Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 5/5/2009

Question
My maltipoo mya is almost 9 months and a couple of months ago i noticed that the skin around the back of her back legs, front legs and ears was turning a deep purplish color.  She is extremely active and extremely jumpy. She is a good eater and a good sleeper.  Is it normal for the skin around her back legs, front legs and ears to be a deep purplish color?

Answer
Francisca -

Is the skin turning colors or is your dog bruising?  If your dog is bruising, you should have her examined by a veterinarian. It is not normal for a Maltese mix to have discolored skin. There is a possibility that her skin appears to be blue because of her light coloring.  Ask your vet to explain the problem. Unfortunately, I cannot diagnose the problem without the benefit of a physical exam.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell,DVM