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New Maltese Information! Each Month, a New Maltese Topic
8-9-2010
Your Maltese’s Nose
There is more to a Maltese’s nose than one may think! Many dog owners do not think about their dog’s nose, until there is a health problem. Your Maltese’s nose is just as important to them as our eyes are for us. It is predicted that a Maltese can recognize smells approximately between 5000 times better than humans can.
It is important to understand what is normal and what is not normal with your Maltese’s nose.
Spotting any health issues in early stages is the best way to ensure fast recovery.
We will cover issues such as:
• Moisture
• Temperature
• Discharge
• Sneezing
• Color changes
• Cracks in the nose
• Crusting issues
• Dog nose diseases
Your Maltese’s Nose
There is more to a Maltese’s nose than one may think! Many dog owners do not think about their dog’s nose, until there is a health problem. Your Maltese’s nose is just as important to them as our eyes are for us. It is predicted that a Maltese can recognize smells approximately between 5000 times better than humans can.
It is important to understand what is normal and what is not normal with your Maltese’s nose.
Spotting any health issues in early stages is the best way to ensure fast recovery.
We will cover issues such as:
• Moisture
• Temperature
• Discharge
• Sneezing
• Color changes
• Cracks in the nose
• Crusting issues
• Dog nose diseases
Yummy, Healthy Home Cooking for the Maltese
Learn more about the differences between manufactured food and Home Cooked food, to help you make the right decision. Read More
Moisture
A dog’s nose is normally moist. This is because the nose attracts moisture molecules from the air, ground and other elements. A dog will also lick its nose to keep it moist. Inside a Maltese’s nose, there is also a lot of moisture. Compared to a human, a Maltese has about 10 times the amount of nasal membranes which hold nasal mucus.
Temperature
A dog's nose is usually cool and moist, but a warm, dry nose is not always a reason for concern.
A warm, dry dog nose can be a problem only if there are other characteristics associated with it, such as cracked skin, scabs or open sores with changes in the color of the nose.
Sunburns
Dogs can also be prone to sunburn on their noses which can lead to skin cancer. If you are to have your Maltese outside for any longer than 1 hour, it is always suggested to put sunscreen on the dog’s nose and tummy.
Sunburn on the nose can cause blistering. If blisters do appear, you should bring your Maltese to the veterinarian so that lotion and antibiotics can be prescribed.
Discharge
Maltese dogs do not get colds, nor does any other dog breed. However dogs can get:
• Sinus Infections
• Lung Infections
• Bacterial Rhinitis
• Kennel Cough
• Distemper
• Other medical issues that will make it seem as if your Maltese has a cold
It is normal for a Maltese to have a very mild runny nose at times. Many owners do not even notice this, as the dog may lick its nose before anyone sees it. However, it is not normal for a Maltese to have a full runny nose. This is a symptom of a medical issue.
Sneezing
One sneeze is fine. 50 are not. If your Maltese in continually sneezing, it is time to bring your dog to the veterinarian. If your Maltese sneezes this may be from:
• Allergies
• A nasal tumor
• A foreign object has gotten stuck in your Maltese’s nose - A Maltese owner should not try to remove any foreign object, as the inside of a Maltese’s nose is very sensitive and damage could be done. It is best to have a vet take a look; he may need to sedate the dog to properly remove the object. If the object has caused moderate to severe irritation or swelling, antibiotics will be prescribed..
Color Change
Many owners ask if it is normal for their Maltese’s nose to change color. The answer is yes, although some of this is preventable. The nose of your Maltese may change color because of:
• Eating dog food from a plastic dog dish or drinking water from a plastic dog bowl. Oddly enough, there is quite often a reaction that happens with many types of plastics & dog foods. This can then cause a color change on the Maltese’s nose. In some cases, this allergic reaction will also cause the dog’s lips to become swollen. If you suspect this, it is highly suggested to obtain stainless steel dog bowls for both dog food and for water for your Maltese.
• The sunlight can also affect nose coloring. Some Maltese's will have a nose that "fades" in colder months and then darkens in hot months. This does not cause harm. Some owners who do not wish for the fading fix this by choosing a sunny indoor spot in the colder months, and having their Maltese lay there for naps. The sun exposure through the window has been shown to work in many cases to bring a faded nose back to its normal color.
Cracks in a Maltese Nose
When a Maltese has a cracked nose, this is usually caused because of dry skin. The skin on a Maltese’s nose can dry out because of:
• Cold weather
• Low humidity in the air (inside or outside)
This usually happens in the winter time and for that reason, this is sometimes called:
• Snow nose
• Winter nose
When the dog’s nose is exposed to these conditions, the top layer of skin will peel off and you will see cracks in the dog’s nose. If a layer does come off, you will see a pink color underneath. When pink skin is showing, it is important to use sunscreen at all times that the dog is outside, even on cloudy days.
