Issue with nose skin

Hi, we recently adopted a retired Greyhound. As you can see, his pink nose is adorable but we are winding if a VET could tell us if it’s treatable or just manageable. He has been tested for lupus and results were clear. His trainer told the greyhound rescue he has been like this from birth. We are just using snout balm and coconut oil at the moment but it just keeps crusting up and sometimes bleeding. Thanks in advance.

Hello - I am a vet but I'm afraid that I'm going to disappoint you, because until I know what is causing that clinical sign in your particular dog, it is impossible to know whether it is going to be treatable. The vet, who has presumably examined the patient - and by the sounds of it, carried out at least one test - will probably know more than me regarding which differentials (possibilities) they are now most concerned about.  If that vet isn't his current vet, then your current vet may be able to ask for the clinical history, which would clear up any doubt as to when the condition started. Once they have examined the dog, it would be a good idea to ask what's on their differentials list.  There is some wriggle-room in your question regarding what you mean by 'cured' because the condition could turn out to be a chronic one, which might be 'managed' rather than cured.  Differentials that spring to my mind from a photo alone include cancers, endocrine (hormonal) diseases, lupus (because I dont know whether or not enough has been done, to rule it out), or other autoimmune disease.  I'm sure that your vet wouldn't leave it there - bloods or a biopsy, for example, may give more information.  I think that this is well worth looking into.

Thank you so much for your reply. The rescue centre assured us it was ‘probably just something he was born with or an allergy to the paper bedding they use’ but we really feel like it could be something else. We will definitely book him into a new vets. It was the rescue centres vets that did a biopsy for Discoid lupus under a general anaesthetic. Your reply has been really helpful. by cured or managed I meant could this just be something he was born with that just needs moisturiser regularly or if it may need lifetime medication. (I’m thinking it still could be lupus if I’m honest so I think I was just trying to see if someone thought the same and we may have needed a second opinion)

I imagine that whichever vets you use in future would like to see a copy of that existing biopsy report if you are able to access it. The rescue would have to authorize this. Wishing you all the best going forward - and please do let us know what is found.

Yes - personally I would want more information and I would expect a reputable rescue to provide notes relating to any unresolved issues that they have had investigated by a vet, in advance of rehoming the animal.