Glacius Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I have a girl that has some faded pigment on her lips but the lips look normal in texture and size. It is also quite symmetrical? She is not in any pain and is completely normal as far as activity levels, appetite and general demeanour go. The colour of gums has also been quite pale at times, but as i mentioned about her energy levels are normal and we have done a CBC, which came back fine. I am not sure what has caused this pigment to fade out but I noticed it about 5 months ago,(obviously it started to occur earlier but really didn't stand out until it was really quite bold) she is 16 months old now. Onset was roughly between her 1st and 2nd heat cycle. I came home from work one day and thought she was throwing smilies at me! LOL We tried antihistamines with her at first and then cortisone for a while when what didn't work She definitley had dark almost completely black pigment prior to me noticing this, so i am not imagining it. photos attached from throughout the year so far. There was no change in diet or environment factors that i can pin point. If anyone has any ideas about what may cause this or has experienced it with their dogs please share... Xmas 2010 MAY 15TH 2011 more pix attached below Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glacius Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 May 30th 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glacius Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 July 30th 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glacius Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Sept 19th 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glacius Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Oct 22nd 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 "Winter nose" ? Google it and see if it matches, happpens in labs etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glacius Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Thank you for that...Mals also get "winter nose" or "snow nose" as we call it. I came across this on the lowchen website... Technically called "hypopigmentation" (or snow nose, winter nose) it results from loss of sunlight, and causes the nose to fade to brown in winter; normal colour returns as summer approaches. Snow nose occurs mainly in light-coated breeds; the colour change can become permanent in older dogs. It is not associated with disease. Another reason for this condition is a deficiency of B vitamins, PABA in particular. Vitaligo causes black depigmentation in the nose and sometimes the lips to fade to brown. PABA is found in liver, kidney, brewer's yeast, molasses, whole grains, bran, yoghurt, mushrooms and spinach, and can be made by intestinal bacteria. I wonder if this has anything to do with her being on an almost grain free diet??? Tho i have recently changed her food and she is now getting one with more grain and i am giving her Vets All Natural Health booster with her meals swell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Strange though that her nose has not faded and only her lips. My girls (Cavaliers) get a bit of "snow nose" during the winter but as soon as spring comes and they get to play outside in the sunshine they darken back up again. Is Brewers Yeast okay for dogs? We give it to the horses but grain is their natural diet. It's a great source of B group vitamins and it excellent for the nervous system. I'm sure your vet could tell you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glacius Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 I have looked up a couple of foods and Brewers Yeast is listed as ingredients in EaglePack Power and Artemis OSP Power formulas so i am guessing that it is ok for dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I have looked up a couple of foods and Brewers Yeast is listed as ingredients in EaglePack Power and Artemis OSP Power formulas so i am guessing that it is ok for dogs So maybe try supplementing some in her diet and see if it comes back. Although be prepared for it to take months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamSnag Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Mine also go tho the "winter nose' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbreedlover Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Our top winning Bulldogs all got Kelp. It may take awhile to make some difference but it does have a great effect on their overall health Kelp provides iodine to the body for correct functioning of the thyroid glands, which influences overall health, metabolism, skin and coat. Sealife Food Grade Kelp Meal is made from the seaplant Ascophyllum nodosom, responsibly harvested from the Maine coast. The live plants are quickly dried at low temperature to preserve valuable vitamins,minerals,trace elements,amino acids, and alginates. Kelp also contributes to good pigmentation. Kelp contains some proteins, is rich in iodine, calcium, phosphorus, and potassuim as well as vitamins A, B, E and D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverHaze Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 There is a supplement called colour max you could try Shellie. Not cheap, but might be worth a shot. Perhaps a complete diet change is required? It's certainly nothing i've ever seen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glacius Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 Thanks for all the info guys.... SilverHaze, I have changed feeds, she was previously in Artemis and is now on Eagle and also getting the Vets All Natural Health Booster (as are all the doggies) I will look into the colour max..I had forgotten that was out there!! I understand it will probably take quite some time to come back if it does, after all it did take quite some time to fade :0( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverHaze Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 All our guys are on Eagle pack power, great coats and pigment. Tried the Artemis briefly but wasn't liking what came out the other end lol The colourmax should have all the good stuff, like the kelp in it. I have tried livamol in the past, but i found that it gave the black coats a red tinge (beyond what the sun would do!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glacius Posted November 14, 2011 Author Share Posted November 14, 2011 Well i am happy to report that Charlie's pigment is returning!!!! YAY I changed her food about 8 weeks ago and also started supplementing with the Vets All Natural Health Booster around the same time, I have been giving her the Colourmax Black as well for the last week or so (hoping that will boost things along... I can see the black creeping up the front of her lower lip and closing in from the sides as well as some spotting here and there! Here is an updated photo...taken on the weekend before grooming her for our breed clubs open show, which she went Best Junior In Show at!!!! So proud I am:0) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Great news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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