Dog Community

Super dried out nostril - what's safe?

Posted : 7/27/2009 9:30:01 PM

My sister's dog has one side of his nose (essentially, a nostril) that is very, very dried out. I was thinking some bag balm would help, but not sure if it's safe, considering it's on his nose, close to that tongue that could very readily ingest it.

I read here that vaseline is no good - mineral oil is better, but considering how liquid that is, I hesitate to put that near his nose.

Callie? anybody else in hot/dry climates??

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/27/2009 9:54:09 PM

vaselline/petrolatum isn't poison -- it's just not wonderful for them. but the real problem is that they LOVE IT. So he's more apt TO lick to get it off.

I'd probably go with something more beeswax oriented -- maybe even something by Burts Bees.

My big question would be WHY. Is this dog, by *any* chance taking cyclosporine? That was one of Billy's BIG side effects from that. But I'd be concerned at what had broken down that tissue that way.

But I'd probably use something like ... well even Chapstick scraped off and rubbed on -- but something like that could become infected SUPER easy -- and I'd want the vet to look at that if it were me.

miranadobe

Posted : 7/28/2009 2:35:52 PM

Nope, he's not on any meds. He has lived in Belgium and then Seattle all of his life. This week, we moved him from super-wet Seattle to super-dry Denver, and his nostril looks as dried out as a foot pad. But it's only on one side/one nostril. The other side is fine/normal. I wanted to treat it topically before bringing him to a vet, because we haven't found a vet here yet, and when I peer into his nostril, there's no green infection or anything.

rwbeagles

Posted : 7/28/2009 3:01:01 PM

I'd actually take him in to be scoped, because it's just the one side....to make sure there's nothing in there...polyp or anything. I realize they typically discharge more not less...but any change on just one side...ear, eye, anything really would concern me enough for a vet to check up in there.

kpwlee

Posted : 7/30/2009 9:12:10 AM

Until you get to a vet you might try this LINK

I have to use a nasal spray that dries my nose out terribly so I started using this a while back and am thrilled with it. It is 100% safe for nostrils the problem with any petroleum based product in the nose is that they are terrible for the lungs. Just put some on a q-tip and you should be able to coat the area

Good luck - poor guy!

abiannebane

Posted : 8/21/2009 4:01:04 AM

Dried nostrils is an indication of dehydration. As I know about dehydration, the treatment is only to increased fluid intake of the your dog. To be effective replacement of fluid it must be small but frequent giving of fluid on him. Minimize also the exposure into sunlight it can add to dehydration.