Owning your own dog can bring so much joy to your life, as well as being a loyal companion to you too. People all over the world love to take pride in taking care of their dogs and doing everything they can for them. However, from time to time, things happen that are completely out of the owners control and the dog may have some problems that may need special attention. One of these problems includes nasal pigmentation problems.
Nasal pigmentation problems
There are several problems that can occur with nasal pigmentation in dogs and some are more common than others. Some common nasal pigmentation problems include:
Dudley Nose
You may notice that the pigmentation on your dog’s nose has spontaneously changed for no apparent reason. If so, there is no need to be alarmed as this condition is likely to be Dudley’s nose and is not known to be the cause of any disease or anything serious.
The nasal plane will look normal with the only difference being that the color is a bit lighter than it is supposed to be. Basically it happens when a young dog may start out with a black nose, but as it gets a bit older the nose changes to brown and sometimes pink or white. No one knows what causes dogs to suffer from this condition or what actually triggers it. It’s just something that happens spontaneously and doesn’t cause the dog any problems.
Vitiglio
Vitiglio is a condition that is more common in certain breeds of dogs and is a dispigmentation of the skin in patches of white hair or pale skin. The problem with Vitiglio is that it can actually affect the nasal plane as well. Also, the thing is, there are no treatments available to help treat this condition. So really, the best thing you can do is dab some sunscreen on their noses when they’re out in the sun. It can occur in certain breeds such as Poodles, Pointers, Irish Setters, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Samoyeds, and Afghan Hounds.
snow nose
A term called snow nose is applied to dogs that lose their nose pigmentation during the winter months, but it darkens again in the spring and summer months. One thing that hasn’t been shown to work but can help is vitamin E and it’s completely safe to try on your dog. The condition itself is believed to be caused by a lack of sunlight, which is why the color returns in the spring and summer months. One thing to note is that complete depigmentation does not occur in this condition. Therefore, if your dog is suffering from complete depigmentation, it is not snow nose and you should see your local vet for a true diagnosis.
Lupus erythematosus
This medical condition can cause pigmentation problems and there are two main types of the condition that can affect dogs. As with Vitiglio, Lupus Erythematosus can affect certain breeds and with this condition it is usually German Shepherd, Collie, Shetland Sheepdog and also mixed breeds. In addition to the dog losing pigment in the nose, you may also notice swelling and flaking on the face, as well as lesions on the ears. If you notice any of the symptoms, it’s likely lupus erythematosus and not just a simple pigmentation condition that doesn’t cause any problems.
Pigmentation problems are common in certain breeds of dogs and usually do not cause much of a problem. To protect your nose, it is possible to purchase creams that can help prevent it from becoming dry and sore. Vitamin E cream is particularly good, and many people find that it really works for their dogs. The only real problem that pigmentation issues usually cause is in the show ring. Many breeds will be disqualified for not meeting the breed standard due to lack of color on the nose.
Your vet will be able to advise you on the best treatment for the problem. Remember that it is not usually a problem, but any change in your dog’s health is always worth checking out.