Posted 2008-04-16 12:49 PM (#82081) Subject: Red gums
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
have a friend that has a horse and his gums are beet red only on the lower half of his mouth. The rest looks normal. No temp. I don't know how to post a picture. But one site I saw said Dark red: indicates enlarged capillaries, due to poisoning or severe dehydration. The veterinarian should be contacted immediately. It's strange that it's only on the lower part of the mouth and it looks like a perfect line across the lower inside mouth...Anyone ever have this before? First for me....I know that the horse is well taken care of so I would tend to think maybe a poison plant in her pasture???? She is waiting on the vet to return her call....
Posted 2008-04-21 5:58 AM (#82338 - in reply to #82081) Subject: RE: Red gums
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
This was the email from the vet..She had sent him pics...
THAT LOOKS LIKE TRAUMA TO ME. HE HAS SOME HOW OR OTHER HIT HIS LOWER GUMS ON SOMETHING. USUALLY INFECTIOUS THINGS WILL LOOK MORE ULCERATED. IF IT WAS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE ALL THE GUMS(TOP & BOTTOM WOULD BE RED. IF JUST THE LOWER FRONT GUM IS INVOLVED HE HAS EITHER FALLEN OR MAYBE SOMEBODY KICKED OR HIT HIM IN THE LOWER JAW.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE MOUTH IS VERY FORGIVING. MOST THINGS WILL RESOLVE IN 5-7 DAYS OR AT LEAST LOOK A WHOLE LOT BETTER. I WOULD NOT WORRY TOO MUCH, BUT KEEP AN EYE ON IT.
Red gums
