So, I've noticed for months that our black Maine Coon kitten's tongue is very dark colored in the middle. The part known as the filiform papillae, which is the area they use to groom themselves (and rip flesh from prey).
I keep forgetting to mention this to our vet - although Luna has been there numerous times since we got her and had her mouth looked at many times including having a PCR test done which means taking swab samples from her mouth. So our vet is very familiar with the interior of Luna's mouth and has never mentioned this being a problem.
I know some breeds of dogs have dark tongues such as the Chow Chow so I wonder if there are some breeds of cats that are similar or darker colored ones? I read some torties will show up with dark patches on their tongues and gums so perhaps this is something similar.
Aside from Luna having chronic mildly runny eyes (possible herpes - tested negative but may not have been shedding virus when tested) and potentially one partially blocked tear duct (we see a specialist in 2 weeks about that) she's healthy and nothing points to the kinds of things that would cause her tongue to turn black such as circulatory problems - and besides, it's always been that way since I can remember. Plus it isn't the whole tongue, just right down the middle and her gums look healthy.
I did some searching and got hits here at TCS but all of those turned out to be things like the cat was licking a dark colored blanket (I know that's not it here lol), or other minor things. And can't find anything else about whether or not some cats might be born with discolored tongues that are just a genetic anomaly - not health related.
Wondering if anyone has any idea about this? And certainly going to try to remember to ask the vet next time we are there!
I keep forgetting to mention this to our vet - although Luna has been there numerous times since we got her and had her mouth looked at many times including having a PCR test done which means taking swab samples from her mouth. So our vet is very familiar with the interior of Luna's mouth and has never mentioned this being a problem.
I know some breeds of dogs have dark tongues such as the Chow Chow so I wonder if there are some breeds of cats that are similar or darker colored ones? I read some torties will show up with dark patches on their tongues and gums so perhaps this is something similar.
Aside from Luna having chronic mildly runny eyes (possible herpes - tested negative but may not have been shedding virus when tested) and potentially one partially blocked tear duct (we see a specialist in 2 weeks about that) she's healthy and nothing points to the kinds of things that would cause her tongue to turn black such as circulatory problems - and besides, it's always been that way since I can remember. Plus it isn't the whole tongue, just right down the middle and her gums look healthy.
I did some searching and got hits here at TCS but all of those turned out to be things like the cat was licking a dark colored blanket (I know that's not it here lol), or other minor things. And can't find anything else about whether or not some cats might be born with discolored tongues that are just a genetic anomaly - not health related.
Wondering if anyone has any idea about this? And certainly going to try to remember to ask the vet next time we are there!