Dry Nose?

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Maggie's nose is really dry.  A little piece of the black nose (on top) has rubbed off even.  I am putting vasoline on it.  Any suggestions or experience with that?

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Laurie - You're right!  I will worry until I know.  Thanks for agreeing that she is beautiful!  I definitely think so!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

UPDATE - Thanks to all of you great people I have been researching online to figure out what to do about Maggie's nose where the black part was rubbed off & it was raw & exposed.  The vasoline wasn't working very well.  I started freaking out thinking that she had lupus or who knows what.  I do think she probably will have this issue (hyper-keratosis), but it can be managed.  I tried using vitamin E oil instead of the vasoline & it has worked like a charm!  We've been doing it for a week now exactly and it is almost completely healed.  So...I'm thinking that's what it is & I'm not so worried.  Now, if it comes back or gets worse, etc., then I will certainly discuss this with the vet & may have to try other tests or treatments.  But...in my opinion, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"  I AM SO RELIEVED!!!!  Thanks for all your help!!!

[Ann Kendig]

Glad to hear things are OK.  : )  I feel bad that I maybe scared a few of you about the Lupus.  This is a picture of my foster that has discoid lupus.  Notice how dry his nose is.  There were 2 vets that saw him and neither one of them seemed concerned.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Ann,

Thanks for the information and the picture!  I was scared, but I am very glad you gave me the information about discoid lupus.  Just in case.  You  never know.  I wouldn't want her to suffer from a condition that nobody told me about because they thought I'd be too worried.  I will definitely keep an eye on it & continue the vitamin E.  From what I read, vitamin E can't hurt anything so no reason to stop using it I guess.  When I read about this hyper-keratosis, it also said that stress can make it worse, and I'm figuring that Maggie was taken from the only home she'd ever known for a whole year, so it is probable that that is what made it flair up.  So, I'm cautiously optimistic it is nothing worse.  But...I will definitely let you all know if it starts looking bad again.  Your foster's nose looks so dry, it looks painful.  That is so sad.

[Ann Kendig]

You're welcome Traci. : )  I don't know anything about hyper-keratosis.  I need to read up on it.  I believe Ralphie was leaking urine and drinking quite a bit of water so they took him to the vet.  The vet did some bloodwork and a biopsy to diagnose Ralphie.  While he was here his nose never seemed to bother him at all.  His new mom reports that he is doing well and responding to his medications.  Yay!

It is a good thing that Maggie has you to love and look after her.  : )

[Ann Kendig]

I had emailed Ralphie's mom earlier today and she responded a few moments ago.  Here is what she said about the discoid lupus...

After the 4th of July he was diagnosed with discoid lupus. He had a fair amount of sun exposure and the pigment in his nose was turning pink. Because of the pigment change…the vets did a biopsy and blood work and that was how they determined it was DL. It was not diagnosed before that pigment change. The only thing we have to do for it is limit sun exposure and cover his nose with sunscreen! I carry a stick with me in the summer! lol. 

[Theresa & Duncan]

I know this is an older post l but I came across it the other night when searching for "dry nose". Duncan has had a similar problem lately, and yesterday we applied coconut oil and it has worked wonders! It's completely edible too, so no worries if they lick at it. Just wanted to share :)