Why is my older dog's mouth black with blisters and rapid decline?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the picture, I would suspect something infectious such as a virus or bacterial infection. It could be a severe case of acne but it is a different presentation than I've seen before. I would recommend having this looked at by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. She may need to be on an oral antibiotic and topical ointment to treat this. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. Judging by the color and the fact that it is in the mouth, it is likely a melanoma, the most common oral tumor in dogs. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good one!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the picture, this could be a mass of some type or due to an insect bite. If this does not resolve within 24-48 hours, then I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Discoloration around the mouth can be due to saliva staining. If Brownie has bad teeth, then she might drool more on that side causing more saliva staining. I recommend you have her seen by your vet to check if there is a wound present under the fur, or if she has dental disease that requires fixing. Best of luck with Brownie!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Coco! I am very worried about Coco. The most common cause for bruising of the skin and gum bleeding are low platelets. This can be caused by loss, destruction or the body stopped making platelets. Common causes of destruction is immune, infectious (tick borne), secondary to medications, recent vaccination or even cancer. I recommend that Coco be seen immediately and have blood work done. Low platelets are treated with immunosuppressive doses of steroids and doxycycline. Animals with low platelets can become anemic which is life threatening. I wish you the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Even though he is no longer bleeding, this is likely causing him a great deal of discomfort. There is most likely a wound in the mouth which is why he is drooling. I highly recommend having him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check what may be wrong so that therapy can be started right away. Best of luck!

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This actually looks pretty serious. It could be an allergic reaction of some kind, a bacterial or fungal infection, or an autoimmune disease. I really think you should take her to a vet for an exam. If it is starting in other locations on her body then then I would be very worried about this being an autoimmune disease (such as pemphigus). This is not something that you will be able to treat at home.