Question:
My 7 year old female Rottweiller has had a nose infection for about a month. I have been to my vet and she perscribed pills that slightly cleared it up but it is back to where it was two weeks ago. My dogs nose is dry and cracked with dried mucus and organic material that comes out. My pet loves to push rocks, balls, etc. with her nose so I don't know whether the organic material was up her nose or just on the outside. I can't afford to keep going back to my vet and the other options she gave were unpleasant (fungal or tumor). Please help. Chris (cltotten)

Answer:
For that dog, the description of the lesion is not clear, but i would
suggest a homepathic product called PETROLEUM 5 CH.

The dog should receive 3 granules orally 3 times a day.

The owner should avoid having the dog play in any playground covered with
motor oil, which could be a cause for the present problem.

Paul Guindon DMV
Clinique veterinaire Salaberry
Medecine conventionnelle et holystique
1895 Salaberry, Montreal, QC
514-334-7280

Answer:
the problem is two fold: the nose dryness issue as well as the infection that may or may not have caused it. the infection may be either systemic or localized to the nose. it could be that she flipped over a rock or something that had a plant/ fungus that was toxic or to which she was allergic. the dryness and infection problem can be attacked by using polysporin or bactrim or some antibiotic in an emolient cream. Polymicidin, gramicidin and anitfungal products like nystatin can be used. sometimes a little bit of vaseline would work. in either event, put the stuff on while she is going to stay inside as she would otherwise just get her nose covered again with goop. some people have put the products on the inside of their pet's nose. a little bit goes a long way. Knowing dogs, she will probably try to lick it off. It sounds as if the problem is localized to her nose as you have described no other symptoms. A systemic infection would manifest itself in vastly more noticeable symptoms- sluggishness, colorful and/or purulent discharge, ear infection etc...she should be given water more often than she is currently; sometimes dogs dont' drink as much as they should. a trick to get her to drink more water is to put a small amount of 2% evaporated milk in her water. maybe 15 ml or a tbsp would do the trick.
i have seen one dog ( bulldog ) with such a dry nose that it had cracked so much that it looked like a very old straw broom. Rather ghastly looking but the dog didn't seem to mind and his owner didn't seem to notice.

have you noticed any other changes in your dog's coat or nails? any problems on the skin such as small scales or circles? itchiness?

Answer:
Mark,
Thank you for the advice for my dogs nose infection. She is doing much better now. Her nose is moist again and the cracks are healing. She never had any of the other problems you described at the end of your response (skin, nail or coat changes). Thank you again for your help. She is always pushing things when we go for walks of camping that I am always aware of something getting stuck up her nose, but I can't always be watching.



Thank you,

Christina T. and Sadie the Rottweiller

Answer:
Our Rottweiler cross has had a similar problem for the last 2 months. We are now on our 3rd round of antibiotics for 2 secondary bacterial infections (staph and strepp). But the primary cause of the purulent mucous discharge remains unknown.On a daily basis it crusts over his nostril and has to be removed. The color is a brownish green. We have had him x-rayed, nothing apparent, and currently are waiting on a fungal culture. He's getting worse. He's approx 2.5 years old, an adoption from the local shelter.He only leaves his bed if bid or if nature calls. He lies down with his bowl between his paws to eat dinner and takes about 1/2 hr and doesn't finish it all. He is miserable and we are holding out for any hope.
Thank you in advance for any response.

Answer:
I know this thread is old - I hope someone reads this! I have had the same type of problem with Baloo's nose. He's a 9 yr. old Weimaraner. First it just looked really dry and cracked - I thought it was dried up rawhide, what I usually refer to as "bone nose". Now his nose and upper lip area are crusted and have a green color to them. The areas are also shedding or peeling, and his nose is sounding "stuffy". He also has developed white crusty bumps around both eyes and is scratcing at them to the point of scabbing. I haven't had him to a vet yet, for a few days all the above conditions seemed to be improving, but now have taken a turn for the worse. His behavior, eating and drinking habits are completely normal. I have been rubbing neosporin on the nose and upper lip, but he licks at it (I'm not sure that's healthy) and immediately goes to his water dish to rinse his nose. Any input would be helpful - Thanks!

Answer:
I would get him to a vet asap. It took a long time for the vets to diagnose our dog. By the time we got to the root of the problem, we had to resort to intense treatments. In the end it was too late.

Hope it helps.

Answer:
Veerodder, I hope you will take your dog to the vet. Most problems are easier and less expensive if treated early rather than later after a condition has been allowed to manifest. Your pet is suffering and needs help.

Answer: