My dog is licking a lot and has a black spot on his gums. Why?

Licking the lips can sometimes be a sign of nervousness, nausea, or even an issue with the teeth or mouth. If he hasn't had a dental cleaning recently, tartar on the teeth or gums could be causing some irritation and thus the licking behavior. Nausea such as from minor GI upset, may also cause drooling, or have signs such as vomiting or diarrhea, but this is not always the case. If it continues or you see any signs of illness/smell bad breath, etc, having your vet take a look is best. If you've changed something in his environment around the time the licking started (new pet, people, items in the house, etc) it could be that he's feeling a bit nervous or uncomfortable as well. Making sure he gets some extra attention and the cause of the nervousness is addressed (IE making sure he has someplace to go rest and hide, using a pheromone diffuser, etc) may help.

The black spots may be normal pigmentation of the gums. Dogs can have this color of gums in spots, but the not eating properly isn't normal. It makes me wonder if the black spots could be related to a dental problem. I'd have Silky seen by a vet in the morning.

Any topical product you apply will promptly be licked off. This could be localized infection or inflammation. An allergic reaction or mass cannot be ruled out by image alone. Legally, we are prohibited from telling to medicate the spot in the absence of a physical exam. Ideally, Lana should be physically examined by your veterinarian for a firm diagnosis. She may need systemic treatment as opposed to topical. In the meantime, place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent pawing or rubbing. Keep the area as clean and dry as possible. Wipe her mouth after she drinks or eats.

Licking lips can be a sign of nausea in dogs, and that could be what's causing Fendi to do this behavior. Given that she is otherwise acting normal, I would monitor her for now. If she is still acting this way in the morning, or develops other symptoms such as vomiting and lethargy, I would have her seen by a vet.

No, this isn't normal. Foaming around the mouth can be a sign of nausea, poisoning, difficulty swallowing, poor dental hygiene, and even rabies. If Tucky is vaccinated for rabies, then it is extremely unlikely that would be a cause of the hyper salivation. Licking the lips is also a sign of nausea. I recommend withholding food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If he continues to foam at the mouth in the absence of food, on the bland diet, or becomes lethargic he will need to see a vet.

I would be most concerned for a lick granuloma although it is difficult to tell from pictures. These can be related to arthritic pain, boredom, compulsive disorders and allergies, among other causes. The treatment depends somewhat on what the vet suspects the cause is- but may include diet changes, pain medicine, antibiotics if it appears infected and/or behavioral modification. If your vet does not think it looks like a granuloma in person they may recommend a biopsy! I hope this helps and Mercedes is back to normal soon!

Chronic licking is a common sign of nausea, as well as hypersalivation. Nausea can be caused by many conditions such as dietary indiscretion (eating things Bella shouldn't be), intestinal parasites, foreign bodies, and pancreatitis. If Bella is consistently doing this, it is worth it to rule out the conditions above. Your vet may recommend bloodwork, x-rays, and possibly an abdominal ultrasound. I hope all is well and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!