What temperature should a dog's nose be? What kind of nose should a healthy dog ​​have? Causes of a dry, hot nose

In this article I will talk about the causes of dry or elevated nose temperature in a dog. I will describe possible diseases and why it is hot or warm, and what to do. I’ll tell you what your nose should be like, when dry is normal, dangerous or not.

Reasons why a dog has a dry nose

A wet and cold nose in an adult dog or puppy indicates that the pet is feeling well.

Causes of dryness:

  • Allergy.
  • Stress.
  • Cold.
  • Dehydration.
  • Sudden change in weather.
  • Injury.

It occurs not only on certain foods in the diet, but also on dust, pollen, chemicals, materials (plastics). An allergic reaction manifests itself in a rash on the skin, lethargy of the pet, runny eyes, sneezing, and loss of appetite. A walk in the spring among flowering plants can cause an allergic reaction, even if everything was fine a year ago. Bowls and toys made from low-quality plastic should be checked first.

A dog's stress can be caused by a change of owners, moving, change of environment, or punishment. The depressed state of the dog provokes a lack of attention from the owner. Daily walks, games and contact with your pet will help avoid attention deficit and support him even in the most difficult moments of life.

A pet with a cold coughs and sneezes. A cold can be identified by a lethargic state, refusal to play or eat, and elevated temperature.

Dehydration is expressed in a depressed state of the dog, he tries to move less, and in this case the body pressure is increased.

Dogs react to changes in weather; dryness can appear due to strong winds, snowfall, frost or abnormal heat.

An injured pet experiences pain and the nostrils become dry. In this case, you need to examine the dog for damage, and if there are wounds, you need to treat them and take the pet to a veterinary clinic. A fight with wild animals is dangerous; the dog’s opponent may be a carrier of the rabies virus, in which case unvaccinated pets become infected, and the chance of survival is reduced to zero.

Causes of a hot or warm nose

An increase in the temperature of the nose and its dryness indicate that the pet is sick. To all the causes of dryness are added increased temperature and pressure.

Hot indicates that the animal has a fever; by measuring it, you can understand what exactly is happening to the dog. Dogs' temperature changes rectally. You need to lubricate the end of the thermometer with Vaseline and insert it into the anus. The procedure will be unpleasant for the dog, so the presence of the owner is important for him. It is recommended to speak affectionately to your pet, calling it by name, or stroking it.

An increase in temperature of 1 degree during estrus is normal.

If the temperature rises higher, the bitch should be checked for diseases of the reproductive system or sexually transmitted infections.

The symptom may warn of high or low blood pressure in the dog. Blood pressure is measured with a veterinary tonometer. Normal blood pressure in medium and large breed dogs is 150 x 90 mm. For small breeds, the norm is different - 170 by 90 mm.


When a dry nose is normal

Dryness and increased temperature of the nose are normal immediately after the animal awakens.

During sleep, your body temperature rises and your nostrils dry out. In hot and dry weather, the dog’s organ dries out, in such conditions the dog is at risk of dehydration, so it is necessary to provide the dog with clean water in large quantities and in constant access. If an animal sleeps near the stove and fireplace, it dries out from exposure to outside temperature.

When to contact a veterinarian

You should seek professional help or advice if ulcers, rashes, or sores appear on your animal’s skin. Diarrhea, frequent belching, vomiting, cough and shortness of breath are symptoms that appear due to gastrointestinal upset, poisoning or infection in the blood. In all these cases, a trip to the veterinarian cannot be postponed.

An eating disorder appears even when eating foods that are completely familiar to the dog. If symptoms appear, you need to review your pet’s diet with your veterinarian and, if necessary, create a new one.

If your nose is extremely dry in hot or cold weather, it is recommended to lubricate your nose with a drop of hypoallergenic ointment based on calendula.


What a healthy nose should be like

The pet's nostrils may dry out and become wet several times a day; this only indicates good heat exchange and reaction to the environment.

A dry and hot nose is not a disease itself, but rather one of its symptoms.

At room temperature, a healthy dog ​​will feel damp and cold when awake.

If your pet has noticed dryness and increased temperature of the nose, you need to observe the pet and find out more about its condition, and if other symptoms appear, contact a veterinarian.

Most owners know what their healthy dog's nose should be like - cool and moist - this is a sign of good health. This is true, however, if your pet’s nose becomes dry and warm, this does not mean that he is sick. Let's try to figure out what a dog's nose should be like and what signs to look for.

