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The dog has a dry nose. A dog's nose as an indicator of its physical condition When a dog has a warm and dry nose

Probably every owner, having noticed something wrong in the dog’s behavior, first of all feels its nose, cold and wet - everything is fine, dry or hot - something is wrong. In principle, the premise is correct, a dog’s nose is a kind of indicator of well-being. Let's say your nose is dry and hot, what should you do next? Observe? Run to the clinic? Treat yourself, if so, then for what? First, you need to understand that there can be a lot of reasons, both harmless and dangerous. We don’t panic and figure out why the dog has a dry nose, what you can do on your own and in what cases you can’t wait.

Where the tradition of determining a dog’s condition by feeling its nose came from is not known, only one thing is clear: either thermometers were rare in those days, or veterinary clinics did not yet exist. First, let's figure out why a wet and cold nose is the norm. The entire nose of a dog, both inside and out, is covered with a mucous membrane that secretes moisturizing secretions. Functionally, the pet uses its nose not only for smell; the wet surface reacts to the slightest air fluctuations and drafts. The nose of a sleeping wild dog monitors the possible approach of an enemy - this is one of the ways of survival. It is customary to “diagnose” high fever, viral diseases, and a weak immune system using the nose.

If a dog has a dry and warm nose, we filter out normal physiological causes:

  • Personal characteristics or age. Puppies often “sin” with a warm nose, if the rest of the dog’s condition is not alarming, you do not suspect an acute reaction to the vaccination - rest easy, the “child” will grow up and everything will pass. Some dogs have a special nose structure, a “passive” mucous membrane, and a slow metabolism. Such pets have a warm or dry nose throughout life, this is normal.
  • The pet is sleeping or has just woken up. Comfortably living domestic dogs, over generations, lose the ability to be constantly anxious. This prolongs their lifespan, but “dries out” their nose during sleep. If a dog sleeps in a house or on a specially equipped bed, it “gets warm” in the same way as a person. The pet will wake up, stretch, drink and its nose will become wet again.
  • Stress. The dog is nervous and doesn’t feel well, there is nothing “military” about it. Let your pet recover, cheer him up, give him a treat, and try to provide the most calm and comfortable environment possible.
  • Overwork. The dog carried the fetch for two hours straight, swam, ran, survived the journey and developed a breakdown? – It’s okay – increased nutrition and rest will fix everything. When moving and traveling, the pet may fall into a “stupor”, sleep all the time, behave strangely, and refuse to eat. In this case, you need to control the temperature, if everything is fine here - wait, encourage, entertain, the pet has the right to experience “personal” problems.
  • An “icy” nose combined with cold tips of the ears is a clear sign of hypothermia or low temperature. We measure the temperature and if it is low, the gums are pale, the eyes are drooping, we go to the doctor. There is no guessing here, the range from overwork to organ failure. The temperature is normal – let’s warm up the pet.

Read also: The dog has colic: intestinal, liver, kidney, stomach

“A” or “B” – add up the symptoms, find out the causes

Has the owner’s “sense” for trouble been added to the condition of the nose? Then we move on and look for possible diseases. The first thing you need is observation and history taking:

Nose condition:
a) the skin is smooth;
b) the nose is peeling, cracking, covered with crusts.

Body temperature:
a) depending on the size and age of the dog 37.5–39C°;
b) increased/decreased.

General state:
a) the pet is active, contacts the owner, eats and eats;
b) the dog hides in a dark place, does not respond to stimuli, refuses to eat or drink, is aggressive, apathetic, constantly itches, scratches its face with its front paws.

Wool condition:
a) shiny, slightly greasy and cool to the touch.
b) dehydrated, disheveled, climbing.

Respiratory system condition:
a) breathes normally through the nose;
b) nasal breathing is difficult, rhinitis, sneezing, coughing, wheezing are observed.

Digestion process:
a) the pet behaves as usual;
b) diarrhea or constipation, vomiting (not caused by eating grass), the dog tries to relieve itself, but cannot.

