SECTION
7
Health
Concerns
Discoid Lupus is an
autoimmune disease. Symptoms start with a pink area on the top of the nose
where the pigment disappears. It turns from black to pink. Initial cases
and mild symptoms are often mistaken for the dog just scraping it's nose.
Unlike "just" a scraped nose,
however, this does not slowly become re-pigmented, but instead often continues
spreading upward from the nose to the top of the dog's muzzle, deep sores
may develop around the edges of the nose, and finally around onto the front
part of the nose.
Sometimes the area just lacks
pigment and is smooth instead of rough like a normal nose. Other times
it becomes irritated or even forms scabs and seeps fluid.
This condition is very sensitive
to UV exposure so keeping the dog inside during peak sun hours and using
a sunscreen when the dog has to be outside makes a huge difference. Traditional
treatment is steroids - either oral or topical. New medications are
being developed.
Hypothyroidism