Black Labrador Retriever’s front paws turned white - part I

From: Pat (USA)

Subject: Black Labrador Retriever’s front paws turned white

Labrador Retrievers name: Gypsy Rose Lee

Reader's E-mail - Pat Writes:

Hello,

My 9 year old black lab’s front paws suddenly turned white – almost as if they had been bleached. Her back paws are fine. I tried cleaning the front paws, thinking she had just been into something, but they’re still white. Should I take her to the vet?

Thank you.
Pat

All About Labradors Blog Answer:

Hello Pat,

My apologies on the delayed response as I receive many questions to the All About Labrador blog and it does take me some time to answer all of them.

I'm sorry to hear about your Labrador Retrievers condition. Yes, I would definitely recommend taking your Labrador Retriever to see your veterinarian.

I have found a couple possible reasons that your Labrador's paws may have turned white:

Vitiligo - is a hereditary lack of pigment in the skin in which the dogs develop somewhat symmetrical depigmentation especially of the nose, lips, muzzle, inside of mouth and footpads.

In some cases the pigment returns and in other cases the changes are permanent. It does not appear to have consequences other than cosmetic.

Contact reaction - contact with a sensitizing material can result in depigmentation.

I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help to you Pat. Please keep me updated with whatever your veterinarian tells you and how your Labrador Retriever is doing, as this will be of help to the readers of the All About Labradors blog.

If you have any photos of your Labrador Retriever (what is her name) that you would like to e-mail me, I would be happy to post them on the Labrador Retrievers Picture blog.

Take care of yourself and your Labrador Retriever,
Fay

Reader's E-mail: Pat's Response:

Fay,

Thank you very much for your reply. I did take Gypsy (Gypsy Rose Lee!) to the vet, and he thinks that it is, indeed, vitiligo. Very good! I’ve never even heard of it! I will try to get you a picture of both Gypsy and her step-sister, Maggie Mae Barber (a chocolate lab), to include on your website. Labs are without a doubt the most wonderful dogs in the world. (-:

Thanks, again!
Pat

To read the second part of this e-mail visit: Black Labrador Retriever’s front paws turned white - part II

Technorati Tags: all about labradors labrador retriever health labrador retriever labradors labs black labrador retrievers pets dogs

Categories: LabradorHealth_ ReadersEmail_