Puppy's paws, ears, gums lose color when she sleeps


  • I just got a Basenji puppy this Saturday and noticed that when she sleeps that her paw pads turn white when she sleeps, ears lose their color, and gums turn a light pink.
    The color comes back a bit after she's been awake.

    I took her to the vet Monday morning but test results aren't back yet, and wondered if anyone had ideas..

    She acts pretty much healthy besides this.


  • Never heard of that, but it sounds like there may be a circulation problem there because after she starts moving around the color comes back - very interested to learn what the vet says.


  • Congrats on your new Puppy, hope the test results come back ok. How about some pics when you're sorted 🙂


  • Have you talked to the breeder? That should always be your first course of contact with a new puppy… (of course your Vet also) What tests did your Vet run? Typically blood work is back next day at the longest.


  • I agree with Pat, make sure you talk to her breeder and talk to your vet. Make sure there are no health problems.

    How warm is your house?

    If you keep your house on the cool side, your puppy may be getting cold when she sleeps. When cold, the body diverts blood from the surface to the core of the body to keep vital organs warm. That is one reason why hands, feet, ears, and noses, are so susceptible to frostbite.


  • It's been around 68-72 degrees. But she usually sleeps on me so she's warm.

    Her name is Cinnabun.
    picture1
    picture2

    Just remembered the Vet didn't do a blood test. The vet thought she looked fine, but her paws, gums, ears were nice and pink by the time we were at the vet. The results I'm waiting for are just stool.
    I guess I should go again to have them do a blood test.


  • Did the vet check for a heart murmur during the physical exam?


  • You should talk to the breeder? Who did you get her from?


  • The vet did check her heart with the stethoscope. She checked her hips, heart, stool, temperature and all that seemed fine.
    I was scheduled to go Wednesday for one of her vaccinations, but maybe I should go tomorrow to have them do a blood test.

    I got her from Midge Greenlee of Serengeti kennel.

    My first guess is that maybe she has Anemia.. but I'm not sure that explains her extremities getting their color back then it disapearing.
    Even when her paws/ears lose color, they're still pretty warm I think.


  • You should just call and talk to Midge, I am sure she can put your fears to rest… and if they are staying warm, I would not be concerned. You went to a good breeder that raises nice pups... I would bet that she is doesn't have anemia, but that all is fine.

    Who is the sire and dam of your puppy? Think you will find that she has relatives here on the forum. My first boy, so many years ago was sired by one of Midge's Boys....


  • Serengeti Colby is the father and mother is Ch. Serengeti Hot Tip.

    Yeah I'm not super concerned because she acts pretty normal(but this is my first puppy, last was a rescue).
    I sent the breeder an email since it doesn't seem urgent.

    I probably should go to the vet and have a blood test done..

    I know pale paws/gums can mean something really bad, but she doesn't seem to show other symptoms of something bad.


  • @innociv:

    Serengeti Colby is the father and mother is Ch. Serengeti Hot Tip.

    Yeah I'm not super concerned because she acts pretty normal(but this is my first puppy, last was a rescue).
    I sent the breeder an email since it doesn't seem urgent.

    I probably should go to the vet and have a blood test done..

    I know pale paws/gums can mean something really bad, but she doesn't seem to show other symptoms of something bad.

    Again, I would not be too concerned… but if worried, just call Midge... and you will get the answers you need... in my opinion.... with puppies, not the same as adults that might show the same conditions


  • Cinnabun is lovely, what a nice blaze she has.


  • Let us know if you find out anything more.


  • Now she's getting dead skin on her ears and paws. 😞 I'll have to take her in again.


  • Hi Innociv, your puppy and my girl, Zoni are pretty closely related through your puppy's dam. It is just some little flakes or is it something more significant? Zoni had some flakey skin on her ear once when she got a yeast infection but it went away with a little treatment. Hopefully it is nothing serious.


  • She is a very pretty pup, hopefully she doesn't have anything major going on. If you are in the Tampa area, join us at dog Park some Sunday, we usually have 12 to 18 basenjis and would love to meet Miss Cinnabon.


  • She is a very pretty little girl. Hope all is well good luck.

    Rita Jean


  • @innociv:

    Now she's getting dead skin on her ears and paws. 😞 I'll have to take her in again.

    Did you call Midge?


  • Tanza, I didn't call Midge since it didn't seem urgent then, I sent her an email last week and haven't gotten a response yet.

    Mac, thanks! I'm not usually around Tampa though. I live at south Orlando.

    @Nemo:

    Hi Innociv, your puppy and my girl, Zoni are pretty closely related through your puppy's dam. It is just some little flakes or is it something more significant? Zoni had some flakey skin on her ear once when she got a yeast infection but it went away with a little treatment. Hopefully it is nothing serious.

    The dead skin on her ear I scraped off and there was blood on some parts afterwards. On her paws it is light flaking, it doesn't look serious like frostbite looks or anything, but seems odd for a puppy. She also bites at her paws.

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