03 December 2023 , 08:00
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An astonished dog owner did not know what to do when her puppy was born with green fur.
Dog lovers know there is nothing more stunning that a newborn puppy's soft fur coat. But can imagine the shock when one woman was expecting a tiny Golden Retriever to be born, and was greeted by a green-coloured puppy.
Joanna Justice, from Wermelskirchen, north Germany, was given the shock of her life in 2019 when her Golden Retriever Melody gave birth to nine puppies, including one with green-tinted fur. The dog owner decided to name the unique puppy 'Mojito' - after the famous green-coloured cocktail.
A dog owner got the shock of her life when one of her Golden Retriever's puppies was born mint green (CEN/ Joanna Justice)She said at the time: "I was very worried at first when he was born. But we are pleased all nine puppies are well." The rare condition is thought to happen when light-coloured puppies come into contact with biliverdin - a green pigment found in bile - the same pigment we get when bruises turn green.
The bile dyed Mojito's fur in Melody's womb when it dislodged. It is most visible on light-coloured breeds such as Labradors, is harmless and wears off after a few weeks. If the levels of Biliverdin are particularly high, the pigment can then stain the puppy's coat.
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There are no known health risks of the pigment and the green tinge eventually fades as the puppy grows. Mojito is happy and healthy despite his unusual colouring.
Canine chef and dog expert Kiki Kane told The Dog People: "A chemical called biliverdin, which makes bile (and sometimes healing bruises) turn green is the culprit behind the unique colour. The level of biliverdin in the birth sac was uncommonly high, staining his/her fur. The condition is not dangerous, just rare."
Mirror Online previously reported on another dog, named Pistachio, who also turned green. He was born on a Sardinian farm, with owner Cristian Mallocci saying he couldn't believe his eyes when one of his eight dogs gave birth to the rare pup.
While his siblings were all born with creamy white fur, Pistachio had a very obvious green tinge to his. The adorable pup's tinge came from a rare pigmentation after mixing with amniotic fluid.