It was a rainy July day when dog owner Hope walked into Potts Point Vet Hospital with her labradoodle, Polly Ester. Polly wasn't there for a vaccine, she hadn't even been sick. She was there because she had turned orange.

Hope explained: "It happened so quickly! One day Polly was her normal, caramel colored self and literally the next day she was completely orange! I didn't know what to do so I made an appointment at our trusted vet hospital. PPVH saw us right away."

Polly's condition, known amongst the veterinary profession as carotenosis cutis, is a rare one. It occurs when an animal ingests high levels off beta-carotene, the substance in carrots which gives them their orange color.  The night prior to Polly turning orange, she had eaten an entire bag of carrots. Hope explained "I always thought they were a safe, healthy treat and good for her teeth!"

Luckily for Polly, her prognosis was good. The beta-carotene only affects the pigment in the hair shaft and has very few systemic effects. Her hair turned back to its normal color in approximately six weeks. "It was embarrassing for sure, but I'm just happy she's alright."

Polly isn't the only dog that has suffered from carotenosis. The dog pictured below, Alfie, was the first described case of the condition. He turned from jet black to orange in the matter of twenty-four hours after eating approximately six large carrots.

Orange was the new black for Alfie.

Let this be a warning to all pet owners, and please adhere to the general one-carrot-per-day recommendation.

Many owners give their dogs carrots to maintain strong, healthy teeth.  Check out our dental health handout for some other dental tips!