Dogs have a nose, just like many other animals., covered with special secretions - mucus, produced by cells. With its help, our four-legged friends detect the slightest vibrations in the air and sense the approach of the enemy. Thus, a dog's nose should normally be wet and cold. But what to do if suddenly your pet’s “nasal planum” becomes hot and dry? Don't immediately panic and run to the vet. This could happen for completely harmless reasons.

There may be the following reasons:

In all of these signs, warming of the nose is a short-term and normal phenomenon.

Signs of a pet's illness

If the nose is not wet for a long time(from several hours to several days), then your pet needs increased attention from the owner. Along with the “nasal indicator”, other signs may indicate the disease:

What diseases cause the nose to be dry and warm?

Remember! Humans also suffer from rabies. A sick animal poses a mortal threat to the people and animals around it.

Normally, a dog's nose should be wet and cold. If your nose becomes dry and hot and you suspect that your four-legged friend is sick, contact your veterinarian. It won’t go away on its own, and self-medication can only do harm. Show care and attention to your pet, and he will give you all his love.

Many people know that a dog has wet, cool nose - an indicator of the dog’s normal well-being, but what to do if the dog has a dry, warm nose and does this correspond to the normal state of the animal. In this article we will try to figure out when this condition is normal and when it is worth taking your pet to the veterinarian.

A dog's nose is dry and warm under normal conditions.

Dogs' noses are usually wet and cold due to cells located on the lining of the nose that secrete their secretion - mucus, which moisturizes the nose and plays a major role in dogs' recognition of odors.

A sleeping dog's nose is dry and warm.

A dry, warm nose in dogs under normal conditions occurs when:

  • the pet is sleeping, recently woke up;
  • tired from walking;
  • at home in winter, with dry air;
  • in summer, spring - a simple reaction to the heat.

It is normal for a pet to have a dry nose, as long as the animal maintains mobility, good appetite, playfulness, and a good mood.

As a sign of pain

If an animal’s nose remains dry and warm for a long time, one may suspect:

  1. Nose injury.
  2. Pemphigus.

The nose remains dry for a long time if the dog has a cold.

This most common reasons , which may cause the problem of dry nose. To understand what needs to be done in such situations, we will consider each separately.

Allergy

Are you sure your pet has allergies? The first step is to find out the root cause.

To begin with, determine whether this has happened before; if this is the first time, think about what has changed recently in the pet’s life.

If this has happened before, think about whether this is a seasonal allergy to plants. In other cases, we can advise changing the bowl from plastic to steel, periodically changing the food, and monitoring the results. It is quite possible that the favorite dish with which your pet is pampered is the dog’s worst enemy.

Dogs may have seasonal allergies to plants.

Cold

In addition to a dry, warm nose, a cold is indicated by:

  • sneezing;

A cough indicates a cold in dogs.

When the virus is released, the pet will regain mobility, appetite, good mood, and a wet and cold nose.

But it is worth remembering that if the animal only has a dry, warm olfactory organ, this may be the cause of a serious illness and under such conditions it is best to immediately contact a veterinarian.

Nose injury

Injury to the olfactory organ can be easily determined by the soreness of the organ.

If you have never encountered such a problem, it is better to visit a veterinarian, and if you have experience and confidence behind you, go for it, but do not forget that we are talking about the health of the animal.

If your nose is injured, you should definitely visit a veterinarian.

Pemphigus

Pemphigus – a common disease in dogs that causes blisters on the nose. Over time, the blisters burst, covering the nose with a crust. The disease is accompanied by dry, warm nose. A characteristic sign of the disease is the appearance of blisters on other parts of the body.

Pemphigus in a dog.

Signs accompanying dry nose in diseases

Have you noticed that your pet has a dry, warm nose? Look at:

  • the animal’s appetite, as a rule, does not change without reason;
  • activity, because if a pet is sick, his desire to have fun disappears;
  • aggressiveness, which is a similar trait for sick people and dogs, as both will show aggression;
  • temperature, which will help identify the disease;
  • pressure - will help further narrow the circle of suspicion, because this parameter deviates from the norm only in certain diseases.

If a dog is sick, it will not be active.

It is worth noting that if an animal suffers from any disease, it tries to find a secluded place, enduring suffering in this place.

