Causes Of Dog Muzzle Depigmentation
Dog muzzle depigmentation cases are increasingly common. Therefore, this small but important organ of pets cannot be neglected.
It is not just the human nose that reveals the state of health or mood. Dogs’ snouts speak volumes about their health status. Changes in appearance, moisture or texture can be symptoms of some diseases.
What is dog muzzle depigmentation?
A dog’s muzzle loss of color occurs when the dog has depigmentation in that part of the face. The area used to be black or brown, but gradually turns to skin color (a light pink hue).
However, the spotted muzzle is not always synonymous with disease. There are natural and innate factors in the dog that can cause the depigmentation of his muzzle.
A birth characteristic
Some dog breeds have depigmentation from birth, which is a characteristic that is even coveted to preserve the lineage. This phenomenon happens mainly with the Australian shepherd, the border collie and the American pit bull.
The change in canine muzzle color can also be a reaction to the absence of sunlight during winter. The color is restored with the arrival of summer. It is common to happen to dogs with light fur and cold climates, such as the Siberian husky, the Eskimo dog and the Alaskan Malamute.
Dogs’ muzzles can also lighten over time, which is a sign of longevity.
However, if a dog that does not meet these specific conditions has a loss of muzzle color, this could be a bad sign. It is recommended to seek the veterinarian as soon as possible.
What can cause a dog to lose muzzle color?
The depigmentation of the muzzle can be caused by internal dysfunctions of the body or external causes:
Internal causes:
- B vitamin deficiency.
- Autoimmune or systemic diseases.
- Autoimmune and/or systemic dysfunctions.
This is the case of lupus, dermatological uveus syndrome, hypothyroidism, pemphigus and vitiligo. These diseases usually have as their main symptom irritation and depigmentation of the mucous membranes and the muzzle.
Dudley muzzle
This genetic anomaly has as its main symptom the depigmentation of the dog’s muzzle. It does not pose serious risks to the animal’s health.
Allergies
Some dogs are more likely than others to develop allergies. The allergic process caused by exposure to plastic can cause depigmentation of the muzzle. It is recommended to choose metallic containers to feed and drink to the dogs.
External causes of muzzle depigmentation
- Excessive sun exposure
Dogs are more sensitive to the sun than humans. And the muzzle is very vulnerable to excessive exposure to sunlight. Burns and irritations can cause depigmentation. Therefore, it is common for dogs that live on the streets to have a spotted snout.
How to prevent depigmentation of the dog’s muzzle?
1. Balanced food
The most common cause of canine muzzle depigmentation is an unbalanced diet, which causes a deficiency in the amount of B vitamins.
A balanced diet is based on a balance between quantity and quality. It is not advisable to believe all the advertisements about food. The most important thing is to understand that there is no such thing as a better or worse food. What exists are foods that are more suitable for our pet, according to its race, size, age and lifestyle.
Therefore, the choice of food must follow the veterinarian’s guidelines. The owner must respect the determinations and avoid the introduction of human foods in the dog’s diet. This can end up resulting in disturbances in the animal’s body.
2. Protection from the sun’s rays
Excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun is harmful to animals and humans. Dogs can feel burning, burns, irritations, depigmentation and risk of developing cancer.
There are sunscreens suitable for dogs. Before exposing the animal, it is essential to protect the entire length of its skin, including the muzzle and ears.
3. Periodic visits to the veterinarian
It is often difficult to diagnose systemic and autoimmune diseases in dogs. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically take them to the veterinarian and keep their routine exams, vaccination booklet and animal deworming up to date.
There are many silent diseases in the animal kingdom. Therefore, minor symptoms, such as depigmentation of the dog’s muzzle, should not be ignored.
Main image source: Marta Jimenez