To help the cracked nose heal:
• Apply Petroleum Jelly several times each day
• Chapstick may be applied as a good alternative. Many dog owners find that this stays on longer and the dog can not wipe it off as easily.
• If the cracks do not improve after 1 week, it is time to take your Maltese to the vet for a checkup. There are is a vast array of canine diseases that can show symptoms of a dry and/or cracked nose. Testing will need to be done to check for them. Among them is an abnormal thyroid level, which can be diagnosed with a blood test.
Crusting Issues
If your Maltese has a build up of crust on the nose with or without a fluid discharge, this is a medical condition which requires treatment from the veterinarian. This is medically called Nasal Solar Dermatitis and commonly known as Collie Nose.
Without treatment, the crusting can turn into cracking, bleeding and problems breathing. With still no treatment, a dog can develop cancer.
This will be diagnosed and confirmed with a small skin biopsy. This is caused by a dog having an allergic reaction to the sunlight, therefore applying sunscreen when this health issue first develops is the best step to help a dog’s nose heal back to normal.
In other cases, a fungus infection is the cause and anti-fungal medication will be prescribed.
Dog Nose Diseases and Conditions
Vitiligo
A dog’s nose may begin to show white or lighter colored spots from this skin disease. If your Maltese does have this, it usually does not develop until a Maltese is about 2 years old. This is also called “Pink Nose Syndrome”.
Studies are still ongoing for the cause of this canine health issue. Among the theories of what causes this are: Stress, worms, auto-immune disorders.
In some cases, a veterinarian will prescribe Corticosteroid cream to be applied to the Maltese’s nose. This condition is not painful and is usually cannot be reversed. It is theorized that not exposing the dog to sunlight for long periods of time may help. Some dog owners, who have dogs with vitiligo, will apply a colored dye to the dog’s nose before a conformance event. This is not a good idea, as with most dog clubs, you and your Maltese may be barred from any future events if you are caught doing this.
Most dog owners do not care about white or light spots on their dog’s nose. However, it is not uncommon for a Maltese owner to have the nose “tattooed” by an experienced veterinarian. This is a permanent method to get rid of the lighter skin color and have the dog’s nose all one color again.
Dudley Nose
When a dog has a Dudley nose, this is the term used to explain a nose that has 2 separate colorings, such as brown and light tan or black and white. This is not a disease and it is not a health issue. It is simply the coloring of the dog. With a Dudley nose, the dog is usually born with this coloring.
Cyclic Depigmentation
This is the most common reason for a dog to lose coloring on their nose. This usually happens with adult dogs (over 2 years old) who have black noses. Studies are still being done to try and pin down what causes this. This is not yet treatable. It is highly recommended to put sunscreen on your dog’s nose, as any white or very light areas will be very prone to a burn.
To Summarize
They say that "the nose knows!" However, when it comes to your Maltese it must by you who "knows" how to spot dog nose health issues to treat them as soon as possible.
Temperature
A dog's nose is usually cool and moist, but a warm, dry nose is not always a reason for concern.
A warm, dry dog nose can be a problem only if there are other characteristics associated with it, such as cracked skin, scabs or open sores with changes in the color of the nose.
Sunburns
Dogs can also be prone to sunburn on their noses which can lead to skin cancer. If you are to have your Maltese outside for any longer than 1 hour, it is always suggested to put sunscreen on the dog’s nose and tummy.
Sunburn on the nose can cause blistering. If blisters do appear, you should bring your Maltese to the veterinarian so that lotion and antibiotics can be prescribed.
Discharge
Maltese dogs do not get colds, nor does any other dog breed. However dogs can get:
• Sinus Infections
• Lung Infections
• Bacterial Rhinitis
• Kennel Cough
• Distemper
• Other medical issues that will make it seem as if your Maltese has a cold
It is normal for a Maltese to have a very mild runny nose at times. Many owners do not even notice this, as the dog may lick its nose before anyone sees it. However, it is not normal for a Maltese to have a full runny nose. This is a symptom of a medical issue.
Sneezing
One sneeze is fine. 50 are not. If your Maltese in continually sneezing, it is time to bring your dog to the veterinarian. If your Maltese sneezes this may be from:
• Allergies
• A nasal tumor
• A foreign object has gotten stuck in your Maltese’s nose - A Maltese owner should not try to remove any foreign object, as the inside of a Maltese’s nose is very sensitive and damage could be done. It is best to have a vet take a look; he may need to sedate the dog to properly remove the object. If the object has caused moderate to severe irritation or swelling, antibiotics will be prescribed..