All options "a"? Your pet is healthy, most likely you did not notice the stressful situation or the dog thought of something - 90% guarantee. To calm your own nervous system, contact your veterinarian for a preventive examination and do not forget to repeat this procedure once every six months. Are there options "b"? - We are looking further, if you do not have experience in diagnosing, this dog is your first pet - immediately take the animal to the clinic, do not risk your life.

Read also: Cerebral edema in dogs: causes, types and symptoms

Hot nose as a sign of illness

Allergy– the most common cause of nasal problems. Symptoms: the dog has a cold and dry nose, less often a hot or warm nose. The pet itches, including covering its face with its front paws, twitches or behaves strangely for no reason, the skin peels, dandruff appears, the fur may dry out or remain in normal condition.

Self-diagnosing allergies, and even more so identifying the allergen - walking blindfolded through a minefield - can be lucky. First of all, you: change all the bowls to stainless steel, remove synthetics, polymers, rubber, and natural wool from access. Eliminate everything from your diet except porridge and broth. Refuse to clean with household chemicals and bathe your dog. Write down everything that was excluded. Walk your pet away from flowering plants and monitor its condition. If the dog feels better, go with the list to the veterinarian and draw up an action plan. Perhaps the type of allergy can be detected by tests, otherwise you will have to keep a diary and add potential allergens “step by step.”

– a disease of the immune system, accompanied by the appearance of blisters on the nose and/or body of the dog. The bubbles burst and leave crusts. Confirmed only by tests, treated individually depending on the type of pathogen.

– from a slight runny nose to pneumonia. Symptoms: hot nose, as a consequence of elevated temperature. Apathy is observed, the dog sleeps a lot, sneezes, coughs, wheezing or whistling is heard while breathing. The treatment is decided after examining and listening to the chest. If it does not reach pneumonia, therapy is carried out with antiviral and antibacterial drugs. Pneumonia is treated with antibiotics, IVs and more serious procedures.

Important! , much more dangerous than in humans. In the human world, death from pneumonia is a blatant negligence of doctors. In dogs, unfortunately, this is due to the owners’ oversight. If you have the slightest suspicion of bronchitis or pneumonia, do not delay it, do not treat the dog with “your” medications, do not warm it up, do not use mustard plasters, do not try to inhalate it - contact your veterinarian!

Injury– from colliding with an obstacle or in a fight with a dog or cat, the pet can damage its nose. You need to understand that a dog’s nose is hundreds of times more sensitive than a person’s. If an injury occurs - your pet has experienced severe pain, stress, perhaps shock - take this into account. Scratches or wounds cannot be treated with brilliant green or iodine; the nose is a mucous membrane. If there is a cartilage fracture or severe bleeding, urgent professional help is required!

Whenever a pet feels unwell, we immediately touch his nose, and this is partly true - the nasal mucosa is a kind of indicator of the dog’s well-being. A dog’s wet and cold nose is an indicator of excellent health, but what does a dry and hot organ indicate?

When a dry nose is normal

A dog's dry nose is not always a symptom of infection, although it is most often considered a sign of disease. Let's figure out when you shouldn't panic, let's look at the normal options for this condition:

  • Age. At certain periods of a dog’s life, due to its physiological state, it has a dry nose. This is typical for puppies, which are very active, for older dogs - due to suppressed immunity, for bitches during pregnancy and lactation - all the liquid is used for feeding and growth of the offspring.
  • Breed Features. The more unique the breed, the more features it has. Only “wild” dogs in urban environments are able to “keep vigil,” which means that the skill of a wet nose is simply necessary to identify the enemy. But for decorative dogs this is not necessary, they are beautiful in themselves and they do not need to defend their right to “be”.
  • State after sleep. After waking up, the body just wakes up and begins to function; perhaps your pet just warmed up in the bed.
  • Stress. Fear, new circumstances, people, events can put the animal into a state of stress, and as a result you will get a dry nose in the dog.
  • Overwork. Young animals are very active, and with movements they lose a lot of fluid.
  • Thermal damage. Both hypothermia and overheating will dry out your pet's nose. A cold, dry nose in combination with cold tips of the ears will be clear signs of a long stay in the cold, and an elevated temperature with heat will be overheating.
  • Poor nutrition. Review your pet's diet; digestive disorders can cause diarrhea or vomiting, and as a result, a dry nose. And be sure to check the bowl of water, perhaps the liquid has simply run out and your dog is thirsty.

