Dog With a Purple Tongue

As we state in the introduction, a dog's tongue color can say a lot about a dog's overall health. This is because dogs have mucous membranes, which are a good indicator of the state of their blood circulation. If the dog doesn't naturally have a purple or blue tongue, then it should be some shade of pink, with few exceptions. This is why we can look at the following dog tongue color chart to help us know the state of an individual dog's health:

• Pink tongue: this is the most common color, since a healthy dog's gums and tongue are usually pink. In some breeds, we can find black or blue spots. This is usually due to genetic pigmentation inherited from their parents, including dogs with blue tongues.
• Pale or white tongue: occasionally, health changes will be reflected in this color. Thus, if dogs have pale gums, they may be suffering from anemia, leukemia, poisoning, internal bleeding or even a disease caused by parasites such as ticks. In any case, a white tongue in dogs can indicate a decrease in the number of red blood cells. It is essential to take a dog with a white tongue to the veterinarian immediately.
• Red tongue: a red tongue in dogs may also be accompanied by swelling or dark spots. A very red tongue can occur with overheating, inflammation or irritation. A persistent dark spot, lump or other unusual change should be checked by a veterinarian, as some growths can be cancerous.
• Purple tongue: unless your furry friend is a blue-tongued breed, a purple tongue in dogs is usually related to a lack of oxygen (hypoxia). The bluish or purple coloration caused by hypoxia is known as cyanosis. Heart or respiratory disease can cause hypoxia, making it imperative to take the dog to a veterinarian. In severe cases, when the dog has collapsed, the tongue and gums can turn from purple to grey. They may also be cold to the touch.

One of the rare instances where a change in a dog's tongue color is benign is when they have eaten something that has caused it. For example, if your dog has eaten some beetroot, a temporary purple color may be nothing to worry about. However, if they have eaten something potentially toxic, this is a different case. If you observe that your dog's tongue color has changed, it is best to contact a veterinarian. Check whether the gums have changed color too, and note any other symptoms, such as weakness or difficulty breathing.

There are a few breeds of dog that possess a naturally purple tongue. The tongue may vary in shade, with some appearing very blue and others dark enough to appear black. The most famous dog with a blue tongue is perhaps the Chow Chow, although many Shar Pei dogs may also have this color in their mouths.

The Chow Chow has various legends ascribed to the reason for this unique tongue and gum color. However, as with all physical characteristics, the actual reasons are genetic. A mutation has led to the color difference, something that is passed on for various reasons. This is why it is possible to see mongrel or mixed-breed dogs with a blue tongue.

When your dog has a purple tongue but is not a purple tongue dog breed, then we need to be very careful. Physical trauma can lead to patches of bluish-purple on a dog's tongue due to bruising, something that is usually accompanied by swelling. A swollen tongue can be a serious asphyxiation hazard, so we need to be careful.

As we have said before, a blue tongue may also be due to a lack of oxygen circulated by the blood. If, for whatever reason, a dog is unable to breathe properly, they will not be able to get enough oxygen, and a purple tongue can result. This is known as hypoxia, and severe cases can result in a blue or purple tongue and mucous membranes. Immediate veterinary attention is required. Even in a naturally blue-tongued dog, a sudden change in color or breathing pattern should not be assumed to be normal.

Although a lack of oxygen can be the cause when seeing a dog with a purple tongue, the reason a dog is unable to breathe will vary. The urgency of the symptom will depend on the severity of the underlying cause. Some may be passing issues that resolve naturally. Others will need immediate medical attention. The most frequent causes of a purple tongue in dogs are:

• Tiredness in cold water: even dogs accustomed to swimming can suffer from fatigue and become short of breath. Drowning or being trapped in an icy lake can cause a bluish tongue.
• Foreign body: choking can lead to a lack of oxygen, something that is more common when a foreign body gets lodged in the throat. The dog may be restless, gasp for air, keep their neck extended or eventually fall unconscious.
• Smoke inhalation: as with humans, asphyxiation can lead to a lack of oxygen. Smoke from a fire can lead to asphyxiation, but this doesn't mean a house is burning down. If a dog is trapped in a poorly ventilated space, this can deprive them of oxygen and cause their tongue to turn purple.
• Pneumothorax: a less common cause of a dog with a purple tongue is a pneumothorax, which is caused by an abnormal collection of air in the chest. This can be caused by various issues, including blunt force trauma. If we know our dog has been in an accident and their tongue starts to turn purple, seek veterinary help immediately.
• Poisoning: some poisonings can also result in hypoxia and a purple tongue in dogs (cyanosis), as can laryngeal edema or anaphylactic shock.
• Pleural effusion: this causes respiratory problems and can lead to a purple tongue. It is caused by the accumulation of fluid or blood in the chest. It has multiple causes, such as heart, liver or kidney problems, as well as tumors, pneumonia, trauma, etc.

Difficulty breathing, collapse, or blue-purple gums alongside a purple tongue are emergency signs. Keep the dog as calm as possible and seek veterinary care straight away; do not wait to see whether the color returns to normal.

Black tongue in dogs

Heat stroke in dogs is another emergency that can change the color of the mucous membranes in an affected dog. It is caused by a high elevation in body temperature. In severe cases, the tongue and gums may become dark red, purple, blue or grey, and the dog may go into shock. This is a life-threatening situation that needs immediate veterinary treatment.

In addition to the previous reasons why a dog has a purple tongue, we can also see something called lingual strangulation. Essentially, this is cutting off the oxygen to the tongue. This is most often caused by the dog trying to swallow a long piece of material, such as string. As the dog tries to swallow the material, it can wrap around the tongue and cut off its blood and, therefore, oxygen supply. Lingual strangulation is an emergency, as it will eventually lead to the death of the tissue.

Fortunately, lingual strangulation is very rare. Still, when a dog eats anything they shouldn't, it can create a choking hazard, and a purple tongue may be one sign of this. Even if the material is swallowed, it can lodge itself in the digestive system and cause other life-threatening problems such as bloat. Even if the damage isn't acute, some sort of gastrointestinal problem is likely. If string or another long object is visible in the dog's mouth, do not pull on it; seek veterinary advice, as pulling can cause further injury.

There are few reasons a dog has a purple tongue that are not a veterinary emergency, apart from dogs that naturally have a purple or blue tongue. This is also true if it has turned blue or, especially, black or grey. Taking the dog to the nearest clinic is essential. If your dog can't breathe and you are far from a veterinarian, call an emergency veterinary service for instructions. If the dog is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR if you know how or have been instructed to do so, while arranging urgent veterinary care.

If you are unsure of how to administer first aid to dogs, you should speak to your veterinarian. They will be able to explain exactly what you need to do and may even have relevant research materials to help. In an emergency, however, do not delay seeking veterinary assistance while trying to find instructions.

Now you know the reasons your dog may have a purple tongue, you may want to look into other reasons your dog will have respiratory trouble. Our article on dog breathing difficulties might bring you some help, but always go to a veterinarian when unsure.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Dog With a Purple Tongue, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.