My Puggle Odie

Question
Odie is a 7 mth old puggle. He has black lips that have started to change in color to pink. What is causing this??? Should I take him to our vet???

Answer
He could have vitiglio. It is a harmless condition that causes loss of pigmentation.
Here is what the Merck Veterinary Manual says:

"Pigmentary abnormalities may be acquired, and some of these may be hereditary or familial as in vitiligo. As a familial disease, vitiligo is best recognized in Arabian horses (Arabian fading syndrome, pinky syndrome); it may also be familial in cattle (Holstein-Friesian), Siamese cats, and in some breeds of dogs (Belgian Tervuren, Rottweiler).Affected animals develop somewhat symmetric macular depigmentation of the skin that occasionally also affects the hair coat and claws or hooves. The onset is usually in young adulthood. Most lesions are on the face, especially the muzzle or planum nasale or around the eyes. Depigmentation may wax and wane. Complete remission may occur but is rare. There is no accompanying systemic or cutaneous pathology. No treatment is available; treatments used in people with vitiligo are unlikely to provide significant cosmetic results in animals."

He could just have a gene that causes it. It can also be from bowls sometimes. Certain types of bowls will cause pigment loss if the dog eats out of them over and over. I think it's plastic ones.
I will find out for you but in the mean time I wouldn't worry about it. You can always call the vet and ask them to ask the vet about it.