Very Common
Less Common
Rare
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Membranes of Mouth, Gums appear Brown
Summary
There are a few areas on the body that provide important information regarding the state of a horse's circulatory health. These areas include the gums, the pink membrane inside the nostril, the whites of the eyes, and the pink inner vulvar membranes of mares. That said, the simple act of evaluating the color of your horse's gums is actually a very important skill.
True brown (as opposed to red, blue, or purple) mucous membranes are a very rare observation that classically indicates methemoglobinemia, a problem with hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying molecule in red blood cells) caused by nitrate toxicity (usually in the form of fertilizer but sometimes concentrated in certain green plants).
A horse with truly brown mucous membranes likely exhibits other signs of serious illness like high heart and respiratory rates, depression and loss of appetite. However, horses that graze certain kinds of grasses can also have dark stained (brown to black) gums.
True brown (as opposed to red, blue, or purple) mucous membranes are a very rare observation that classically indicates methemoglobinemia, a problem with hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying molecule in red blood cells) caused by nitrate toxicity (usually in the form of fertilizer but sometimes concentrated in certain green plants).
A horse with truly brown mucous membranes likely exhibits other signs of serious illness like high heart and respiratory rates, depression and loss of appetite. However, horses that graze certain kinds of grasses can also have dark stained (brown to black) gums.
-
Code Red
Call Your Vet Immediately, Even Outside Business Hours- If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) in the resting horse indicate fever (Temp>101F/38.3C), or heart rate greater than 48 BPM.
- If the horse seems to be breathing rapidly despite not having exercised.
-
Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If the horse's appetite and attitude are normal and you see nothing else wrong.
your role
What To Do
Reexamine your horse's gums in different light. Always check both sides of the mouth if you think your horse's gums are a strange color. Wipe the gums clean with a moist paper towel. There may be material on the gums that is confusing your interpretation. Keep in mind that dull, toxic or dehydrated mucous membranes more commonly have a reddish, blueish or purplish appearance.When in doubt, assess your horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to capillary refill rate and heart rate. Look for other signs of illness or disease. Especially check the color of the whites of the eyes, and if the horse is a mare, check the appearance of the vulvar membranes for comparison. If your horse was possibly exposed to nitrates or other toxins, share any pertinent information on the product label with your vet.
Contact your vet with your findings and concerns.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Your vet may advise you to take a "wait and see" approach or suggest that they examine your horse. Much of this will depend on history and the presence or absence of other concerning signs.
If an exam is recommended, your vet will assess your horse's general health to try to determine the nature of the finding. Blood work and additional diagnostics may provide additional important information.
If an exam is recommended, your vet will assess your horse's general health to try to determine the nature of the finding. Blood work and additional diagnostics may provide additional important information.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Does your horse seem normal otherwise?
- Have you checked the color of the mucus membranes in different light? Are you confident in your find
- Is the horse kept on pasture?
- Is the horse pastured with other horses?
- Are other horses exhibiting similar signs?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
- Is it possible your horse has had exposure to a toxic substance?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
