pink lips?

[erin1860]

pink lips!!!

Is it possible for a boxer pup to develop pink lips from chewing his bones??? I noticed yesterday that our six month old boxer has really pink lips and at one point they looked quite raw. He does a lot of chewing. could this be an allergy?

 

[ToriFan]

My boxer will do this to himself on occasion from excessive licking. Back when he had all the skin problems he would lick and lick if unsupervised and inflame whatever he licked plus his lips. Also, when he is boarded he licks his lips raw. I think he's been put on antibiotics in the past when he has done that. Hasn't done it in a while though. If memory serves me, he heals in a week or so.

 

[erin1860]

Do you find that it heals without antibiotics? I was also wondering if it could be from chewing at the bars on his crate while I'm at work????? He's only in there for a couple hours tops before I come home for lunch and let him out, but do you think that could be a cause aswell? It's only one side of his mouth that looks raw, the other side looks ok.

 

[ToriFan]

I believe it does heal without antibiotics. I think the antibiotics are because the sores can get infected. I would imagine any constant friction with that delicate area could cause it and since it is one sided maybe that's it. I would probably still limit the chewing I could control (his bones). Also, maybe put some bitter apple on the bars so they taste gross. You would probably need to spray it before lunch and after. Some dogs I've had certain sprays wouldn't phase them and then others worked. Hope this helps.

 

[erin1860]

Thanks for the tips. the bitter apple spray is a good idea. I took Rocky into the vet today when I was purchasing some cat food, the vet wasn't there but his assistant was and she thought I should bring him in on Monday. When I was taking a closer look at his lips they are starting to look a bit infected and I also noticed these little white spots under his chin on his neck. I looked up mange and mites on the internet, I'm not sure what it might be but it must have developed quickly over the last week because I didn't notice it before. He also seems to be scratching at it quite a bit so I think that he must have been scratching his mouth in the process. Do you know anything about what this could be???? I know boxers are prone to skin irritaions.

 

[ToriFan]

Oh, my boy could write a book on skin problems. We went through what seems like it all from about 6 months to about 2 and a half. He's had D-mange, allergies, MRSA, raw lips, raw feet, red bumps, black bumps... but I don't think they've ever been white. Let me know how it goes and try not to worry. I know how tough it is having stuff going on and they can't tell you it hurts or it doesn't.