Even a very dry nose in dogs cannot serve as a danger signal, but if additional symptoms appear, check to see if it’s time to sound the alarm?

When a dry nose is a sign of illness

If a dry nose is more often the norm than a pathology, then you will still have to go to the clinic if your pet exhibits other symptoms of the disease:

  • Changes in skin condition. The nose is cracked and peeling, in this case there is a reason to consult a specialist for a diagnosis.
  • Abnormal body temperature. Normally, a dog’s body temperature is 37.8-39.0 degrees, but a strong decrease or increase in thermometer readings can serve as a danger signal.
  • Abnormal behavior. Deviations in the form of photophobia, apathy, aggression, lethargy, loss of appetite are also symptoms of pathology.
  • Wool condition. Ideally, the coat should be smooth and even, but unkempt, dull hair indicates serious metabolic disorders in the animal.
  • Airway condition. Sneezing, coughing, rhinitis are signs of an airborne infection.
  • Indigestion. Severe diarrhea, vomiting, and strange dog behavior can also be signs of an animal infection.
  • Edema. Swelling, scabs, and scratches indicate injury to your pet.

What pathologies may a dry nose indicate?

If your dog has the above symptoms added to his dry skin, do not ask why, but try to show the animal to a specialist as soon as possible. Very often, a complex of symptoms can be a sign of the following diseases:

  • Allergy. The most common cause of pet illness. A dog’s cold, dry nose, which constantly itches, flakes, and cracks, is the main sign of the presence of an allergen in the animal’s blood.
  • Pemphigus. An autoimmune disease when a dog's dry nose cracks due to small blisters that regularly burst, forming a dense crust. Only a specialist can diagnose this disease.
  • Cold. In this case, the sign of a hot and dry nose in a dog is the cause of an elevated temperature; most often, the animal can additionally observe coughing and sneezing. The disease is dangerous due to its complications; with a decrease in immunity, a simple cold can turn into pneumonia or pneumonia.
  • Injury. Another cause of a dry nose in a dog can be traumatic injury due to an encounter with an obstacle, a fight or a fall. If you notice scabs, scratches, ulcers or wounds, consult a specialist to avoid blood poisoning. You cannot treat wounds with brilliant green or iodine, as this can damage the mucous membrane and deprive your pet of his sense of smell.
  • Worm infestations. When a dog's dry nose is accompanied by lethargy, intoxication, temperature changes, and bulging of the peritoneum, then most likely your dog is a carrier of worms. But this is a rare case, since regular deworming should be a habit for dog owners.
  • Infectious diseases. The most dangerous of them is rabies. Everyone should know the symptoms of these diseases. In this case, the dog does not eat, the nose is dry, there is photophobia, diarrhea and vomiting with foam, pallor of the mucous membranes. If you notice these symptoms, take your animal to the vet immediately.

If your dog has a warm and dry nose, and additional symptoms are added to them, try not to self-medicate, but immediately consult a doctor.

How to treat dry nose

What to do if your dog has a dry nose - the main thing is not to panic, you must first decide whether this is normal or a possible pathology.

If you are considering the option of pathology, but don’t be lazy and take the animal to the clinic, and if the option is normal, you can help your pet in the following way:

  • If you suspect an allergy, remove all synthetic materials from the animal’s field of activity, carry out wet cleaning, and review the diet in favor of avoiding highly allergenic foods.
  • If a dog drinks a lot and his nose remains dry, then perhaps the reason is climatic conditions, the animal simply cannot cope with the heat. Make sure that a bowl of water is always available to the animal.
  • Physiological and age-related characteristics of a dog dry out its nose, lubricate it with vegetable oil or Vaseline, this will alleviate the animal’s condition and allow it to continue to enjoy life.

