There are several possible causes of a dry, cracked , crusty looking nose on your dog. The most common cause is called idiopathic nasal hyperkeratosis. Idiopathic nasal hyperkeratosis occurs in middle aged to older brachycephalic dogs like Cocker spaniels, boxers, and bulldogs. In addition to idiopathic nasal hyperkeratosis: infections, inherited conditions, immune disease, and neurologic dysfunction can all cause dry crusty noses in dogs.
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Idiopathic nasal hyperkeratosis
Idiopathic hyperkeratosis of the nose is the result of excess accumulation of hardened (keratinized) skin on the top of your dog’s nose. This is secondary to an accelerated rate of cornification (the process of the body making the hardened skin layer on the nose and paw pads). The top of the nose and foot pads can have frond-like projections from excess keratin buildup. This condition is generally not painful and is considered a mostly cosmetic issue. Rarely, dogs can develop splits in the tissue (fissures) and these can bleed and be painful . Fissures can predispose dogs to infection at the sites. Nasal hyperkeratosis of brachycephalic dogs has no depigmentation or inflammation. This is a key distinguishing feature between immune mediated nasal hyperkeratosis (DLE/pemphigus) and idiopathic hyperkeratosis.
Brachycephalic breeds of dogs like Boxers and Cocker Spaniels, English and French bulldogs are predisposed to developing crusty noses.
Brachycephalic breeds may be more prone to nasal hyperkeratosis because of their head conformation. This makes it harder for their nose to rub against their food and water bowls and naturally wear down this excess keratin. Their foreshortened faces can also make it harder for them to moisturize their nose by licking.
Idiopathic nasal hyperkeratosis can be diagnosed based on the history, breed and examination of your dog by your veterinarian.
Treatment for nasal hyperkeratosis in brachycephalic breeds
Treatment focuses on hydrating the hardened tissue. Topical salicylic acid preparations are helpful to wear away the excess keratin tissue. Petroleum jelly or other emollients can then be used to lock in moisture. Topical skin pipettes like (dermoscent) and fish oil supplements can help by increasing essential fatty acids in the body.
The following are a few products recommended by veterinarians to treat hardened, crusty noses in dogs:
Bio Balm: vegetable oil from soybean and essential oil of cajputi
Bag Balm: Petrolatum, Lanolin, 8-Hydroxyquinoline Sulfate 0.3%, Paraffin Wax
Solvaker: 6.6% salicylic acid
Musher’s secret: White and Yellow Beeswax, Carnauba, and Candelilla Wax vegetable oils with vitamin E
Initially it is a good idea to use a product like Kerasolv to dissolve the excess keratin. Once the excess keratin has been removed, a maintenance hydrating product can be used weekly to moisturize the nose.
It helps to warm compress the nose with a wet washcloth for 5 to 10 minutes before applying the Kerasolv.
Oral vitamin A is helpful in many scaly, crusty skin diseases in both man and dog. Because vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, dosing this vitamin should be approved first by your veterinarian.
Dog nasal planum infection: Nasal pyoderma
Another nasal crusting disorder seen in dogs is an infection of the surface of the nose (nasal planum infection). This is an infection of the skin of the nose characterized by crusts and ulceration that is usually symmetric . It is important to know that mucocutaneous pyoderma of the nose cannot be differentiated from discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). DLE is an immune mediated condition that affects the nose of dogs. Visual inspection of the nose and biopsies of the nose will look the same!
Treating your dog’s nasal pyoderma
Many clinicians prefer to treat possible nasal pyoderma with a 30 day course of antibiotics (typically a cephalosporin antibiotic) BEFORE considering a biopsy of the nose. A culture of the nose can also be performed to help guide the antibiotic choice. After an antibiotic course, if there is no resolution of the skin crusts, a biopsy is a good next step . If the biopsy is consistent with possible DLE then immune modifying medications can be started.
DLE: Discoid lupus erythematosus in dogs causes dry cracked noses
This is an immune mediated condition that attacks the skin layer on the nose and causes ulceration, depigmentation and scabs. This condition is generally limited to the nose (nasal planum) of dogs. Sometimes the regions around the eyes, the foot pads, perianal area and ears can also be affected. Both this disease and nasal pyoderma produce crusts, depigmentation and ulceration on the nose, making them look visually the same. Most clinicians will consider DLE as a possible diagnosis if there is no response to an antibiotic trial. At that time, a biopsy is recommended to diagnose DLE.
DLE is aggravated by UV light. Dogs should be walked in the early morning or after dusk and kept in shaded environments. Treatments are based on topical ointments that modify the immune response like steroid or tacrolimus-containing ointments. Oral systemic treatments with doxycycline and niacinamide (which also modulate the immune system) can also be used. Sunscreen (like My Dog Nose It) can help protect the nose from UV light:
Nasal parakeratosis of Labradors causing a scabby nose
Nasal parakeratosis of Labradors is an inherited condition that causes a crusty, scabby nose in Labradors 6-12 months of age. If infection is suspected, that should be treated first with antibiotics before starting other treatments. The most effective therapy is propylene glycol mixed with an equal part of water and applied to the nose twice daily. Kerasolv can also be used to restore the normal smooth appearance to the nose and then petroleum jelly applied regularly to keep the nose moisturized. Cases that don’t respond may need immune modulating ointments like topical 0.1% tacrolimus. DLE cannot be cured, but daily management can help keep the condition stable and comfortable.
Parasympathomimetic nose (Xeromycteria) of dogs
One sided or unilateral nasal crusting is classically suspicious for a condition called xeromycteria. This condition causes a dry nose and a dry eye on the same side. This is due to interruption of the innervation of the glands that lubricate the eye and nose. Symptoms look like thick tan/dried discharge on one side of the nose and yellow discharge and redness of the eye on the same side. A test of tear production (schirmer tear test) will show little to no tear production.
Most cases of neurogenic KCS are idiopathic (meaning no underlying cause will be found) but trauma, deep ear infections, anatomic malformations and inflammation are all possible. Treatment is usually a drug called pilocarpine which stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. This stimulates the parasympathetic input to the eye and nose and promotes lubrication of the eye and nose.
Distemper virus as a cause of nasal crusting in dogs
Distemper is a viral disease that is rare, thankfully, due to widespread vaccination. It used to be called “hard pad disease” because it can cause callousing of the nose and foot pads. This virus typically affects puppies with a questionable vaccination history or housed with many other puppies in unsanitary conditions. If puppies are not provided antibodies to distemper from suckling their mother’s milk or properly vaccinated they can be susceptible to the distemper virus. Distemper classically produces yellow eye and nose discharge, fever, lethargy, and pneumonia. Next, it can cause GI symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. Finally, some dogs will develop neurologic symptoms of seizures (chewing gum seizures are classic seizures seen in distemper infections), weakness, and tremoring, etc. By the time the virus enters the nervous system it can lead to hyperkeratosis of the nose and foot pads.
There are many potential causes of dry, scabbed and ulcerated noses in dogs. Based on your dog’s history and physical exam findings your veterinarian will recommend initial treatment options and/or additional tests. Depending on response to treatment, a biopsy is sometimes needed to understand and treat the underlying cause.