Why Is My French Bulldog's Nose Dry and Crusty?

Why is a wet and cold nose a sign of health among french bulldogs?

Excessive dryness of the nose can indicate health issues in your puppy. Though it is often harmless, lack of the canine nasal mucosa membrane covering the exterior and turbinates (fine bones) inside a dog noses, should not be overlooked.

According to iHeartDogs, Due to the appearance of nasal hyperkeratosis, we can assume a French bulldog's medical condition.

According to PetMD, The dryness, also known as nasodigitalis is a sign that the mucous membrane that dogs rely on to release moisturizing secretions, is underperforming. This can refer to a weak immune system, which could be confirmed after a full examination.

Healthy appearance of a French Bulldog's nose means everything is functioning properly. Also, the wet surface reacts upon the 300 million olfactory receptors.

This means the dog's sense of smell which is usually 40 times better than humans, may not be as powerful when sensing possible danger.

What are some health traits of French bulldogs?

While attending a large American kennel club, you may think to buy a thoroughbred pup. It's a common belief that buying a thoroughbred French bulldog guarantees the purchase of a healthy puppy.

On the contrary, in some cases inherited health issues are more prevalent among purebred dogs. Mixing specific dog breeds seems to cancel out the high risk of diseases.

Still, purchasing from breeders that have maintained a USDA license ensures that the puppy has all of its inspection records. The Humane Society of the U.S. can then verify you for different courses and treatments regarding French Bulldogs.

The French bulldog's tail is short and thick, but if it is not, do not cut it. Breeders with certification should note that sometimes a newborn Frenchie's tail bone is exposed.

Every day after deciding on the breed of the French bulldog, you will have the opportunity to interact with a beautiful and infinitely faithful creature.

This short-hairy, muscular dog requires no special training and is characterized by a flexible attitude, but remember that the dog is not a plaything and requires a great deal of gentleness and care.

According to TrendingBreeds, A Frenchie pup's color is also very significant to its health. Tawny, red, black and brindle color dogs with marks are the standard colors. A pup with a pure black coat is sought after but it may not be the healthiest.

For example, deafness is hereditary in completely white or completely black-furred French Bulldogs. Many genetic diseases can kill young purebred French bulldog puppies shortly after they're born.

Do household products cause my Frenchie's nose to become dry, painful and crusty?

Everyone is used to seeing dry noses on dogs and understanding them as indicators of illness. It's true in a sense, although it's not the absolute truth.

One of the most common causes of the dry, crusty noses of puppies is allergies. For example, with plastics of poor quality, such as small animal toys, water bowls, and food which includes low-quality fillers, this can often happen.

Even pollen, dust, plant chemicals (like detergents) may give your French Bulldog allergic reactions. Some varieties of Bulldog are known to have an allergic reaction to some foods. A dry nose may also almost always confirms the cold present in your dog.

According to PetMD, For example, as a result of an injury, other injuries can occur, which is why the nose can dry out. Swelling, scabies or ulcers can be detected. There may also be an autoimmune disease in the dog, such as pemphigus disease.

After these hyperactive symptoms are observed, it is worth replacing plastic bowls with stainless steel dishes and higher quality toys. If the puppy is suspected to be allergic to a food product, it is best to seek the veterinarian's assistance.

If the dog also has other cold symptoms, the situation can be relieved by lubricating the nose tip with a marigold ointment. If the animal's body temperature increases, consult your veterinarian if there is any suspicion of disease or pemphigus.

Before you panic over your pet's dry nose, you must know in which situations it is a perfectly normal phenomenon. For example, the nose of a dog becomes dry and hot during sleep, or when they feel nervous tension or stress.

What are the personal characteristics of dry-nose puppies?

Do not suspect an intense reaction to treatment if they are not experiencing the necessary symptoms of growing pains.

According to WorldWideScience, This would indicate that your French Bulldog's nose is actually in its natural state.

Some dogs have a specific nasal structure, a passive mucosa, and slow metabolism. Usually, these dogs have a lifetime of hot or dry noses.

What is the cause of the dry nose?

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Severe cases of dry nose bulldogs derive from a form of keratinization.