It is impossible to say exactly what a dry nose in a dog means; it is necessary to carry out a diagnosis and clarify additional symptoms. Monitor your pet closely to keep him healthy even if his nose is dry.

People make the mistake of thinking that a dog's dry or warm nose is a sign of illness. You should pay attention to other signs, since even a healthy animal can have a warm nose.

Dogs most often have a cold and wet nose. But during the day, drying or warming of the organ is sometimes noted.

Dry and warm nose in a dog

Healthy dog ​​nose

Causes of a dog's nose drying out:

  • Age or personal characteristics. Puppies are very often observed with a warm nose, if no other symptoms are observed, then do not worry. Some dogs have an organ structure that makes it poorly hydrated;
  • After active games and exercise, if the pet is overtired and tired. Rest and increased nutrition will fix everything. When traveling and moving, your pet may behave strangely, sleep a lot, and lose appetite. In this case, control the temperature, entertain and encourage the animal.
  • Warm and dry air, usually during heating seasons;
  • During sleep or after waking up. This is explained by slow metabolism and decreased hydration;
  • Nervous tension or fear, stress. Let the dog come to its senses, treat it with a treat, provide a comfortable and calm environment;
  • Sudden changes in weather;
  • When baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth;
  • Heat;
  • After birth in the first two days.

If the listed reasons are not accompanied by any other signs, then warming and dryness of the organ is a short-term phenomenon. If your pet’s condition is alarming and additional symptoms occur, this may be the beginning of a disease.

Dry nose - special attention

If the nose is not wet and hot for a long time, then the owner’s attention is required.

Signs accompanying organ dryness:

Obvious signs that require taking your animal to the veterinarian:

  • Temperature jump to 40 degrees and above;
  • Loss of consciousness;
  • Cloudy nasal discharge;
  • Impaired urination and bowel movements;
  • Vomit.

A dog has a hot nose: help

If you notice a warm and dry nose on your pet, then watch him. If the dog is active, eating well and there are no signs of illness, then wait until the moisture and temperature of the nose are restored.

If you notice signs that your pet is getting sick, you should measure its body temperature rectally. If the indicator rises to more than forty degrees, try to reduce the temperature by physical means - wet the wool, solder it with water, apply cold to the armpits and groin, put it in a cool place. After the indicators decrease, take the animal to the veterinarian. If there is a slight increase in temperature, go to the clinic immediately. Do not give any antipyretics yourself!

If your nose is cracked, use calendula ointment to moisturize and soften the surface.

Some diseases

Allergies are the most common cause. Symptoms: The dog has a dry and cold nose. The animal itches, behaves strangely, the skin peels, dries out, and dandruff appears.

Don't diagnose allergies yourself, but feed your pet only broth and cereal. Do not bathe your dog or clean with household chemicals. Observe the animal's condition; as soon as the dog feels better, go to the veterinarian.

Plague– acute and progressive disease. Symptoms: purulent discharge, hot dry nose, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea with blood and foam, refusal of water and food. Go to the doctor quickly or call him at home! Don't delay for an hour.

Rabies- the most dangerous disease. Transmitted through saliva, animals and people are susceptible to infection. Initial symptoms: dry and hot nose, lack of appetite, but drinks water, apathy and lethargy, photophobia is the most important symptom! The disease cannot be treated and the dogs are euthanized.

What does a veterinarian do?

The doctor will examine the animal and ask the owner under what circumstances the nose was found to be hot and dry.

If infection is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe a course of therapy and develop antifungal and antiviral treatment regimens.

When allergies occur They will adjust the diet and prescribe antihistamines locally and internally. It is recommended to replace bowls, because allergies are often caused by poor-quality dishes.

For injuries and pain syndromes, which are the cause of organ dryness, will select pain relief and correct treatment of injuries.

For signs of dehydration, a course of rehydration drips is required.

Deworming will be carried out if infection with worms is confirmed, and detoxification if necessary.

If an autoimmune disease is confirmed(pemphigus foliaceus), affect the immune system.

A dry and warm nose is not always a sign of pathology, just as a cold, wet nose is a sign of a healthy condition. Be attentive to your pets and notice additional signs that accompany diseases.

