my chihuahuas stomach turned purple overnight, it looks bruised but has been that way for a month now is this normal

by sonie
(indiana)

I have a 14 week old miniature chihuahua whose stomach turned a very dark purple overnight. She is still active although it does look like she has lost weight.

She also has a cyst like knot bulging from her groin area. I am concerned about the color of her stomach and hoping my son didn't hurt her. Is it normal for puppies stomachs to change colors overnight like that?

I will be taking her to the vet soon to get the cyst like knot checked out but wanted an answer about the stomach color sooner.






Hi Sonie
I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian and I can't say that I know what's causing this discoloration, but there are a few possibilities.

Dog allergies of some sort could be responsible, perhaps a dog food allergies or contact allergy to something like bedding, carpet, grass and so on.

Or it could be a yeast infection, or some other kind of skin infection or irritation. Only your veterinarian will be able to make an accurate diagnosis I'm afraid.

The 'knot' you mention in her groin could be a swollen lymph node of some sort - that would be possible if she has an infection or some sort. Or perhaps it's a hernia of some kind. Usually in dogs these are on the abdomen, around the umbilical cord area, but I suppose it's possible they could occur in other areas of muscle wall.

I'd definitely recommend that you have your pup examined by your vet just as soon as you can, that way you can put your mind at rest and if your little girl needs any treatment she'll get it.

Best of luck, hope she's doing much better soon.