Dog temperature

It deserves special attention and this sign is easy to identify the disease if the dog has a dry, warm nose. We suggest you familiarize yourself with the normal temperature values ​​for dogs of different ages and sizes:

  • For small breed dogs – 38.6-39.3, 38.5–39 for puppies and adults, respectively;
  • For medium breed dogs – 38.3–39.1 for puppies, 37.5–39 for adults;
  • For large breed dogs – 38.2–39 and 37.4–38.3 for small and adult individuals.

The normal temperature for small dog breeds is from 38.5 to 39.

In dogs of some breeds, the temperature can vary to other values; if you see deviations, it is better to visit a veterinarian, who, in case of illness, will cure it, and if it is normal, will inform you about the characteristics of the dog’s breed regarding this parameter.

Dependence of temperature on dog behavior

And also, you should not take into account the increase in temperature of a dog that is experiencing a feeling of fear, is worried, or has recently returned from a walk.

If you see that your pet has been inactive lately and has a dry and warm nose, use an electronic or mercury thermometer to measure the animal’s temperature. This is not difficult, but you need to behave correctly with your pet so that it reacts calmly to the procedure. Measurement is carried out rectally; before measurement, reduce the temperature to a minimum and treat the end with Vaseline.

It is better to use an electronic thermometer to measure temperature.

When taking measurements, you need the pet to lie on its side. It is worth holding the animal. After inserting the thermometer, wait one to two minutes if you are measuring with an electronic thermometer, or four to five minutes if you are measuring with a mercury thermometer, after which the latter can be removed, it will show the dog’s exact body temperature.

Pressure

Your pet has a dry, warm nose, after checking everything, measuring the temperature, you’re not sure if he’s sick?

You can try measuring the dog's blood pressure level, which is done using a special veterinary tonometer.

Veterinary tonometer for measuring blood pressure.

You can use the device that you use yourself, if you don’t have a special one, but you should choose a cuff for children. Measure the pressure on the paw or tail of the animal.

To find out the normal blood pressure for dogs of the same breed and size, you should turn to the Internet for help.

Though this indicator is not considered an accurate reflection of the disease in the dog, since the pet is often restless, but in combination with other signs it can give a more accurate picture, pointing to the original source of the appearance of a dry and hot nose in a dog.

What to do if your dog has a dry and warm nose

If you find that your pet has a dry, warm olfactory organ, do not panic. Look at the animal’s habits, what has changed, whether the pet has diarrhea, whether the breathing rate is normal. Knowing how your dog usually behaves will help you understand how he is feeling. If there are no external signs of disease, it is worth measuring the pet’s temperature and, if possible, measuring blood pressure.

The best thing for your pet is not to put unnecessary stress on him by calling the veterinarian to your home, losing a little money, although it is worth it. If your dog has a low temperature, you should take your dog to the vet wrapped in a warm blanket, or wrap the dog in something.

If the temperature is low, the dog should be wrapped in a blanket and taken to the veterinarian.

If you are sure that your dog has a dry, warm nose due to infection with an infectious disease, the best option would be to call a veterinarian at home. You should not infect other animals in the veterinary office.

First aid

Personally, you can do the following for your pet:

  • replace the bowl with a stainless steel one;
  • in summer and spring, walk away from flowering plants;
  • for prevention purposes, you can lubricate your nose with ointment with calendula extract, or aloe juice;
  • in winter, use a cotton swab dipped in warm water to wipe your nose;
  • Regardless of the disease, he makes sure that the dog’s water is always fresh and clean.

For prevention, the dog’s nose can be lubricated with aloe juice.

If the animal, in addition to the dry, warm olfactory organ, has external or internal signs that were noticed, you need to contact a veterinarian. Before visiting, you should not give your pet medications or pills; this may complicate the process of diagnosing the disease.

conclusions

If you take good care of your pet, you can easily detect illness or illness without touching the nose. It is better to be attentive, giving your pets a lot of attention and love.

You need to treat your dog carefully and be sure to love it!

Video about dry nose in dogs

A pet cannot tell its owner how it is feeling. However, you can determine the cause of an animal’s concern, for example, by its nose. In today's article we will talk about what kind of nose a healthy dog ​​should have.

Anatomical features

The dog's nose is almost always wet and cool. The famous zoologist Knut Schmidt-Nielsen put forward his theory of why dogs have wet noses. He claims that our four-legged friends do not have sweat glands, and a wet nose saves them from overheating.