A dry nose in a dog usually indicates a painful condition.

This is partly true. It is important at what point it was noticed that the dog has a dry nose, as well as whether other symptoms of any diseases are present. If the dog is sleeping at this moment or has just woken up, then a dry nose is normal. The nose can also be dry after serious physical exertion, in extreme heat or cold. If the nose is not moisturized during moments of quiet wakefulness, then this may indeed signal health problems.

Causes of a dry nose in a dog

Why does a dog have a dry, hot or cold nose? The most common reason. It often occurs on low-quality plastic. An allergic reaction can also occur to dust, pollen, chemicals (including detergents), as well as certain foods.

The dog’s nose also reacts sensitively to the weather: extreme heat or, conversely, cold and wind. It may also mean that the dog is not drinking enough. and then, in addition to a dry nose, she will have other symptoms:

  • sneezing,
  • cough,
  • runny nose,
  • hoarseness

The nose can dry out due to injury. Then swelling, swelling, scabs or ulcers may be visible on the nose. There is also an autoimmune skin disease called pemphigus. It usually appears as blisters on the dog's nose. Then they burst, and a crust forms in this place, which prevents the dog from breathing freely.

What to do if your dog's nose is dry?

It is better to replace plastic dog bowls with stainless steel dishes, and during the flowering period of plants, it is better to walk the animal away from them, in an open, ventilated space.

Dog bowls should be washed without detergents. And if you suspect that the allergen is a food product, it is better to consult a veterinarian for help.

If it’s hot outside, you can lubricate your dog’s nose with aloe juice after a walk. In cold weather, after a walk, the dog’s nose can be wiped with a swab dipped in warm water.

You need to make sure your dog always has enough fresh water. The bowl needs to be washed every day. Since dogs often drink after eating and the water becomes dirty, it is better to wash the bowl after drinking and fill it with fresh water.

If your dog has a cold and his nose becomes crusty, you can alleviate his condition by lubricating the tip of his nose with calendula ointment. If the animal’s body temperature rises too much, it is better to contact a veterinarian. Cases of nasal injury or pemphigus disease will also require a visit to a doctor.

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Why does a dog have a dry, hot or cold nose? The most common cause is allergies. It often occurs on low-quality plastic. An allergic reaction can also occur to dust, pollen, chemicals (including detergents), as well as certain foods.

The dog’s nose also reacts sensitively to the weather: extreme heat or, conversely, cold and wind. It may also mean that the dog is not drinking enough. A dog may catch a cold and then, in addition to a dry nose, it will have other symptoms:

  • sneezing,
  • cough,
  • runny nose,
  • hoarseness

The nose can dry out due to injury. Then swelling, swelling, scabs or ulcers may be visible on the nose. There is also an autoimmune skin disease called pemphigus. It usually appears as blisters on the dog's nose. Then they burst, and a crust forms in this place, which prevents the dog from breathing freely.

In pets, this organ is covered with mucus inside and on top. It is produced by linings (special glands). Mucus for dogs is a kind of chromatograph, an assistant through which air movement is determined. It is the moisture that covers the olfactory organ on top that helps the animal detect various odors. This is a kind of barometer of smell.

However, owners should not worry and immediately take the dog to a specialist if they notice that his nose has become hot and dry. There can be many reasons for this, not all of them indicate an animal illness. For example, a dog that has just woken up has a normally dry, warm sense of smell. It can be the same after physical activity, when the dog runs around to his heart's content, plays enough and overheats a little.

If the organ does not become moist during the period of calm of the animal, then there may be a change in the environment or stress. Emotional experiences are also characteristic of animals and cause many changes in the body.

Often a dog's sense of smell becomes dry due to allergies. Plastic dishes from which the dog eats often become the “culprit” of the problem. Allergies can also occur to pollen, dust, detergents, and certain products. If the dog is prone to allergic reactions, then owners are advised to keep a food diary in which food items are recorded and the dog’s body’s reaction to them is monitored. This will make it easier for the owner to eliminate the allergen from the diet.

