LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Comments

Hi Jessica,

This is certainly worth letting your vet take a look at. If the only symptom was the color fading, I could chalk this up to a case of winter nose. A lack of sunlight sometimes causes a dog's nose to fade during the winter, but the pigment usually darkens again during spring and summer when the sun is closer. However, you mention the tip is bleeding. Is there a possibility your dog was nipped by a wild animal? It could have happened if he was sniffing around and found a critter denning someplace on your property. Depending on your windchill factor, the nose might also have a little frost bite. Really, the best thing you can do is let your vet examine the tissue to figure out what's going on.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a very small dog, and i live in alaska. When i take him outside to use the bathroom i only leave him out long enough to do it but the other day i noticed his nose was losing its (black) color and was raw. It is bleeding on the tip and he wont stop licking it. Im really worried about it and that he might be in pain. What can I do?

-- Contributed by: Jessica

Hi Connie,

The best thing you can do is let your vet examine your dog's nose to determine exactly why it's crusting over. Sometimes it's due to a virus, othertimes it's a symptom of an auto-immune disease. The crusting can also cause soars, so be sure to ask your vet if there's a salve you can use to protect the delicate skin.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your vet is able to provide a useful treatment for your dog.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog's nose has covered over and hard for her to breath, I've tried warm water to soften and got the cover off of it but still problems really breathing good. What can I do?

-- Contributed by: Connie

Hi Lisa,

You might want to ask your vet if corticosteroids would be of any help in your dog's situation. They are good for calming inflammations and may help your dog's nose heal. Also, your vet should begin investigating a possible food allergy. Food reactions typically begin on a dog's face and work their way through the body.

These are just two suggestions, but it will probably take a lot more testing by your vet to reveal what is really causing your dog's skin problems. I hope you're able to find out what's going on so the vet can prescribe the most effective treatment.

Thank you for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi. I am having a similar problem with my 10 yr old German Shepherd. He has a crusty nose. He has been to the vet and was initially prescribed prednisilone - it seemed to help a little but not much. He went back and was prescribed two antihistimines. Dr. wanted to see him back in the winter to see if it is a seasonal thing. The antihistimines are not helping. Now he is scratching his back and his tummy a lot and the crustiness is primarily on one side of his nose and is getting worse. He also seems to have like a white powdery type stuff on his coat when you scratch him or brush him. He is his usual lively self, but the itchiness seems to be bothering him quite a bit. I have looked at pictures online of the lupus people mentioned but that looks completely different from this crustiness. These aren'e lesions or sores - it is just like the black part of his nose is just drying up and scabbing from his runny nose but it seems to be taking over one side of his nose. Any ideas?

-- Contributed by: Lisa

Hi Dave,

Since this looks like it's an ongoing problem, it would be a good idea to have your vet give your dog a check up. It's possible that a simple round of antibiotics might clear up the problem. Let the crust build up again right before the appointment so your vet can examine a sample.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope it doesn't turn out to be anything serious.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a 6 year old mixed terrier that has some grayish crusty stuff in his nose. he sneezes a lot recently since he's had the crust forming in his nose. it only forms on one side luckily, and it whistles when he breathes. we just had hard wood flooring put down, which was the only major change to his environment. i removed some of the stuff but it came back.

-- Contributed by: Dave

Hi Pam,

Yes, dogs do get a cold-like virus. It sounds as though your dog may have conjuctivitis, so a trip to the vet may be in order. You can remove the discharge with a warm wet paper towel that you should throw away immediately afterward. If his condition doesn't improve in the next day or two, go ahead and make an appointment.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog recovers quickly.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my 8 year old wheaten terrior has all of a sudden become tired and his eyes are seeping a whiteish yellow fluid when and should i become alarmed his nose is cold like normal and he seems to be eating and drinking fine his ears are fine and other than being tired hes not acting sick. could it be a coldor do dogs get colds

-- Contributed by: Pam

Hi Cindy,

I'm sorry to hear your pet's condition is deteriorating. It sounds like it is time for another consultation with your vet about whether anything further can be done. Together, the two of you can look at your remaining care options, and also evaluate the quality of your dog's life. It is more difficult for a senior pet to rally against an illness than a younger dog, so this is something else to think about as you weigh your options. If you do decide euthanasia is the kindest option, please take heart in the fact that you did your best to provide your dog with the medical care he needed. He has been very lucky to have you care for him.

Best wishes, whatever you decide.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 12.5 year old silkie who was diagnosed with Primary Addison's 10 months ago. He takes Prednisone and Fludrocort but seems to be worsening. He has a unquenchable thirst and constant need to pee. He has developed a crusty nose that is not peeling but very hard. His abdomen is started swelling and he is now blind in 1 eye. Could there be something else going on besides the Addison's? I have spent a fortune on this baby but I can't keep it up. Please help.

-- Contributed by: Cindy Drye
> Return to article