Are certain dog breeds prone to hyperpigmentation?
All dogs can get hyperpigmentation. But if your canine buddy happens to be a dachshund, then you need to approach this condition differently. The dark purplish skin discoloration on your dachshund may not be associated with any medical conditions. It might simply be a genetic predisposition to specific issues, especially in the short-haired kinds. What does this mean? Hypothyroidism is prevalent for a Weiner dog.
One of the risk factors with owning a dachshund is that this can lead to specific health issues – some of which exhibit stomach discoloration as a symptom. This condition affects a dachshund’s overall wellness, coat, immune system, weight, and activity levels. At the same time, hypothyroidism can make your sausage more vulnerable to skin infections, so having skin discoloration is almost expected from a dachshund. Make sure to inspect their coats regularly to nip any issues in the bud.
Skin discoloration is indeed a telling sign of cutaneous hyperpigmentation in canines, not only in dark purple or blue, but sometimes in colors like black and pale brown, too. When dogs experience hyperpigmentation, not only does the skins color change a little, its texture also often changes, frequently taking on a markedly dense and coarse feel. Hyperpigmentation doesnt only show up on dogs stomachs, but also commonly on their limbs and where their lower stomachs and thighs meet.
If youre cozily rubbing your poochs belly only to notice that it suddenly looks to be dark purplish or blue rather than its normal color, then its time to call the veterinarian to make an appointment. Skin discoloration issues in dogs often signify cases of cutaneous hyperpigmentation. Any type of dog is potentially susceptible to hyperpigmentation, no matter the breed.
Cutaneous hyperpigmentation entails, in a nutshell, the skin taking on a darker coloring. This hyperpigmentation in most cases isnt a disorder of its own, but rather an effect of another medical ailment. Its relatively prevalent in the canine world. A lot of different things can lead to hyperpigmentation in dogs, including bacterial infections, allergies, Cushings disease and excessive body weight. Inflammation typically is responsible for the emergence of hyperpigmentation.
If you notice any unusual coloring on any part of your pets body, not only on the stomach, the veterinarian can determine exactly what the trigger is. If the vet works on managing the root cause of the discoloration, it should fade away with some time, occasionally up to months at a time. If bacterial infection is the reason for the purplish dark hyperpigmentation, a veterinarian might suggest antibiotics for your canine, which, in turn, should lead to the eventual clearing up of the frustrating discoloration.
If your pooch happens to be a dachshund, then his dark purplish discoloration might not be related to any other existing ailment, but instead might actually be its own entity. In this specific breed, hyperpigmentation is often a primary condition. Cases of dogs of other breeds with primary hyperpigmentation are extremely few and far between. Although this genetic issue doesnt have a cure, a variety of management options are available to dachshunds who are living with it, whether oral medicines or specialized shampoos.
Why is my dog’s skin turning purple?
When there is not enough oxygen being carried to the body by the red blood cells, the skin and mucous membranes (e.g., the gums) can turn a bluish color. This is known as cyanosis.