Dog gums are red or purple color, why?

My Yorkie's gums are redish to purple. What causes this? What can I do? Should I take him to my vet?

  • Vetinfo

    By: Erika Raines El Segundo, CA

    Replied on 04/19/2011

    Red to purple gums are often caused by irritation or infection of the gums. Because of the color you describe and your dog's breed, you should take him to your vet for a dental exam. Small breed dogs are especially prone to developing severe dental tartar which appears as a brown or yellow substance on their teeth and needs to periodically be cleaned off. Their gums can become extremely reactive to this tartar and the bacteria living in it which can cause swelling, excessive redness and bleeding of the gums. Another issue with dental disease is that the bacteria living on and in the tartar build up have access to the blood stream via the irritated gums. Once these bacteria enter the blood stream, they can cause infections anywhere in the body. Of particular danger is an infection in the heart valves which can result in heart failure.

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