During rapid breathing in extreme heat, the dog sticks out its tongue, thus increasing cooling. At this time, the nose takes an active part in heat exchange. The mucus that is constantly secreted helps a moist nose to detect odors. Therefore, it is the dog that has an excellent sense of smell, thanks to which it orients itself in space. Naturally, the loss of this opportunity will affect the dog’s behavior.

Video “Causes of a dry nose in a dog”

In this video, your veterinarian will explain why your dog may have a dry nose.

Normal condition

In a healthy state, the nose should be cool, because when the temperature rises, the mucous membrane quickly dries out and cannot produce secretions. There is an opinion that if a dog’s nose is hot, and not cold and wet, then the pet is not entirely healthy. However, such a condition does not necessarily indicate the presence of malaise.

Why under some circumstances the nose can be dry - you will learn about this further.

So, puppies have a dry nose both after active pastime and after sleep. Some time after waking up, the nose becomes wet. It happens that a dog encounters something and the secretion production is disrupted, as a result - the nose becomes dry. After a while, secretion production resumes and the condition of the nose will become normal. If the animal is tired, the condition of the mucous membrane worsens. After rest, everything returns to normal.

A high temperature of the mucous membrane indicates that the animal has a fever. This could be a viral infection, injury, or an inflammatory process in one of the organs. If the pet is lethargic, constantly drinks, does not want to eat, is irritable, and is looking for a secluded place so that everyone will leave it alone, this is an alarming signal. The dog is sick and needs hospitalization. Try taking your temperature. Different dog breeds may have different normal parameters.

Before visiting a veterinary hospital, your pet's condition can be improved. Constant access to water must be provided. During viral infections, the animal must drink a lot. In winter, you can apply a cotton swab dipped in water or saline solution to your nose. Treating your nose with fresh aloe juice will have a good effect.

On the eve of an examination by a veterinarian, you should not give your dog any medications, as the clinical picture of the disease will be blurred.

During allergic reactions, the nose may also be dry. One possible reason is a plastic feeding bowl. It is best to buy a stainless steel bowl for your pets. The reaction can also be caused by the flowering of indoor plants - in this case the plant should be taken out of the apartment.

The condition of a dog's nose will tell the owner of the animal a lot. This is a kind of indicator that signals any problems in the pet’s body. By carefully observing your pet, you can very quickly determine that he feels bad or, on the contrary, is healthy and full of energy. Any disease changes the appearance, temperature and humidity of the nose. Noticing signs of ill health in a timely manner will help you avoid many troubles and will tell you when you need to see a doctor.

Norm

A cold and wet nose in an adult dog or puppy is an indicator of normal health. Why do these signs indicate good health:

  • The dog has no sweat glands. A wet nose evaporates excess water instead. It also saves you from overheating in hot weather. When purchasing a puppy, it is important to pay attention to the condition of this organ.
  • The mucus produced by the nose moisturizes it, preventing the skin from drying out, since the dog perceives the world 90% through smell.

When you don't need to worry

Some people believe that a warm and dry nose is a sign of illness. It is not always so. There is no need to worry in the following cases:

  • In the morning, when the dog is sleeping or has just woken up. During sleep, all metabolic processes slow down.
  • In hot weather. The fact that the dog is hot is indicated by its protruding tongue and rapid breathing. You can bathe your pet in cool water or wet his paw pads.
  • During the heating season, when the air in the apartment is dry and warm.
  • For minor trauma to the surface of the nose. A simple scratch can cause temporary dryness and increased temperature of a sensitive organ.
  • During estrus in females. Hormonal surges can change the condition of the nose.
  • After a long active walk. Physical overwork or fatigue affects the condition of the nose.
  • When the weather changes. The dog's nose is sensitive to such indicators.
  • When replacing baby teeth in puppies. The humidity and temperature of the nose becomes changeable.
  • Under stress. Temporary dryness is observed in a healthy puppy that is brought into an unfamiliar home, but it quickly passes.

Warm and dry nose of a healthy dog ​​if he eats well, plays and nothing bothers her, it is considered the norm. Some dogs live with this their whole lives.

If the nose is not just warm and dry, but hot, then we can talk about trouble in the pet’s body.

