The staining you are referring to is most likely caused by a substance called Porphyrin. Porphyrin is a naturally occurring substance in the tears and saliva and tends to show up as a pink/brown colour where your pet has licked, dribbled or produced lots of tears.

Your dog may be allergic to pollen, dust mites, mold spores, grasses, and a whole host of other common environmental allergens. You might see your dog licking their paws, rubbing their face or shaking their head after time outside, along with scratching, rubbing and hair loss on their legs, sides, and belly.

Fleas, allergies, dry skin, insect stings – even boredom and anxiety can all cause intense scratching. Don’t wait until the area is raw. Check your dog’s chin and neck to see if anything seems peculiar. If it’s nothing you can remove right away, such as an insect or a twig, give your vet a call.

Viral papillomas are classically “fimbriated,” meaning they are round but often have a rough, almost jagged surface reminiscent of a sea anemone or a cauliflower. They occur usually on the lips and muzzle of a young dog (usually less than 2 years of age).

Gum disease (see Dental Disorders of Dogs : Gum Disease), is the most common oral problem in small animals. Other causes for oral inflammatory conditions include immune system disease, chemical agents, infections, trauma, metabolic disease, developmental abnormalities, burns, radiation treatment, and cancer.

Antibiotics have been proven effective in reducing inflammation of a dog’s oral cavity. In some cases, teeth will need to be surgically removed to reduce the inflammation. Teeth cleaning and proper dental and oral health should also ensure a quick recovery and good health for the dog.

If you look inside the dog’s mouth, there will often be swelling and redness on the gums around the affected tooth. If swelling and infection has extended behind the eye your pet may react with a painful response if you attempt to open his mouth.

When a dog is suffering from tooth pain, he may not eat as much as he usually does because it may be hurting him to chew. You may notice him start eating and then abruptly stop. He also may whine when eating or spit out his food.

There are special NSAIDs designed just for dogs, and there might be some occasions when you can give your dog a human medication. For example, your vet might recommend that you give your dog aspirin under their supervision. NSAIDs for dogs include: Carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl)

Here are four botanical remedies for dogs that have natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

• Turmeric. Perhaps the best-known and most widely used medicinal herb to treat joint pain and inflammation is turmeric.
• Boswellia serrata.
• Cinnamon.
• Hawthorn.

Muscle tears are treated immediately with rest, cold compresses, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Mild compression bandages can be used initially, depending on the affected muscle. Additional pain control may be required if the NSAID is not sufficient.