When your dog won’t stop licking a paw or another part of their body, it’s typically because they’re trying to get some relief from pain or itchiness. Reasons for Fur Staining Caused by Excessive Licking While the staining is only unsightly, excessive licking is often a sign of an underlying medical or behavioral issue. Over time, the stains can turn a darker brown. When dogs lick their paws excessively, a build-up of porphyrins from the saliva turns the fur around the area pink or rusty red. However, sudden excessive saliva production can indicate periodontal disease, teeth fractures, or other dental dilemmas-keep an eye out for stinky breath, bleeding gums, or difficulty eating. Mouthĭrool-prone dogs, like Saint Bernards, often have rusty-colored muzzles and beards. Head to the vet if swelling, discharge, or discomfort accompanies the staining. Of course, excessive staining around the eye could also indicate eye abnormalities, allergies, infections, or injury. This is “because of excessive tear production and the way the tear ducts are located in the head,” Dr. Tear stains are particularly noticeable in certain breeds, like Maltese, Shih Tzus, and short-nosed Bulldogs. However, excessive staining accompanied by certain symptoms or behaviors often indicates an underlying medical issue that may need prompt veterinary treatment. Porphyrin staining isn’t always something to worry about. Should I Worry About My Dog’s Fur Changing Color? While all dogs produce porphyrins, some make more than others, and the staining is more noticeable on light-colored fur. This is why you often see discoloration around your dog’s eyes, mouth, licked fur, or even their rear end. “Iron is the nasty ingredient that especially stains white fur,” he says. Porphyrins are excreted from tears, saliva, urine, and feces and are high in iron. Porphyrin is “the chemical breakdown product associated with red blood cells,” Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC, explains that porphyrin is the most common reason for pink, red, orange, or brown stains on your dog’s fur. What Are Porphyrins and Why Do They Stain My Dog’s Fur?ĭr. Understanding the possible reasons for this discoloration can save unnecessary stress. Sometimes, though, the color change can be a symptom of an underlying health problem. Your dog’s fur turning pink or brown isn’t always a concern. Consider taking a supplement, or speaking with your doctor if the problem persists.Have you noticed that when your dog continually licks their paws, rusty brown patches appear on their fur? Or maybe your beautiful white Maltese develops difficult-to-remove stains around their eyes. If your nails are looking yellow or brownish, see a doctor - they can perform a nail biopsy and begin treating it.īrownish-greyish nails that don't have the texture of a fungal infection, however, can suggest a deficiency in B12. The treatments for this issue vary based on the severity of the infection and can include a topical treatment, oral antifungal medications, or procedures like microdrilling, which creates small pores for medication to more deeply penetrate the nail. "As the nail fungus penetrates deeper into the nail, it may cause the nail to discolor, thicken, and develop crumbling edges – an unsightly and potentially painful problem." "The insides of shoes are a perfect environment to harbor fungal organisms." He further explained that what often starts as athlete's foot – a skin infection – may spread to the nail itself. "These microscopic organisms typically thrive in dark, warm, and moist environments," Cunha said. A microscopic fungus, Cunha said, may affect one or more nails at a time. Toenails that are unusually thick with a yellow or brown-tinge are most likely the result of a fungal infection. The color, along with a thick nail, could indicate a fungal infeciton.
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