Pigment loss & bleeding nose

[Kathleen]

Greetings from Montana! I've briefly checked through past topics and did not see this one posted, but I might have missed it. Our shelter-rescued dog, Winter, has lost the pigmentation in her nose (she's a German shorthaired pointer cross, 3 years old). The vets are noncommittal about it, suggesting that it's an auto-immune disease affecting the face only (not systemic lupus). Discoid lupus is a possibility, according to my research. A couple years ago a veterinarian put her on steroids, but it changed her personality for the worse, and her personality is not great to start with! Then we used a topical steroid with minimal effect (she licks it off--same with sunscreen).

The problem is worsened by sunlight. During shoulder seasons (spring & fall) she likes to lie in the sun because it feels good. When summer arrives, the sun is too intense and she mostly stays out of it. During the winter, her condition improves greatly. She's in bad shape right now--her nose is pink, raw, and fragile, crusty around the edges, and bleeding. It doesn't seem painful, though. She must be part bloodhound, because she lives to smell the smells and her nose is always on the ground, which leads to scraping and more bleeding.

It appears that it will be a life-long issue. I'm thinking I'll try vitamin E after a little more research--while it might not help, it probably won't hurt. Has anyone else had to deal with this--successfully, or otherwise? Thanks!

[latergatorj]

Kathleen:

Please repost your question to http://p069.ezboard.com/Health-Forum...fordogsandcats

There is a Veterinarian on this site who has answered similar questions to the one you just put forth. Maybe there will be people on this site that can help, but it's always best to spread your questions on as many places as you can find to try and find an answer. :-)

Good luck. Welcome to this forum.

[Tucker'sMom]

Originally Posted by Kathleen

She must be part bloodhound, because she lives to smell the smells and her nose is always on the ground, which leads to scraping and more bleeding.

While I cannot help you with your specific problem, I can tell you that GSP's are part bloodhound. Originally the Germans bred Spanish Pointers with the German variety of the bloodhound. Just a little tid-bit for you. Good luck, please post what you find out to help everyone out! Thanks!

[Kathleen]

Thank you, latergatorj. I checked out the website--used the search feature for "nose" and "nose pigment" and came up empty. Guess I'll have to register and ask for myself. (That site wants more personal info than I like giving...)

Tucker's Mom, I didn't know that! But it makes perfect sense. She's smart as can be, motivated, and has a fantastic sniffer; she'd have made a great search & rescue dog. Thanks for the info.

[Tucker'sMom]

Your welcome, Kathleen. Please let us know what progress you make with her.

[latergatorj]

No problem, please let us know what you learn and what ends up happening. :-)

[Kathleen]

Hi again...I received some info from Dr. Welton on the other website (recommended by Latergatorj--thanks so much!). He said that tacrolimus ointment is the best thing for this condition (which I described as possibly discoid lupus). It's a prescription drug, an immunosuppressant for things like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis in humans. Another poster included a picture of her German shepherd, with the same signature pink nose!

Here's a link to the post
Pigment loss & bleeding nose

I'll let you know how the ointment works. Thanks again.