 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Search by Keyword Product Categories |
 Color of Skin and Gums/Capillary Refill TimeBecause skin tone is difficult to see through all the fur, veterinarians use the color of the mucus membranes, like the ‘whites’ of the eyes and the gums above the teeth, to gauge a pet’s health. For gums, the normal color is pink - anything else calls for immediate veterinary attention or first-aid care. If your pet has pigmented gums, try to find a non-pigmented pink spot on his gums or lips to use as a test area. If you can’t find a pink spot there, you will need to go south to the vulva or prepuce (the fold of skin on the end of the penis).
The following is a guide to what the color of your pet’s gums can mean:
Color What It Means Call the Vet? Pink Normal NoPale to White Anemia or shock Yes, Immediately Blue Smoke inhalation or Yes, Immediately suffocation Bright Cherry Red Carbon monoxide Yes, Immediately poisoning or heatstroke. Yellow Liver problems Yes, same day
Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that give the gums their normal pink color. You can test the condition of your pet’s blood circulation by doing a capillary refill test. Here’s how:
The following is a guide to assess your pet’s condition using the capillary refill test:
Refill Time What It Means Call the Vet? 1 – 2 seconds Normal No 2 – 4 seconds Moderate to poor; possible Yes dehydration or shock. More than 4 seconds EMERGENCY – severe Yes, immediately dehydration or shock. Less than 1 second EMERGENCY – severe Yes, immediately heatstroke or shock. |
 Shopping Basket
Note: All prices in US Dollars
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
