Dry Nose Symptoms in Dogs

Being a dog owner brings lot of responsibilities with it, including paying careful attention to your dog’s health. Dry nose is one of the commonly seen health problems in dogs. This article gives some useful information about dry nose symptoms in dogs.
Dry Nose Symptoms in Dogs
When you own a cuddly, playful dog at your home, then it’s your responsibility to look after its health and keep it healthy. Proper feeding, regular grooming and appropriate exercise are the keys to keep your dog healthy. However, your favorite pet can suffer from health problems and dry nose is one of the commonly observed symptoms in dogs. Along with symptoms, you should also look for changes in its behavior.

Dry Nose Symptoms in Dogs

Generally, wet nose of a dog is associated with the dog’s good health. Your dog’s nose remains wet due to humidity produced in the lateral nasal glands of the nose. In case of dehydration, your dog’s nose becomes dry temporarily. A dog that has recovered from a viral infection at an early age, may suffer from dry nose permanently. When your dog is sick, it has an extremely dry nose, which may be associated with fever. Dry nose in dogs is caused mainly by infections, which may affect your dog’s whole body or may be centered in the nose.

There are some changes in the appearance of your dog’s nose at this time. It may become flaky and crusty in texture. There may be loss of pigmentation. If the dog’s nose is cracked, then it can cause extreme pain to the dog. If your dog is ill, then it often has a warm, dry nose along with other symptoms including reduced or loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea or vomiting. However, there may be absence of other physical signs and there may be certain dermatological problems such as Pemphigus Foliaceus in the nasal area.

If your dog’s nose becomes light pink in color, then you should consult the veterinarian about skin protection. It’s considered to be normal, if your dog’s nose becomes dry in the sun, or dry due to cold and becomes moist again when warm. But if it remains dry for a prolonged period, then you should immediately consult the vet. There may be some considerable changes in its behavior. The dog may appear depressed or lethargic.

If your dog is suffering from dry nose, you should give it plenty of liquids more frequently. You can add small quantity of milk to its drinking water. Application of moisturizer is also helpful to keep the nose moist. However, if the condition persists for a long time, then you should take your dog to the veterinarian to seek an appropriate treatment. Dry nose can be one of signs of serious health problems in dogs.

By Reshma Jirage
Published: 9/9/2008
 
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