My dog's nose is raw from digging, and home remedies aren't working.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Frank. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. I am worried about his nose. It is possible that he has an autoimmune skin disease that is resulting in the signs you see. If his veterinarian suspects this to be the case, he will likely need a biopsy taken from the nose. Based on these results, treatment can be prescribed. This issue is not likely related to his intestinal parasites. I hope this information helps!

Your dog may have rubbed it raw, under the couch or through the fence maybe? I suggest washing the area gently with antibacterial soap and water. Apply a warm washcloth 2-3 times a day for five minutes at a time to help keep it clean and draining. After washing and the compress, dry thoroughly and apply a dab of antibiotic ointment that **does NOT** contain hydrocortisone to the wound. Steroids will slow healing. An OTC triple antibiotic ointment will suffice. Rub it in well and don't leave any excess for your pet to lick off. If it does not show signs of healing or if your dog develops a fever, loses his appetite, starts vomiting or has diarrhea have him seen by your veterinarian right away. Potential cause may include allergies, infection, automimmune disease or even cancer. An e-collar (cone) may be used to prevent rubbing or pawing.

So, there are a number of things this could be. 1) This could be an allergic response to something in her environment or an insect, 2) This could be a fungal or bacterial infection that could be primary OR secondary to trauma or an allergy. Ideally I would do a prep on a slide and look under the microscope to see if there is a significant bacterial or yeast population. Regardless, however, I think she would benefit from some topical treatment depending on what is seen under the microscope. If it seems to be spreading, and the area is swollen, some injectable or oral medications may be indicated.

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This appears to be a small surface abrasion on her nose. I would recommend trying to limit Saml ability to dig and root in the blankets while her nose heals. Typically applying any topical medications to a lesion such as this can cause them to try to rub it more, exacerbating the problem. Keep her nose clean and dry, using a warm, damp washcloth if needed to clean it. Maybe for a few days try to limit her access to the blankets or remove any toys or treats she likes to "bury".

That looks like either a pretty good scrape or the start of a ringworm infection or an uncommon disorder called eosinophilic furunculosis. I wouldn’t put any medication on it yet, as medication such as cortisone could make it worse if it is ringworm, but I would do a warm water and Epsom salt compress a few times the next 1-2 days. If it starts to scab over and dry up it is probably just a scrape. However if it is getting larger, or if another one pops up then she should be evaluated by a veterinarian soon. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Dry skin and loss of hair like that can sometimes happen if your dog likes to dig. Over time a callus can form that may cause a similar appearance. That said, with any new growth, it's always best to have it checked by your vet to rule out other causes such as skin or fungal infections, tumors/cancers, allergies, or parasites. Your vet can take a skin scraping of the affected area to be tested or looked at under a microscope. In the meantime, keeping the area clean and dry and keeping Beasley from rubbing it (or digging) may help reduce irritation.

Hello. This can be several things. She may have picked up a bacterial infection while rooting around in the soil. This could also be some kind of allergic reaction or possibly even an immune-mediated response. You should have your veterinarian check this out as the right diagnosis will led to the correct treatment ( if anything is necessary ), especially if it is getting worse. Hope all is well & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.