my dogs skin colour

[twigs]

...keeps changing from dk brown to very pink...is there any experts about who has seen this happen, its usually between his back legs and tummy but now his nose and mouth has gone from black to pink!!
He isnt itchy or theres no rash, just a pigment change and I have no idea why, this has happened a few times before:confused:

[noodle]

A change in pigmentation happens alot in the winter, usually to dogs who havnt the blackest pigmentation to start with.
The nose changing is whats called a snow nose, happens usually in winter hence the name.
Dogs that dosnt have the blackest of pads or/and dont have much black inside the mouth can change alot.
Its only a problem when showing dogs as purely a cosmetic thing.
I tried lots of different lotions and potions with one of my dogs to help pigmentaion but they are born with good or bad!

[twigs]

ty for the reply
I was beginning to worry as someone had said it would develop into skin cancer!!!
I think hes rather endearing with a half pink nose now:p

[Ashlea]

Have you considered having the dog checked for "Lupus"? Is everything else looking fine - no blisters/weight loss/itchiness/Tiredness etc? Im guessing he has no other symptoms as you didnt mention anything.... therefore I would guess the condition you described is not serious.
I dont want to scare you - im sure your dog is fine....but here's some info on Lupus anyway (just because you might find it interesting.)
http://www.napoleon.org.uk/health/lupus.htm

Noodle wrote: "A change in pigmentation happens alot in the winter, usually to dogs who havnt the blackest pigmentation to start with.
The nose changing is whats called a snow nose, happens usually in winter hence the name.
Dogs that dosnt have the blackest of pads or/and dont have much black inside the mouth can change alot.
Its only a problem when showing dogs as purely a cosmetic thing.
I tried lots of different lotions and potions with one of my dogs to help pigmentaion but they are born with good or bad!"

I dont know much about it, but I would guess that what is said is correct - and I would happily accept the above as the likely condition if you think it makes sense in accordance to your dogs case.

I think, Twigs, it was you who mentioned cancer?....It is true that a change in the skin might be a cause for concern - but I think lighter skinned animals/people are more proned to skin cancer than darker skinned people/animals. I dont think you have anything to worry about yet as, usually, the tell tale signs for cancer would be darkenning of the skin in irregular blotches, itchiness, lumps etc, rather than just simply the lightening of skin pigment - so I wouldnt worry about that yet....(but I dont claim to be an expert).

Usually, if it were in a human, Id hazzard a guess that a lightening of skin pigmentation in patches/blotches was a condition know as vitiligo. But I dont know if it is the same in animals.

Again, I'd happily assume that what Noodle said about "snow nose" was probably the case with your dog.....but Im aware that lightening of the skin in areas other than the nose (between the legs/belly etc) may or may not be connected to "snow nose"....Your dog may or may not have vitiligo, but I thought Id post a little about it, just incase you were interested.:) (I dont think its nothing to worry about).

Vitilgo is simply a loss of pigmentation in skin - it usually effects darker skin more obviously than it does lighter skin.
Its not usually a problem, but areas affected may become more sensitive and/or itchy....and will also be more photosensitive too!

I dont know much about it in animals, but in humans, its not contagious, but it can affect anyone - it is more common in those who have a family memember with the same condition.

In humans, I think vitiligo is also associated with pernicious anemia, hyperthyroidism, and Addison’s disease.....but I do not know how this relates to animals.

I think Rashes, sunburn and scratches may also provoke an onset of vitiligo.

A friend of mine has the condition - she has beautiful, smooth olive skin, but she has big patches/blotches of pinky/white marks up her arms, her neck and on her nose - they get larger and more noticable under certain conditions. Her dad also has the condition, and is usually brought up by over exposure to the sun (they like sailing).

Im sure theres nothing to worry about though - its not a problem at all - just a lack of pigmentation in the skin......if its worrying you, then call a vet and see if they can give some over the phone information....or ask the vet to have a look next time he sees the dog for routine vaccinations!

:D

[twigs]

thanks for that info, shall look into lupus link and vitiligo, theres no other symtoms at all, well none I have noticed or that would be related...:p
This is the first time his nose and lips have changed to pink, he did have a pink nose as a pup though. He goes through this change a few times a year

[noodle]

Pink nose as a pup means poor pigmentation, nothing wrong with it, I have it with my show dogs, one of the first things I look for is black pads and noses and black inside mouth when puppies are small, did very well with one day but the critique often said 'poor pigmentation'

Have a look at my website, megan is the one withn poor pigmentation

what breed of dog is it?