Spinstorm Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Over the last several weeks Poppy had been digging and poking her nose into the ground and anywhere else and she started getting cuts all over her nose; as it was healing the skin then started peeling where her nose (which is pink) met her fur at the top. This got worse and she kept scratching her nose everyday pretty much; so it was always bleeding somewhere. So we took her to the vet; the vet said it could be nothing just a result of her having a sensitive nose or it could be an autoimmune response where her body is attacking the pigmentation (or something like that) and so they took some biopsies. Poor Poppy has three separate stitches (one on each side and in the middle) and she doesn’t look like a very pretty girl at all! And even those aren’t exactly healing well. Her nose doesn’t look at all nice. And I am sure its painful and she is having to where the cone of shame to try and stop her poking it anywhere or to have her scratch it. She in herself is fine and has been fine - of course she isn’t a very happy doggy now - due to her painful nose etc; but she hasn’t acted like she had any issues except the nose. We expect the biopsy result probably Tuesday (as Monday is a holiday in the UK) and hopefully nothing comes up there. Has anyone got any experience of this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfpup Posted May 3, 2021 Report Share Posted May 3, 2021 Afraid not experienced anything like this, although are you sure she cut her nose, or did you just see the scabs? The reason for asking is that if you only saw the scabs which were annoying her and she then scratched them, then it might be a zinc deficiency. However if you saw the cuts themselves first then it definitely isn't. Hope the results come back clear for you (and her). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinstorm Posted May 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 She definitely cut her nose. Quite a few times however the scabs may not be a result of the cut nose. Looking at some photos I can see some crusting of the skin. Will have to wait for the results - zinc deficiency would be easy to resolve. An immune problem is very bad. And I’m not sure how long she would survive and she isn’t even 2. And to have a serious problem like that after just losing Flash to cancer would be very harsh. Also these poor doggies don’t deserve this. All they do is give love and loyalty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfpup Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 Please keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinstorm Posted May 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2021 I’m feeling frustrated with this. The biopsies didn’t show anything, and a eye specialist was called in to check her eyes as apparently they can see if there are signs on autoimmune in the eyes. And that was clear as well. So the vet suggested we give her zinc supplements and she has been having those for 3 days but her nose doesn’t look good. There is definitely loss of pigmentation down the sides and there is also now a tiny spot/boil at the top of her nose. It is very small but it’s there. In herself she is fine. She is not acting like there is any issue but this vet doesn’t really seem to know what is going on. I really wonder if a second opinion would be good. Right now where we are is that the vet said leave her for a few weeks give her the supplements and see how it develops but personally I think there is something else going on whether it’s autoimmune or something else and that zinc and sun cream won’t fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfpup Posted May 22, 2021 Report Share Posted May 22, 2021 Zinc deficiency should be relatively easy to confirm. Giving extra zinc to a dog that does not need it can cause other problems - it cometes with other nutrients the body needs. If it turns out to be an immune problem - I would suggest seeing an holistic vet (a good one) there are things that can be done to try and regulate the immune system - but regular vets are not trained for this. Will keep my fingers crossed for you both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinstorm Posted June 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2021 She has been having zinc for about 2 weeks now and her nose does look better than it does but I’m not sure it’s down to the zinc. I visited a different vet just to see what they thought on Tuesday and they said give the zinc another week to two weeks before they move onto the next possible treatment. She said that they are starting with zinc, then move to antibiotics and vitamin A/E to rule out the next possible cause before moving to steroids if it’s immune. I saw the biopsy report and it basically says they aren’t sure what it is - and that the vet should work through the treatments. The vet says that they need to try each treatment for a few weeks to see if it fixes the problem and therefore they know the cause. Whilst this makes sense in the meantime if it’s an immune issue her nose is going to get worse and worse. That is something I’m not happy about. Whilst the condition of her nose has improved slightly it still isn’t right and it seems to be spreading to under her nostril now which has skin drying up. I’m sure that will not be comfortable to her. The second opinion vet did say she thinks it’s autoimmune but the symptoms are exactly the same for zinc, skin problems caused by bacteria and for immune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfpup Posted June 5, 2021 Report Share Posted June 5, 2021 Please keep us updated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinstorm Posted June 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2021 Under her nostrils is definitely starting to get sore and peel now and she seems to be snorting occasionally. Probably because it’s sore. I think it will be a visit to the vet on Monday but I imagine they will suggest antibiotics and vitamin. Although probably what she needs is steroids and I believe that this is probably autoimmune. I don’t think it’s a bad case. It’s just focusing on her nose. But will have to see what the vet says next week. Any suggestions on anything that I can do to make under her nostrils more comfortable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfpup Posted June 6, 2021 Report Share Posted June 6, 2021 The problem is that without knowing what is causing it - whatever you put on to allieviate the problem/discomfort could make it worse. You do not say which country you are from - UK/USA/Au. Just on the offchance it is some type of immune system / allergy - the posts below might help. https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/allergy-relief-for-dogs-top-ten-remedies/?utm_source=klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Content%3A Allergy Stuff %2B 35% Off BC Non Buyers Ends Tonight - Apr 28 (WaXqT6)&_ke=eyJrbF9jb21wYW55X2lkIjogIkM0WXlWOSIsICJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJjaHJpc3NpZTEyM0BidGludGVybmV0LmNvbSJ9 https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cooked-foods-causing-allergies-in-dogs/?utm_source=klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Content%3A Allergy Stuff %2B 35% Off BC Non Buyers Ends Tonight - Apr 28 (WaXqT6)&_ke=eyJrbF9jb21wYW55X2lkIjogIkM0WXlWOSIsICJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJjaHJpc3NpZTEyM0BidGludGVybmV0LmNvbSJ9 https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/colostrum-for-dog-allergies/ https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/colostrum-benefits-for-dogs/ General immune system: https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/?s=immune+system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinstorm Posted June 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2021 Thank you for those links. I’ll check them out. I suggested to the vet steroid ointment/cream as that is what I read online. He agreed to try it - he said essentially that it’s just her nose and so he would never suggest full steroids but cream was fine as it’s localised. It’s been about two weeks and I have to say her nose looks a lot better. It is still very sore at the tip and but the skin isn’t crusting and coming off and the underside of her nose has totally healed. It’s pink but looks the same kind of pink as the photo I put up originally. Over the previous month it was bright pink and looked sore. Now it looks more or less normal. In herself she is looking a lot happier although she doesn’t really enjoy the 10 minutes of no licking twice a day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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