanced.

10-03-2011, 10:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
1sttimeforgsd Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 4,891	Checking black gums for illness? Since my boy Ace has black gums, and a lot of times you are prompted to check the gums for paleness, is there another method for a visual check if you feel your dog is ill. Thankfully my boy is not sick, but since I lost my best friend to and immune disease and checking the gums can be an indication of a problem, it is something I have been wondering about. Attached Thumbnails __________________ karen, mom to: ace-gsd (bi-color) 6/14/2010 mandy-yellow lab 1/31/2009 baby-terrier mix 11/25/2000

10-05-2011, 06:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
gsdsar Knighted Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,838	You can also check the conjuctiva. But most illness will not show as a paleness or a change in gum color until it is very advanced. __________________ SARDOM Hanah Ike Lena

10-03-2011, 10:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
sharkey19 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Guelph Posts: 321	You can look at the tongue or penis. Usually it will take quite a severe illness for the mucus membranes to turn color though.

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