In this research you will know the answer to the query “Why Does My Dog Have A Hot Tongue?“.
The dog park is epic and you took Rover there.
As he runs around chases the Frisbee and generally is a dog he is having a great time.
Its been weeks since you have seen him act like this! He comes running to you panting and licks your hand.
He feels strangely hot on his tongue. What should he do?
Has he been running around all day?
Is your pet in need of attention? Is it normal for dogs to have hot tongues?
What are some signs that its too hot?
You do not need to worry. Everything is taken care of. Keep reading as we answer all these questions and more.
Higher Body Temperature
Typically dogs have a higher body temperature than humans ranging between 99.5°F and 102.5°F (37.5°C – 39.2°C). As a result your pup will probably feel hot compared to you especially when they lick you. Lets face it dogs love to lick. Imagine that your pup is playing running around and generally behaving as a pup should. As a result he will likely work up a sweat temporarily raising his body temperature. His tongue will feel even hotter as a result.
This is usually nothing to worry about. In my opinion I wouldnot worry about Rovers tail wagging if he seems happy. You should probably keep an eye on him if he seems sad and under the weather since this could be a sign of something more sinister.
Natural Body Temperature Regulation
The way dogs regulate their body temperature differs slightly from how humans do it. Our bodies sweat when they need to cool off. We cool our bodies as a result of evaporation. In dogs the mechanism is the same but they do not sweat through their skin. The only way they sweat is through their nose and feet which isnot nearly enough to cool them off. They pant instead sticking out their tongues. Their saliva cools due to evaporation caused by hot air escaping from their mouths.
Your pups panting is necessary for him to cool off but excessive panting is not a good thing. It could indicate heat exhaustion which is extremely serious. If you notice Rover panting a lot and not looking like himself you should help him cool off as soon as possible.
How To Treat Heat Exhaustion in Dogs
Canines can suffer from heat exhaustion which is potentially fatal. Whenever your pups body temperature exceeds 102°F (39°C) hes too hot. He is likely to suffer a heat stroke if the temperature exceeds 106°F (41°C). The heat will cause his organs to shut down and his heart may stop.
You’ll notice that your pup is panting like crazy appearing listless and exhibiting low energy if he is suffering from heat exhaustion. Those are the first symptoms. He could experience convulsions vomit and have a runny tummy next. He could also experience blue gums and a bright red tongue.
Any time you see one of these symptoms you must act quickly to cool your dog down. Your first move should be to remove him from the heat. You should get him out of the sun into the shade or indoors where there is an air conditioner if you can.
You can check his temperature with a rectal thermometer. Over 106°F (41°C) you should probably go to the vet since heatstroke could be fatal.
Consider letting your dog take a dip in a river lake or even a bathtub if you happen to be near water. His body temperature will drop quickly. To cool him down if you do not have enough water nearby use cool wet cloths or towels. They should be placed around Rovers neck under his armpits and between his hind legs. Be sure to gently moisten his paw pads and ears as well.
Let your dog drink cool water if he is awake and willing. Do not force him though as this could cause him to inhale it and get it into his lungs instead. You do not want that to happen. If he cannot or will not drink gently wet his tongue with cool water. Do not give your pup ice as this will cause his body temperature to drop too quickly. If this happens he could experience shock which could lead to further complications.
Illness
The dogs may need a bit of extra care when they are ill. Your pup may develop a fever when ill. As Rovers tongue and body temperature rise he will feel the heat more intensely. Check your pups rectal temperature (if he’ll let you) if his tongue feels hotter than usual. His rectal temperature will indicate whether he has a fever. You might consider taking your pet to the vet if you’re concerned.
What Should I Do If My Dog Bites His Tongue?
Sometimes we bite our tongues and its painful. Even dogs do it though they have a cool reflex that prevents it most of the time. When a dog tries to close his mouth the motor control area in his brain prevents him from doing so until his tongue is safely tucked away. Clever! Its a good thing since dog teeth are incredibly sharp and may accidentally bite the tongue clean off.
Now what happens when this reflex lets Rover down and he does bite his tongue? What if he went into the recycling and cut his tongue on a tin can? Dogs have a lot of blood vessels in their tongue so a cut here will bleed quite a bit. The first step is to apply pressure to the cut if your puppy lets you. Simply pinch the cut with your finger. It might be necessary to pin him down or seek assistance. You must get to the vet immediately if the cut is severe and he would not let you near his mouth. His tongue should be held out of his mouth as far as possible to prevent blood from flowing into his throat. Blood traveling down his throat might upset his stomach. You also can not tell if the bleeding has stopped.
You could place a bandage in his mouth if your pup does not allow you to apply direct pressure to the cut. You can now allow him to pull his tongue back into his mouth place the bandage on the roof of his mouth and hold his jaws closed. He will still be able to breathe through his nose as the bandage soaks up the blood. However he might not like this option as much as the first.
Check the bandage regularly if you choose the bandage option since you would not be able to see it. Keep your pups mouth closed at the same time.
Alternatively ice could be used. The ice cube should be applied directly to the cut. Constricting the blood vessels in the area (blood vessels narrow when they’re cold) reduces bleeding. Applying pressure to the area also stops bleeding.
Sadly you will need to get to the vet if the bleeding hasnot stopped within 20 minutes.
Once your dogs tongue is treated and he is on the mend he will need some soft food to protect the wound as it heals. Since this is a very sensitive area of your dogs body ask your vet about options to prevent infection and manage pain.
Why is My Dog’s Tongue Cold?
Your hands become cold when you touch something cold. Dogs are no different. Their tongues will feel cold for a while after drinking water or licking something cold such as condensation on a window. Their tongues will again become warm as their natural body temperature rises.
What Does A Healthy Dog Tongue Look Like?
Pink tongues are typically found on healthy puppies. Spotted tongues are common in some breeds usually sporting black or blue spots. Some non-spotty tongued breeds also have black spots on the tongue and gums.
Imagine that your pup has blisters lesions or broken skin around his mouth or tongue. In that case the vet should probably examine it especially if it does not show significant signs of healing within a few days. Occasionally a dogs tongue changes color or shape or develops new raised or unusually textured spots. This is usually cause for concern and a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Whenever your pups tongue or gums turn pale or white it usually means he or she is ill.
Its a good idea to take your Rover to the vet if its tongue is red due to bacterial infections vitamin deficiencies or other illnesses. What a mess a dogs tongue can be! Who knew there were so many possibilities?
Common Dog Tongue Problems
The tongues of our pups let us know when they’re not feeling well. Dogs can also suffer from other ailments that affect their tongue. The following are some to watch for:
Fungal Stomatitis
This occurs when your pups mouth becomes infected with too much Candida albicans. The condition can cause inflammation bad breath drooling and bleeding open sores on the tongue. Its likely that your pup would refuse to eat when suffering from this condition. Make an appointment with your veterinarian if you notice this. Your pup will be able to recover from fungal infections if you provide long-term treatment.
Glossitis
The tongue is inflamed. Usually this is caused by external factors such as infection wounds exposure to chemicals insect bites or foreign objects caught under the tongue. If your dog has long hair and tries to remove burrs from his fur using his tongue he may also develop glossitis from this.
Glossitis usually causes dogs to drool a lot and their tongues may appear red and swollen. The vet will remove whatever is causing the inflammation and treat the symptoms with antibiotics.
If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.
