Dark tummy - YorkieTalk.com Forums

linz06 · 05-17-2011, 07:54 AM

I have done some searches and can't really find much about this. For the last year or so, Layla's tummy has seemed to darken quite a bit. It used to be very light pink, and now it's almost a brownish-gray color. I have asked a vet before and was told there's not really any reason for it. She does "scoot" and she has gotten rug burn a few times, and I've noticed the darkest spots are the spots that tend to rub on the floor the most (just inside her back legs).

Last night we gave her a haircut and when I turned her over to clip her chest, my bf and I both thought it seemed to be worse than it was a few weeks ago with her last haircut. She is not sick, nothing is bothering her, but of course she can't feel her tummy so I can't know if it hurts. Her reflexes work fine, and there is not twitching or anything if I touch or press on her tummy.

Any ideas? I've seen here that some people say the tummy skin can just darken with age, or with diet. Or it may just be the scooting. Her tummy is on the ground the majority of the day so maybe that's part of it.

AlicetheYorkie · 05-17-2011, 09:01 AM

I don't know if it's different with Yorkies or if there is any other reason for it, but I have noticed that my 12 yr. old Beagle's belly has definatly gotten darker (like gray instead of pinkish) in the past few years. The only issue she has is hypothyroid, but I have no clue if that has anything to do with it. I think it's just and age thing

.

Baroness · 05-17-2011, 09:04 AM

Teddie's belly is grayish brown, I always rub/scratch his belly and call it a little chubby berry. (he digs this for some reason)

I don't think it denotes anything bad or wrong with them, I just think it is the melanin in the skin is darker and if hair were allowed to grow longer there it would be darker.

linz06 · 05-17-2011, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlicetheYorkie

I don't know if it's different with Yorkies or if there is any other reason for it, but I have noticed that my 12 yr. old Beagle's belly has definatly gotten darker (like gray instead of pinkish) in the past few years. The only issue she has is hypothyroid, but I have no clue if that has anything to do with it. I think it's just and age thing

.

I asked this same question on the Yahoo group I belong to to for IVDD dogs, wondering if it might be from the scooting, and one person replied that her dog also has a grayish tummy due to hypothyroidism. Now I'm concerned.

AlicetheYorkie · 05-17-2011, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linz06

I asked this same question on the Yahoo group I belong to to for IVDD dogs, wondering if it might be from the scooting, and one person replied that her dog also has a grayish tummy due to hypothyroidism. Now I'm concerned.

Oh really? I know skin issues are associated with it such as dandruf and dry skin and hair coat, but I've never heard that. Well, if you want to be safe you can always get a simple blood test at the vet to check. And if she is hypothyroid, don't worry, it's not a debilitating desease at all if it's treated with twice daily medication (the rx is very cheap too and the pills are tiny). Like I said though, I have NO idea if the dark skin on the belly is a sign or not, I had my Beagle tested because she gained weight and her hair coat got really dry and flaky even though nothing in her diet changed.

linz06 · 05-17-2011, 02:07 PM

Well, I just talked to the vet and she said it could be a variety of endocrine issues or allergies or just rubbing her tummy. She has some things to do tonight but said she will call me when she's done in a meeting and if we want, she can meet us at the clinic then (probably around 9:30 tonight). Gotta love small town vets!

AlicetheYorkie · 05-18-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linz06

Well, I just talked to the vet and she said it could be a variety of endocrine issues or allergies or just rubbing her tummy. She has some things to do tonight but said she will call me when she's done in a meeting and if we want, she can meet us at the clinic then (probably around 9:30 tonight). Gotta love small town vets!

How'd it go with the vet? Did she have any thoughts?

linz06 · 05-18-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlicetheYorkie

How'd it go with the vet? Did she have any thoughts?

She was supposed to call me at the end of her meeting last night, and she didn't call

We haven't heard from her at all. Last night we cut Layla's nails, and she was laying on her back for it. I noticed her tummy wasn't as dark as the night before.

Ellie May · 05-18-2011, 01:41 PM

I'd just call and bug her.

Ellie's vet admits if she doesn't write it down, then the conversation never happened...

linz06 · 05-18-2011, 02:06 PM

She told Scott last night that she'd try to fit us in at 6:40 as a huge favor because she is super booked, and then called me immediately after and told me there's no way she could make it because she couldn't skip a meeting, but she would call us later and try to meet us there at night. Maybe her meeting went longer than expected, I'm not sure. But even on the phone she did say if there is no swelling of the tummy, no change in behavior, no sickness, no difference in eating or drinking... that it's probably not urgent although she would see me if I was really worried. After sleeping on it, I'm less worried today lol.

It started around a year ago, when Layla went down and we moved to a new house. The vet said it is most likely from rubbing as she scoots, or possibly an allergy. In a few days we are going on holidays for a month and Layla will be with my parents. I know for a fact my mom uses different detergents and things than me, so if it is any sort of allergy to that sort of thing, it might clear up there!

