The health of a pet always worries a caring owner. The color of the tongue plays an important role in determining the presence of diseases in the dog, since with some ailments its shade can change. Why does the dog have a blue tongue? What is this happening for?
Definition
Such a phenomenon as a blue tongue in a dog is called cyanosis. This is the acquisition of mucous membranes and a bluish-colored tongue. Cyanosis is explained by an increase in hemoglobin in the blood, which means insufficient oxygen saturation of the blood. The pathological condition manifests itself in the superficial vessels of the skin and mucous membranes, provoking a blueness.
Varieties of cyanosis
Specialists distinguish two forms of a pathological condition:
- Peripheral cyanosis is a vasospasm that occurs due to prolonged exposure to cold or cold water, as well as due to low cardiac output (a condition in which less blood is released from the heart muscle than necessary).
- Central cyanosis is a lack of oxygen saturation in arterial blood.
The presence of a blue tongue in a dog indicates the likelihood of tissue hypoxia (oxygen starvation), but this is not the only cause of cyanosis.
Prerequisites for the emergence
What are the causes of a blue tongue in a dog? The following prerequisites for the occurrence of cyanosis are distinguished:
- decrease in pulmonary ventilation due to diseases such as obstructive bronchitis, bronchial asthma, atelectasis;
- decreased oxygen through the walls of the alveoli due to diseases such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pneumosclerosis;
- deterioration in the blood supply to the lungs, which occurs with heart failure or pulmonary thromboembolism;
- poisoning with toxic substances;
- violation of venous outflow of blood;
- Congenital heart defect;
- narrowing of the trachea;
- hypertrophy of the palatine curtain;
- lung injuries that cause fluid buildup in the organ or chest cavity.
There are many causes of a blue tongue in a dog and all of them are quite serious, therefore this symptom cannot be ignored. In addition, a predisposition to these diseases exists in such breeds as the Pekingese, boxers, pugs, Yorkshire terriers, Shih Tzu, toy terriers. Owners of these animals need to carefully monitor the health of their pets.
Symptoms of Pulmonary Disease
An attentive owner will definitely notice that the dog's tongue has fallen out and turned blue, in addition, the disease can be suspected by the following manifestations:
- the animal is less active, is not interested in food and toys;
- heavy breathing, which in some cases may be complicated by the release of foam from the mouth, wheezing or coughing;
- breathing is carried out mainly through the mouth.
Also, breathing can be intermittent, there are delays. If the dog has lost its tongue and turns blue - this means that the animal has problems with the lungs and respiratory system.
Symptoms of diseases of the cardiovascular system
Not only respiratory problems can cause a blue tongue in a dog. Cyanosis is also noted in animals suffering from problems with the cardiovascular system. You can determine this by the combination of these symptoms:
- dyspnea;
- cough;
- blue tongue in the dog;
- swelling of the extremities;
- ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity);
- rare pulse;
- weight loss;
- change in heart rate.
At the same time, general changes in the behavior of the animal are noticeable: a decrease in activity, a loss of interest in food, toys and other external irritants. A symptom of half a blue tongue in a dog may also indicate problems with the cardiovascular system.
Pulmonary disease treatment
Why and why the dog has a blue tongue described above. How to cope with diseases of the respiratory system that can cause such a pathological condition?
- For respiratory diseases and rhinitis that impede the animal’s breathing, the following treatment is used - the antibiotic Ampicillin, the anti-allergic drug Suprastin and nasal drops Anandin.
- With laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx), such drugs as Prednisolone, Suprastin are used, the larynx must be lubricated with Lugol's solution or sprayed with Ingalipt.
- Bronchitis is treated with the following medicines - Ampicillin, Prednisolone, Suprastin, Bromhexine, Eufillin, Mukaltin.
- With pneumonia (pneumonia) , such treatment is effective - antibiotics Cefazolin, Gentamicin, intravenous infusion of a solution of Furosemide to prevent pulmonary edema, drugs to support cardiac activity (Digoxin, Cordiamin).
- Pleurisy (inflammation of the pulmonary membrane) requires the following therapy - antibiotics Cefazolin, Gentamicin, painkillers No-shpa, Baralgin, expectorant drugs, diuretics. With a large accumulation of fluid, it is necessary to remove it surgically.
The need to use this or that drug, as well as the dosage (based on the weight of the dog) can only be prescribed by a qualified veterinarian, self-medication can be dangerous to the health of the pet.
Heart disease treatment
If the dog has a blue tongue, what to do in this case? It is important to check the animal with a veterinarian for detection of pathologies of the cardiovascular system. What diseases can be detected? How to treat them?
- Cardiomyopathy, unfortunately, is not completely cured. However, one can improve the well-being of a pet with such preparations - the diuretic Triampur, and the heart medicine Digoxin.
- Myocardial infarction is treated with the following means - to maintain the activity of the heart, Digoxin, Prazosin, with edema, Lasix, Eufillin and Quinidine sulfate in arrhythmia.
- Myocarditis requires the following therapy - Sulfocamphocaine injections, as well as antibiotics for the treatment of the primary focus of the disease.
- In chronic heart failure, medications are needed that support the functioning of the heart muscle in a normal rhythm.
In addition, it is important to adhere to a salt-free diet and diet. If the dog is overweight, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian for further weight loss, since obese animals significantly increase the load on the cardiovascular system.
When is blue the norm?
Despite the fact that such an unnatural shade of mucous membranes can signal health problems, there are dog breeds in which the blue tongue is their feature. These are such dogs as Chow Chow, Shar Pei, Eurasian.
To date, the reliable reasons for such an unusual color of the tongue and mucous of these breeds are unknown, however, there are legends on this subject that originated in the homeland of these animals.
If the pet does not belong to the above-described varieties of dogs and its tongue has acquired a blue tint, then it is urgent to show it to the veterinarian, as this indicates the presence of health problems.