Should I worry about my Pomeranian puppy's dry nose and white gums when sleeping?

Oh dear! Pale or white gums can be associated with severe anemia, shock, or heart failure - this is a very concerning sign that warrants immediate veterinary attention. A warm dry nose is a pretty non-specific sign that doesn't really mean anything in particular, and a pale or thinning haircoat can be associated with any kind of long-term illness. It sounds like Bae may be seriously ill, so I would recommend taking him to an emergency clinic tonight to be seen. If this isn't possible, then I would take him to your regular veterinarian first thing in the morning. Your veterinarian can do blood work, x-rays, or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem and see what kind of treatment is needed.

The color of the tongue and gums and skin can change shades based on things like hydration level, blood pressure (which is influenced by hydration and activity level), ambient temperature, oxygenation, red blood cell level, etc. In this case, if Brooke's blood pressure is just a little lower because she has been sleeping, then she may appear a little more pale. Shades of pink are good! White, blue, gray, or purple are bad. But often there can be severe medical issues and the gums can still be nice and pink, so it is rarely a true indication of disease.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is actually not necessarily accurate. This does not necessarily mean that he is dehydrated or sick in any way. If he is doing well otherwise, you can just have him evaluated at the time of your appointment on Wednesday. Enjoy your pup! Have a great day!

Healthy puppies have light pink, moist gums. If they are anemic from intestinal parasites the gums will be a paler pink or more whitish. You can press on the gums with your finger and a normal gum will turn white for a second then pink right up again. If the pressed area stays white longer they may be dehydrated also. Fleas can also cause anemia and pale gums. If there is any question about them being healthy please take them in for an exam. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Angel.

White gums can be a sign of anemia or low red blood cells, dehydration, extreme pain or shock. While these conditions are serious, in general I would expect other signs as well. If Xena is her usual self I wouldn't be particularly concerned about her gum color. If she is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, or is vomiting or having diarrhea I'd recommend seeing a veterinarian if at all possible.

Pale pink gums are still normal for a dog. Since you say that Bentley is acting normal, eating and drinking, I would not worry. Check his gums once a day every day for the next few days. Should the gums turn pale or white, you will need to call your vet for an appointment.

Puppies do breathe a bit faster while asleep than adult dogs. An occasional sneeze or nasal drip is fine. Monitor for lethargy, decreased appetite, difficulty breathing or a yellow or green nasal discharge. See your veterinarian for an exam if any of these symptoms develop.