Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 2/9/2006

Question
Dear Dr. Gotthelf,
My dog Sasha is 8 yrs old,and for the past year plus has this ugly crusty lesion on tip of nose. My vet did biopsy with lab reporting it as "Hyperkeratosis".
We gave dog chromium, zinc orally for 3 months.Did not work. I continue to give her this plus multivite daily.
Put dog on course of oral prednisone. Did not work.
Applied Kerasolv Gel containing Salicylic acid 6.6% and Urea for 2 months. Did not work.
Now I have been using Hydrocortisone cream 1% over past month, and it is not working.
Every week I can gently remove the thick crust from nose, and it just grows back.
The only medication Sasha is taking is Carafate 1/2 gm BID for ? colitis which started 4 years ago.
My Vet has no more remedies to offer, so we are back at square one.
Desperately seeking your expertise as a Dermotologist on this nose problem.?
I thank you for your time and input.

Sincerely,

Annette Burns.  

Answer
Hyperkeratosis on the nose is actually benign.  It can be related to things like rooting with the nose or even canine distemper virus.  Many vets seem to think this is related to hypothyroidism. It is usually a lifelong problem that needs to be treated daily.  I have heard of vets using laser to reduce the tissue.  I have not done this myself, however, so I can't tell you if it works.  It should.