Does saliva change hair color?

harleydiva

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Here are some pics of our Persian boy, Nico.  He is not quite 11 months old....so not clear what his final coloring is going to be.  At this point, his face and legs are still very black, and it appears the rest of his coat is going to a "smokey" color.  On his chest, however, it has turned kind of a rusty red color.  He grooms his chest frequently....is it possible the saliva is causing the reddish color there?



 

mani

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You know how dogs eyes can get that reddish stain?  It's from iron in the tears/saliva.

It wouldn't suprise me if it doesn't happen with cats, too.

Nico is very beautiful...
 
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harleydiva

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Is it abnormal amounts of iron?  Is there anything you can do to get it out of the hair?
 

mani

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There's a pigment called porphyrin in the saliva.  I thought it was just in dogs, but, from what you describe, it sounds very much like the same thing.  I really don't know anything more.. maybe your vet could help?
 
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