The most common infections in genetically determined diseases are the following keratinization processes:

• ichthyosis,
• leishmaniasis,
• pemphigus folliculitis,
• pharmacological reactions,
• systemic lupus erythematosus,
• congenital skin conditions in response to zinc treatment,
• migratory redness necrolysis,
• lymphoma hyperkeratosis

Among them is Nasodigital hyperkeratosis.

Nasodigital hyperkeratosis – the nose becomes dry, coarse and hyperkeratotic when the overproduction of keratin occurs on the back of the nose of French Bulldogs.

Symptoms: Erosion, tears, abscesses, irritation and potentially serious injury.

Description and Reasons

Nasodigital hyperkeratosis is a disease identified by overproduction of keratin in the nasal passages. It usually forms for unknown reasons and is often recognized on the noses and paws of old French bulldogs. It can be idiopathic due to as underlying pathology which occurs with congenital diseases.

If not treated, the surface of the wound and the surface of the breaking of the skin worsens. Thus, the back part of the nose undergoes friction during feeding, which prevents the keratin excess from being eliminated properly.

Due to cracks in the nostrils, the keratin layer is visible in areas where bulldog noses have less contact with frictional surfaces. Hyperkeratosis is secondary to bone fracture with symptoms of underlying disease or illness.

Diagnosis 

The diagnosis is based on specific clinical indications and generally does not lead to complications. Hyperkeratosis, which is dependent on the underlying infection, is recognized as a probable cause in many diagnostic tests.

These tests usually detect the symptoms which cause dog noses to dry out. In histopathological variations of the idiopathic disease model of epidermal hyperplasia associated with keratotic hyperkeratosis or severe parakeratosis, there are no other symptomatic indicators of an underlying disease.

Elimination of excess keratin is not permanent but the goal of treatment is to reduce hyperkeratosis in phases.

Hyperkeratosis Removal

For French bulldogs with critical hyperkeratosis and a significant amount of keratin, the tough skin can be removed with a knife or scalpel. This can be done at home by the pet owner after receiving proper instructions from a specialist.

For many Frenchies, this is perhaps the only way to improve the condition of the disorder. In most cases, cutting is only used at the beginning of the hyperkeratosis therapy, with the removal of excess keratin through hydration and the use of a moisturizer or skin softener.

Is there anything you can do on your own after noticing a dry nose?

Local treatment, as indicated above, begins with cutting excess keratin before applying the moisturizing cream to the lesion for 5 to 10 minutes, followed by the use of keratolytic agents.

The use of this treatment also depends on the severity of the bulldog's wounds and the increase of secondary complications. It can be crude for removing lesions on the nose.

Instead, optimal treatment alternatives can be observed without professional medicine in mild cases. Some home remedies may be enough to use for your dog.

Home Remedies:

• Shea butter
• Coconut oil
• Olive oil
• Hydration
• Vinegar
• Virgin Olive oil
• Vitamin E oil
• Specialized Canine care products

We understand the causes and other symptoms. All owners who are concerned by the behavior of their dog will probably feel its nose-first. If it's cold and wet, everything's fine, if it's dry and hot, something can be used to relieve the discomfort.

In principle, you can start with some natural fats & oils. They can help to improve the dog's nose condition but since it is a kind of well-being indicator, you want to do more than just soothe it with a bulldog nose balm product.

Prescribed Treatments

Antibiotics and corticosteroid ointment are used when the nose skin breaks. Generally, the duration of the first treatment is 7 to 10 days, during which the lesion returns to an almost normal state.

The treatment is terminated for a while or continues at a reduced rate (1 to 2 times a week). In any case, the treatment depends on the condition of the wound and the preferences of the pet owner.

When should I bring my puppy to see a specialist? 

There are many reasons for a dog's dry nose, both harmless and dangerous. You may not understand why, but don't panic. A veterinarian can help you get to the root of the problem.

According to the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, For instance, French bulldogs do not only suffer from nose dryness, but the shortness of their nose is vulnerable to Brachycephalic Respiratory Syndrome or Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS) which can increase irregular sleep patterns.

You must schedule routine visits to the veterinarian to detect symptoms of hyperkeratosis, pemphigus, BAOS, etc. to ensure the gradual improvement of your dog's overall health.