When to see a doctor

Before you panic, you need to observe your pet for a while. If the nose is dry and warm, and the ears are cold, then this is normal and means there is no fever. There is no reason to worry.

You should be alarmed by the animal's unusual behavior and additional signs of poor health.

Additional symptoms

A dog's dry, cracked and hot nose, coupled with other signs, indicates a disease. You need to sound the alarm when additional symptoms appear:

  • drowsiness;
  • apathy;
  • lethargy;
  • lack of appetite;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • increased body temperature;
  • discharge from the nose and eyes (including clear);
  • cough and sneezing;
  • diarrhea.

These manifestations signal an illness or painful condition. These are different concepts. In the summer, when it is very hot, and the dog does not have water in his bowl, he becomes apathetic and lethargic, his nose will be hot and dry. It is enough to give your pet something to drink for its condition to change.

Discharge from the nasal passages and eyes can indicate either a cold or an allergic reaction, for example, to the plastic from which the food bowl is made, or to pollen. Diseases that cause dryness and fever include:

Any dog ​​illness is accompanied by dryness and increased temperature of the skin of the nose. It is important to notice the dangerous condition of your pet in time when urgent veterinary help is needed.

Poisoning

In some poisonings, the nose is not only hot, but also very cold. Body temperature drops sharply. An icy nose and cold ears may indicate chemical poisoning or a bite using venom if the following symptoms occur:

  • nausea;
  • vomit;
  • salivation;
  • weakness;
  • trembling of limbs;
  • drop in body temperature;
  • violation of the respiratory rhythm - the dog breathes often or breathing is heavy and too slow;
  • unusual odor from the mouth;
  • pupil dilation.

In this case, emergency veterinary care is required.

If you are poisoned by chemicals or poisons, you should not try to treat your dog at home or save it yourself. She could die within a few hours. Immediate medical attention is required.

Food poisoning is usually accompanied by fever and diarrhea.

How to help your pet

In case of any poisoning, you should immediately remove the bowl of food, leaving the water. If the dog refuses to drink on its own, you must forcefully inject it with 50-100 ml of water using a syringe or a medical bulb. A poisonous substance that enters the body orally will be diluted and cause less harm. No other solutions such as soda or potassium permanganate need to be used.

By pressing on the root of the tongue, you must try to induce vomiting, if you are sure that the poisoning is food, then do an enema and give activated charcoal - one tablet per 1 kg of weight.

If you suspect a chemical substance, you should not rinse your stomach. This can damage the mucous membrane and cause stomach bleeding. All necessary procedures must be performed by a doctor, who must be contacted immediately. If your pet's body temperature drops, you should warm it up.

Dangerous diseases

Deadly viral diseases include canine distemper (distemper) and rabies. The fulminant form of distemper, especially in unvaccinated puppies, has no symptoms other than an increase in temperature - a hot nose and ears. Therefore, you need to immediately show the young dog to the doctor.

Distemper manifests itself with a variety of symptoms similar to a cold, poisoning or allergies. If they occur, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Rabies poses a great danger to humans. In dogs it occurs in different forms and is accompanied by various symptoms. The causative agent of the disease is a virus to which the animal’s body reacts with an increase in temperature. You should pay attention to the following behavior of your pet:

  • the dog hides and does not respond to the call;
  • drooling appears;
  • difficulty swallowing;
  • The dog makes grasping movements with its mouth.

These symptoms appear in the first 3 days after the onset of the disease. It takes about 3 months from the moment of infection to the first signs of the disease. At the slightest suspicion of rabies, you should immediately consult a doctor so as not to expose your health to mortal danger.

There is no cure for rabies in dogs. The animal is quarantined to exclude contacts and monitored. Within 10 days the diagnosis is confirmed or excluded.

Pemphigus is a severe autoimmune disease. If papules and vesicles appear on your dog's nose, you should consult a doctor. The sooner support for the body is started, the fewer areas of skin will be affected by the disease.

Help

If rabies is suspected, the dog is isolated indoors, taking measures to protect against bites, and a doctor is called.

Symptoms of distemper can appear even in a vaccinated dog. He may refuse food and water, become lethargic and apathetic. Treatment, unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor, consists of forced watering and feeding during a hunger strike of more than 2 days.

Meals should be fractional - 5-6 times a day. To do this, use lean ground beef, pushing small balls closer to the root of the tongue so that the pet reflexively swallows them.