The nose can become dry in response to changes in weather - heat, cold, strong wind. For example, it becomes hotter in the cold as the immune system fights the health-threatening effects of the weather. To help her, you can offer your dog a multivitamin.

If the dog’s olfactory organ remains hot and dry for a long time, then in addition to allergies, the cause may be a cold. In such cases, the dog also develops other symptoms. This is sneezing, coughing, rhinitis. After a course of therapy prescribed by the doctor, the dog recovers - and its nose returns to its normal physiological state.

A simple lack of fluid, lack of water in the drinking bowl can also lead to problems in the warm season.

Injuries are often the cause of the problem. The attentive owner discovers their consequences on his own, because there are manifestations of puffiness, swelling, and wounds. In this case, you will need to be examined by a specialist at a veterinary clinic.

Pemphigus is a specific disease that is manifested by the appearance of pimples in the form of bubbles on the nose. They burst, a crust forms, and the functioning of the lining is disrupted. In such cases, the dog should undergo histology. This is the only way to confirm the disease.

A dry and warm nose should alert the dog owner. There may be several reasons:

  • The most common reason that causes a dry nose and its warming may be a cold. A loving owner should not only be able to feel the pet’s nose, but also measure its temperature. If the reading on the thermometer exceeds 39, other signs of the disease are visible (cough, sour eyes, lethargy of the dog), it is necessary to begin treating the cold.
  • Often the cause of a warm nose is an allergic reaction. Allergens surround us everywhere. Plastic dishes, household chemicals, food. Dogs, just like people, can react to allergens. If the dog reacts to the allergen, then there will be no other visible manifestations of the disease. You should contact your veterinarian to determine the cause of the allergic reaction.
  • Dry nose can occur in nursing bitches. This is considered normal, so you should not panic and call a veterinarian at home.
  • In the summer, a dog exposed to the sun for a long time can get a skin burn. The skin on the nose is not protected by hair, so sunburn is possible. If you notice a warm and dry nose on your pet, inspect the area where it was located. The doghouse should be installed in a cool place so that the animal has the opportunity to rest in the shade. In addition, you should monitor the presence of a container with cool drinking water in the pet’s access area. In the summer heat, the dog may overheat, which will also result in a dry nose.
  • In winter, when the weather is frosty and windy, the skin on a dog's nose can be exposed to natural factors. Winter cold can lead to dry nasal skin, and in more serious cases it can cause painful cracks.
  • During walks, or just in the yard, a dog can accidentally get injured. Sometimes an injury leads to symptoms such as a dry nose and a warm nose. If you notice that your dog has a warm nose, you should examine it for injuries or damage to the skin. If your pet refuses to give his paw, he most likely damaged it. It is necessary to determine the severity of the injury and seek help from a veterinary clinic, or deal with the problem yourself.
  • Stressful situations have a negative impact on the dog's body. Having become nervous, the dog may become a little sick, which causes a symptom such as a warm and dry nose.
  • A dry nose, complete with blisters that appear on it, indicates a disease such as pemphigus. It is classified as a disease of the immune system. Characteristic signs of the disease: blisters with fluid on the skin. After the bubble matures, it bursts, then dried crusts appear, which prevent the dog from breathing. The type of pathogen can be determined only after testing.
  • If, in addition to a warm nose, your dog has constipation, is lethargic, and does not want to play, you should check it for helminthiasis. Large numbers of worms accumulated in the peritoneum can cause severe intoxication of the animal. Body temperature at the same time it can either increase or decrease.
  • A warm nose can be combined with other signs of distemper. The condition of a dog with this disease is as follows: hot, dry nose, lethargy, purulent discharge from the eyes and nasal passages, refusal to eat, indigestion. The animal may have a staggering gait, drag its hind legs and roll over on its side. In severe cases, fainting or seizures.

When a dog's dry and warm nose is a sign of illness

The problem with all animal diseases is that pets cannot tell about them. Therefore, the attentive attitude and observation of the owner will help to identify signs of otitis in time:

  1. The dog scratches its ear for a long time, often shakes its head, tilting it towards the diseased organ.
  2. During examination of the affected ear, swelling, discharge with pus and an unpleasant odor are noticeable.
  3. The animal reacts painfully to touching the sore ear.
  4. The pet sleeps poorly, gets tired from lack of sleep, and becomes indifferent to food.
  5. The dog's affected ear is hot.
  6. Increased body temperature.

