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What a Dry Dog Nose Might Indicate

also see Dog Nose

There are many things that can make a dog nose dry; the dryness is not necessarily necessarily an indication of an illness or infection. A dog's nose can regulalarly change between hot and cold or wet and dry. A dog's nose can be dry after having just woken up, or if the dog is dehydrated or has been sleeping under a heat source. This article will discuss symptoms that, when accompanying your dog's dry nose, call for a trip to the vet.

Prolong Dryness and Other Symptoms

Take your dog to the vet if his dry dog nose lasts longer than a couple of days in combination with:

A dermatological problem such as pemphigus foliaceus is possible your canine's dry nose continues for more than two days without other symptoms.

Texture and Color

Reasons to call the vet include a crusty, flaky dry dog nose with scabs or sores, and a loss of pigmentation on the dog's nose. These are all signs of a dog nose infection. Take your dog to the vet immediately if its nose is dry for a long time with cracks or open sores.

Some Causes of Dry Nose

Allergies and sensitivity to plastic can cause dryness. Use stainless steel or ceramic bowls to remedy this problem. Sunburn can affect a dog's nose. Because dogs are prone to sunburn they may need you to apply lotion to their noses. A dog with continuous exposure to the sun can develop skin cancer on its nose. Consult a veterinarian about what type of sunscreen to use on your dog's nose.

Possible Medical Problems

A dog with a runny nose accompanied by coughing, sneezing, wheezing and difficulty breathing needs a visit to the vet. Your dog may have a respiratory infection, an obstruction in its nose or a tumor in the nasal passage.

Why are Dogs Noses Wet?

There a few theories about why dogs noses are wet. One theory is that a dog's nose is wet because the dog constantly licks its nose. Another belief is that a dog's nose needs moisture to help capture scents. Whatever may be the reason for the dog's nose being wet, it can be dry from time to time without it necessarily being the sign of a problem. Chronic dry nose, however, should be mentioned to the vet.

 

also see How Hypoallergenic Dog Food Can Prevent Intestinal and Skin Problems

also see Treating Dog Allergies: The Do's and Don'ts

also see Lick Granulomas

also see Allergy Problems in Dogs