AlicetheYorkie · 05-18-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linz06

She was supposed to call me at the end of her meeting last night, and she didn't call

We haven't heard from her at all. Last night we cut Layla's nails, and she was laying on her back for it. I noticed her tummy wasn't as dark as the night before.

Maybe it is just from the scooting then.

alisonJ · 05-18-2011, 03:37 PM

YES!! I noticed Edie's belly turned dark--during a very short period of time about 6 years ago. I was very worried, so we went to the vet. The vet seemed to think everything was OK. I did not notice any other issues, so I decided to let it be. That was a long time ago, and Edie (who is now 10 1/2) is very healthy and as active as a puppy.

woofwoofwoof · 04-09-2016, 07:26 PM

Hi everyone - my 2 year old Yorkie just developed this. His tummy as a pinkish beige and that last week or so I noticed that it's darker and darker. Should I worry. He was having an itching problem but not on his belly, it was more under his tail/groin area. We didn't find fleas. Otherwise, he seems normal energy and personality wise.

05-17-2011, 07:54 AM	#1
linz06 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,154	Dark tummy I have done some searches and can't really find much about this. For the last year or so, Layla's tummy has seemed to darken quite a bit. It used to be very light pink, and now it's almost a brownish-gray color. I have asked a vet before and was told there's not really any reason for it. She does "scoot" and she has gotten rug burn a few times, and I've noticed the darkest spots are the spots that tend to rub on the floor the most (just inside her back legs). Last night we gave her a haircut and when I turned her over to clip her chest, my bf and I both thought it seemed to be worse than it was a few weeks ago with her last haircut. She is not sick, nothing is bothering her, but of course she can't feel her tummy so I can't know if it hurts. Her reflexes work fine, and there is not twitching or anything if I touch or press on her tummy. Any ideas? I've seen here that some people say the tummy skin can just darken with age, or with diet. Or it may just be the scooting. Her tummy is on the ground the majority of the day so maybe that's part of it. __________________ Lindsey and Layla, Lucy, and Kash

05-17-2011, 09:01 AM	#2
AlicetheYorkie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 889	I don't know if it's different with Yorkies or if there is any other reason for it, but I have noticed that my 12 yr. old Beagle's belly has definatly gotten darker (like gray instead of pinkish) in the past few years. The only issue she has is hypothyroid, but I have no clue if that has anything to do with it. I think it's just and age thing. __________________ Jenn, mom to: Dayton , Alice ,Darla, Miya , Summer & Chooch

05-17-2011, 09:04 AM	#3
Baroness YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 350	Teddie's belly is grayish brown, I always rub/scratch his belly and call it a little chubby berry. (he digs this for some reason) I don't think it denotes anything bad or wrong with them, I just think it is the melanin in the skin is darker and if hair were allowed to grow longer there it would be darker. __________________ I 'ses my Teddie Monster

05-17-2011, 02:07 PM	#6
linz06 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,154	Well, I just talked to the vet and she said it could be a variety of endocrine issues or allergies or just rubbing her tummy. She has some things to do tonight but said she will call me when she's done in a meeting and if we want, she can meet us at the clinic then (probably around 9:30 tonight). Gotta love small town vets! __________________ Lindsey and Layla, Lucy, and Kash

05-18-2011, 01:41 PM	#9
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	I'd just call and bug her. Ellie's vet admits if she doesn't write it down, then the conversation never happened... __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

05-18-2011, 02:06 PM	#10
linz06 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,154	She told Scott last night that she'd try to fit us in at 6:40 as a huge favor because she is super booked, and then called me immediately after and told me there's no way she could make it because she couldn't skip a meeting, but she would call us later and try to meet us there at night. Maybe her meeting went longer than expected, I'm not sure. But even on the phone she did say if there is no swelling of the tummy, no change in behavior, no sickness, no difference in eating or drinking... that it's probably not urgent although she would see me if I was really worried. After sleeping on it, I'm less worried today lol. It started around a year ago, when Layla went down and we moved to a new house. The vet said it is most likely from rubbing as she scoots, or possibly an allergy. In a few days we are going on holidays for a month and Layla will be with my parents. I know for a fact my mom uses different detergents and things than me, so if it is any sort of allergy to that sort of thing, it might clear up there! __________________ Lindsey and Layla, Lucy, and Kash

05-18-2011, 03:37 PM	#12
alisonJ YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,840	YES!! I noticed Edie's belly turned dark--during a very short period of time about 6 years ago. I was very worried, so we went to the vet. The vet seemed to think everything was OK. I did not notice any other issues, so I decided to let it be. That was a long time ago, and Edie (who is now 10 1/2) is very healthy and as active as a puppy. __________________ Alison--Edith Jones's mother www.edithjonesproject.com

04-09-2016, 07:26 PM	#13
woofwoofwoof Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 114	same here Hi everyone - my 2 year old Yorkie just developed this. His tummy as a pinkish beige and that last week or so I noticed that it's darker and darker. Should I worry. He was having an itching problem but not on his belly, it was more under his tail/groin area. We didn't find fleas. Otherwise, he seems normal energy and personality wise.