The causative agents of ear inflammation in animals are bacteria and fungi. Among them are staphylococci and streptococci, which are constantly present in the dog’s body, but do not multiply and do not cause harm if immunity is good. As soon as the dog’s body malfunctions, the pathogenic microflora begins to rapidly increase, which leads to various diseases.

There are breeds of dogs with drooping ears that are predisposed to this disease from the moment they are born due to the unusual structure of the organ. In such animals, the ear covers the auditory canal, complicating its ventilation and creating favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. These include spaniels and poodles.

If you notice such symptoms in your pet, immediately seek help from a veterinarian. Based on laboratory tests of a smear taken from the affected ear, he will make a diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. You should not treat your four-legged friend on your own to avoid unpleasant and sad consequences.

If your dog’s nose remains dry and warm for a long time, here are the possible reasons for this phenomenon:

  • Allergy. She can be up to anything. Starting with a plastic feeding bowl (replace with a stainless steel bowl) and ending with bird cherry blossoms. Of course, it could also be a food allergy. A test and keeping a diary of the animal's diet will help you identify the allergen. You need to do this to eliminate all allergens from your dog’s life as much as possible.
  • Cold . If a dog has caught an infection, then in addition to a dry nose, it should also have other signs of the disease: sneezing, runny nose, cough. As soon as the dog is healthy, the moisture in the nose will also be restored. What to do if your dog has a runny nose, see this article.
  • Nose injury. You can determine a nasal injury yourself. It is advisable to seek treatment advice from a veterinarian if you are not experienced in treating nasal injuries.
  • Pemphigus. There is an autoimmune disease in dogs, one of the manifestations of which is the appearance of blisters on the nose, which then burst and the nose becomes covered with a crust. It should be taken into account that blisters do not only appear on the nose, but can occur throughout the body. Only with the help of histology can accurate confirmation of the disease be given.

Now you know exactly why a dog has a wet and cold nose, why it needs it like that, and in what cases a dog’s nose is warm and dry. With the help of this article, we have dispelled the misconception of many novice dog breeders that if they feel a dry and hot nose on their dog, they should panic and urgently run to the veterinarian.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of redness of the auricle is carried out in a complex manner and includes several stages. When contacting a doctor, the specialist must collect anamnesis and conduct a clinical examination of the animal, during which the affected part of the outer and middle ear is examined.

When examining, it is important to focus on the condition of the eardrum, the skin inside and the presence of edema. Otoscopy (examination of the auricle) includes registration of possible discharge from the ear canal area, skin hyperemia, pain during palpation, and bulging of the eardrum.

If a certain pathology is suspected, specific laboratory tests are prescribed. The main ones are:

  • general blood analysis;
  • cytology of secretions (carried out to determine pathogenic microflora, diagnose possible tumor processes, autoimmune diseases, hyperplasia of sulfur-producing glands);
  • scrapings and further examination under a microscope (carried out to identify ear mites and pathogenic bacterial microflora).

Rarely, but in the absence of a reliable picture of the pathological process, a veterinary specialist may prescribe an x-ray examination to identify a neoplasm or polyps in the nasopharynx that provokes the development of otitis media.

Possible diseases and their treatment

The main task of a dog owner is to monitor the health of his ward. It is important to regularly inspect your dog’s ears, noting the slightest changes. In normal condition, the skin of the ear on the inside should have a pale pink tint and be free of foreign odors.