Color Change
Many owners ask if it is normal for their Maltese’s nose to change color. The answer is yes, although some of this is preventable. The nose of your Maltese may change color because of:
• Eating dog food from a plastic dog dish or drinking water from a plastic dog bowl. Oddly enough, there is quite often a reaction that happens with many types of plastics & dog foods. This can then cause a color change on the Maltese’s nose. In some cases, this allergic reaction will also cause the dog’s lips to become swollen. If you suspect this, it is highly suggested to obtain stainless steel dog bowls for both dog food and for water for your Maltese.
• The sunlight can also affect nose coloring. Some Maltese's will have a nose that "fades" in colder months and then darkens in hot months. This does not cause harm. Some owners who do not wish for the fading fix this by choosing a sunny indoor spot in the colder months, and having their Maltese lay there for naps. The sun exposure through the window has been shown to work in many cases to bring a faded nose back to its normal color.
Cracks in a Maltese Nose
When a Maltese has a cracked nose, this is usually caused because of dry skin. The skin on a Maltese’s nose can dry out because of:
• Cold weather
• Low humidity in the air (inside or outside)
This usually happens in the winter time and for that reason, this is sometimes called:
• Snow nose
• Winter nose
When the dog’s nose is exposed to these conditions, the top layer of skin will peel off and you will see cracks in the dog’s nose. If a layer does come off, you will see a pink color underneath. When pink skin is showing, it is important to use sunscreen at all times that the dog is outside, even on cloudy days.
To help the cracked nose heal:
• Apply Petroleum Jelly several times each day
• Chapstick may be applied as a good alternative. Many dog owners find that this stays on longer and the dog can not wipe it off as easily.
• If the cracks do not improve after 1 week, it is time to take your Maltese to the vet for a checkup. There are is a vast array of canine diseases that can show symptoms of a dry and/or cracked nose. Testing will need to be done to check for them. Among them is an abnormal thyroid level, which can be diagnosed with a blood test.
Crusting Issues
If your Maltese has a build up of crust on the nose with or without a fluid discharge, this is a medical condition which requires treatment from the veterinarian. This is medically called Nasal Solar Dermatitis and commonly known as Collie Nose.
Without treatment, the crusting can turn into cracking, bleeding and problems breathing. With still no treatment, a dog can develop cancer.
This will be diagnosed and confirmed with a small skin biopsy. This is caused by a dog having an allergic reaction to the sunlight, therefore applying sunscreen when this health issue first develops is the best step to help a dog’s nose heal back to normal.
In other cases, a fungus infection is the cause and anti-fungal medication will be prescribed.
Dog Nose Diseases and Conditions
Vitiligo
A dog’s nose may begin to show white or lighter colored spots from this skin disease. If your Maltese does have this, it usually does not develop until a Maltese is about 2 years old. This is also called “Pink Nose Syndrome”.
Studies are still ongoing for the cause of this canine health issue. Among the theories of what causes this are: Stress, worms, auto-immune disorders.
In some cases, a veterinarian will prescribe Corticosteroid cream to be applied to the Maltese’s nose. This condition is not painful and is usually cannot be reversed. It is theorized that not exposing the dog to sunlight for long periods of time may help. Some dog owners, who have dogs with vitiligo, will apply a colored dye to the dog’s nose before a conformance event. This is not a good idea, as with most dog clubs, you and your Maltese may be barred from any future events if you are caught doing this.
Most dog owners do not care about white or light spots on their dog’s nose. However, it is not uncommon for a Maltese owner to have the nose “tattooed” by an experienced veterinarian. This is a permanent method to get rid of the lighter skin color and have the dog’s nose all one color again.
Dudley Nose
When a dog has a Dudley nose, this is the term used to explain a nose that has 2 separate colorings, such as brown and light tan or black and white. This is not a disease and it is not a health issue. It is simply the coloring of the dog. With a Dudley nose, the dog is usually born with this coloring.
Cyclic Depigmentation
This is the most common reason for a dog to lose coloring on their nose. This usually happens with adult dogs (over 2 years old) who have black noses. Studies are still being done to try and pin down what causes this. This is not yet treatable. It is highly recommended to put sunscreen on your dog’s nose, as any white or very light areas will be very prone to a burn.
To Summarize
They say that "the nose knows!" However, when it comes to your Maltese it must by you who "knows" how to spot dog nose health issues to treat them as soon as possible.
Looking for much more Maltese information? Do you have a Maltese question and would love direct advice from the PetMaltese Experts? Forget about those silly little books that already tell you what you know ! It is time for something different!
