If you have a furry child at home, you'll probably notice that their tongue is one of their most visible organs... Whether it's after a while of exercise or games or simply because they tend to have their tongue out, our furry children can tell us a lot about their health through their tongue.
Main Functions of the Tongue in Dogs
Although it may not seem like it, dogs' tongues are quite long, strong, and have many complex functions in our pets' daily lives.
- Its main function is to carry food and water so that our furry children can feed themselves.
- Another main function is to support the teeth and fangs for chewing and swallowing food.
- Furthermore, this wonderful organ has the ability to identify salty, sweet, and sour flavors.
- It regulates body temperature. When a dog is agitated or tired and pants, it is actually cooling its body - it's its way of sweating.
- Dogs also use their tongues to clean and lick themselves - whether for grooming or because they have a wound, this organ is very useful.
- In the case of females, they use their tongues to groom their puppies and stimulate them to urinate and defecate.
The Most Common Problems in Dogs' Tongues
It is common for our dogs to experience some problem or discomfort in their tongue at some point in their lives. However, we must know that dogs can develop primary or secondary disorders regarding oral health.
If you notice that your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms, it may mean there is a problem with their tongue:
- Refusal to eat
- Abnormal movements while chewing
- Excessive drooling
- Bloody and/or foul-smelling secretions on their tongue or mouth
Inflammation of the tongue is known as glossitis and can occur alone or with other conditions such as stomatitis (inflammation of the soft tissues of the mouth), gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), or cheilitis (inflammation of the lips).
It is important to emphasize that diseases or problems that the tongue or mouth may present do not always mean there is a relationship between the two; they can be isolated accidents such as cuts or wounds, exposure to chemical substances, infections, metabolic diseases, nutritional disorders, among others.
For example, if your furry child suffers from kidney failure or cancer, it can cause ulcerations on their tongue.
Furthermore, unfortunately, the tongue of dogs is one of the body parts with the highest risk of developing tumors - mostly malignant. They can also present small warts caused by the papilloma virus, which usually disappear on their own after a few weeks.
Spots on Dogs' Tongues
Many furry children have spotted tongues. In some, it is natural due to their breed type, and in others, perhaps due to their skin patterns.
If your dog has spots on their tongue, gums, lips, or mouth, there is no need to worry as long as these spots are on flat surfaces, meaning there is no suspicious lump underneath.
These spots or pigmentations are the result of small melanin granules and are completely normal in some dogs. Whether they have them or not is not an indicator of good or bad health. Furthermore, these spots can even grow and change shape over the years.
When to Worry About Spots on Your Dog's Tongue
If a pigmented or spotted area on the tongue, gums, or mouth is not flat and rises above the surrounding tissues or presents a kind of lump, it is best to clear up any doubts and consult with your veterinarian. This could be a sign of melanoma.
Keep in mind that:
- Around half of the types of cancer that affect dogs' tongues are usually squamous cell carcinoma.
- Dogs can develop granular cell and mast cell tumors in their mouths.
- Cyanosis is another disorder that develops on dogs' tongues and/or gums. This is when they turn blue or purple due to a lack of sufficient oxygenation in the blood. This is a condition that should not be overlooked as it can be an indicator of heart or respiratory diseases.
In the case of dogs that naturally have dark tongues, like chow-chows, having a blue tongue should not be a cause for alarm. However, if you notice that the mucous membranes in their mouth or lips turn blue or purple, it is best to consult with your veterinarian as this is not normal.
Your Dog's Tongue: A Reflection of Its Health Status
As you can see, your dog's tongue can tell you many things if you check it periodically. Every so often, it's important to look for ulcers, bruises, bleeding, or any type of wound, not only on their tongue but throughout their mouth.
Take the time to put your fingers in their mouth - into what would be their inner cheeks - to rule out any bumps, lumps, or similar.
Except for certain breeds, your furry child should generally have a vibrant pink tongue. If you see that their tongue and/or gums are any of the following colors, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible:
- Pale or white tongue: may be a sign of a debilitating disease such as anemia, ehrlichiosis, leukemia, blood pressure problems, fluid retention, malnutrition, among others.
- Intensely red tongue: may be an indication of an overactive organ, bacterial or viral infections, fever, kidney or biliary problems, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, cancer, among others.
- Blue or purple tongue: may indicate problems in the vascular system, heart disease, circulation problems, respiratory problems, liver disease, hepatitis, among others.
- Yellow-orange tongue: may be an indication of gastritis, as well as biliary and/or liver problems.
Please note that this is only a guide and should in no way be interpreted as a diagnosis. The best way to learn more about your dog's health status is by taking them to the veterinarian.