There are a number of reasons that provoke the development of redness in a dog’s ears. The main ones are:

  1. Insufficient ventilation. Occurs in many dogs, but mainly affects breeds with long and floppy ears. Most of the auricle closes the external auditory canal, preventing microcirculation of air masses penetrating into the area of ​​the inner ear. Accumulated excess moisture is an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms. During an inflammatory process caused by bacteria, the dog develops discharge from the ear, accompanied by an unpleasant odor. It is possible and necessary to prevent inflammation in such pets by carrying out timely hygienic treatment of the auricle. Excess hair should be cut off, and the ear canal should be treated with special products to remove excess moisture and dirt.
  2. Allergic reactions. As a result of allergic reactions, not only internal organs suffer, but also external ones. Redness on the ears as a result of allergies to food with individual intolerance to certain foods is a fairly common occurrence, especially among small breeds of dogs. Products that provoke the onset of allergies can be wheat, rice or poultry, as well as granulated dry food. If a veterinarian suspects the onset of an allergy, the pet is prescribed treatment, which includes the exclusion of foods that cause a reaction, as well as the use of special antihistamines (the dosage and course of treatment must be prescribed by a qualified doctor).
  3. Foreign objects in the ears. If various insects, plants or other objects enter the external auditory canal and are exposed for a long time, the animal may experience irritation and redness in the ears. It is necessary to conduct a thorough and, most importantly, regular examination of the pet’s hearing organs after each walk in nature. It is not recommended to remove a foreign body yourself, since any careless movement can lead to more serious consequences (pushing the object into the deeper layers, where it will be much more difficult to get it out). It is advisable to contact a veterinarian who can properly restrain the animal and remove the object causing inflammation.
  4. Redness after water procedures. Quite often, dog owners pay attention to the fact that after bathing, the dog’s ears turn red on the inside. Water that gets inside the ear may not come out on its own, even if the pet actively shakes them. As a result of this, an inflammatory process occurs, which is treated by a veterinarian. Cotton pads inserted into the dog's ears before bathing will help prevent the situation. After the procedures, cotton swabs must be removed.
  5. Otodectosis. An ear infection in dogs and cats caused by ear mites. The disease can be transmitted from sick animals to healthy ones through contact. In addition to hyperemia as a result of inflammation, otodectosis is always accompanied by other characteristic symptoms - severe itching and an unpleasant odor from the ear canal area. The pet can tilt its head in one direction or the other. An accurate diagnosis can only be made in a veterinary hospital, since the diagnosis includes a scraping to determine the pathogen. Ear mites are a fairly dangerous disease, treatment of which lasts several weeks in mild forms. In advanced cases, treatment is more expensive and longer. If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, otodectosis can lead to serious consequences and even complete loss of the dog’s hearing.
  6. Otitis. Inflammation that occurs inside the ear affects many pets. Otitis can occur as a result of various reasons - with a decrease in immune defense, allergic reactions, colds, proliferation of bacterial pathogenic microflora or fungi. It is extremely difficult not to notice the manifestations of otitis, because in addition to the fact that the dog has hot ears, a number of characteristic signs also arise, such as constant itching and discomfort (the animal constantly scratches its ears), refusal to eat, increased body temperature, lethargy and apathy, unpleasant odor from the ear canal. With fungal otitis, an unpleasant, sweetish odor is heard from the ear, and with bacterial purulent otitis, a specific exudate is released from the ear canal.

Prevention of ear diseases in dogs

To avoid trouble with your pets' ears, try to remember a few simple rules:

  • after each walk, inspect the animal’s body, paying attention to the ears;
  • do not forget to clean the external auditory canal;
  • long-eared pets need daily combing of the fur on their ears;
  • Watch what your dog eats.

These simple procedures will reduce the risk of ear problems.

An attentive dog owner always conducts regular examination of the ears, which allows timely detection of the onset of pathological processes. Do not worry if your pet secretes a small amount of a brown substance that does not have a strong unpleasant odor. This is earwax, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the hearing aid. Regular ear cleaning using special lotions will help prevent serious diseases associated with your dog's ears.

Long-eared and long-haired dog breeds require regular plucking or trimming of the hair in the ear canal. This will improve air microcirculation, preventing moisture from retaining and causing inflammation.

After long walks in nature, among tall grass or in the forest, it is necessary to inspect the dog’s ears for foreign bodies. An important role in the prevention of otitis media and other pathological conditions of the auricle is played by the general strengthening of the immune system.