Pink Nose

[corgimom]

deleted..........

[tandemgal]

Linda,

I think a pink nose is a recessive gene.

[corgimom]

You mean when the entire part ,which should be black is pink? But why would
it have turned black later on?

Linda

[Michael Romanos]

Linda of Corgimom - very interesting subject you have broached.
Black nose pigmentation in Corgis can be affected through climatic conditions ie during winter months their usually black noses can turn a little pink to considerably pink.
Some Corgis can be allergic to plastic food/water dishes and the result is pink spots and pink areas on their noses. The cure for this is to only use metal or crockery dishes.
There is a fungal infection called "snow nose" and this will alter the colour of a Corgis nose from black to pink or white-ish areas. If the fungal infection is treated, the nose can return to black.
Nutrition is important for a healthy nose with proper pigmentation. Vitamin E is particularly important and with Vitamin E one can also purchase tablets and break some down into a powdery form and rub (massage) the powder onto the Corgis nose which could help to restore a nose back to black.
Some Corgis have permanent pink spots or small areas of pink on their noses and for conformation showing purposes, these areas or spots are blackened as part of pre-show grooming.

[corgimom]

Interesting Michael,

I know that we were not given anything specific to use on her nose, but we
had to carefully watch her to avoid the sun because it would burn so easily
and then peel and bleed. I had to take a double look when I looked back to a picture of her from her early days with us because I just could not remember her entire nose being all pink - but it was - I am thinking that the better nutrition that we gave her must have helped her eventually turn her nose black - just strange to me - I have never seen that before in a dog.

Linda

[Michael Romanos]

I think the type of dish or bowl one uses to give their Corgi food or liquid is important. It pays not to use plastic - and I'm sure with most owners that is what they have got: various forms of plastic bowls.

[glencorgi]

Pink noses:

One experience I have had with them is with my own Oberon. He developed an allergy to plastic (from his crate - I now use a wire crate for him). This allergy can occur even if they eat from plastic bowls. His pigment has never filled back in completely. So one reason can be allergic to plastic.

Another cause can be an immune mediated skin disorder called Pemphigus Foliaceus. Some of the symptoms are pinking of the lips, nose and crusting, like pimples on the nose.

Discoid lupus is another cause, one that can be treated, but not cured; more of an annoyance rather than adversely effecting the dog's health.

"Collie nose," so called because it is more prevalent in Collie-type dogs. It can appear as a "sunburned" spot on the nose along with other symptoms.

In the winter something called "snow nose" can occur, a loss of pigment. Sometimes even it can occur as a side effect of medication.

There can be a lot of reasons and in some cases may not ever discover the reason why. Proper nutrition, as sometimes vitamin deficiencies can contribute to other problems. Kelp and sunlight can help pigment darken.

Don't know if any of these may have been the cause, but maybe it'll help put some of the puzzle pieces together.

Debbie

[corgimom]

Deb,

thanks for the info - I have never heard of most of those things you described.

Linda

[darci]

Now rethinking our plastics dog bowls.........

[corgimom]

Cindy

Same here in regards to the plastic bowls. I didn't realize that dogs can have problems with them. Cats can get something called "feline Acne" from eating out of plastic bowls. The bottom of their chin can get covered with little blackheads - it's gross - you have to shave their chin and apply acne medication just like a teen and get rid of the plastic bowls - my one cat had this once.

Linda

[KatC]

Yes, my Tabby Cat had very bad acne from the plastic bowls. The Vet said that certain plastics can leach chemicals (like some of those takeaway containers that are not to be used in the microwave). The Vet said that Cats are more prone to this, because they tend to rub their faces on the dish. He advised to only use metal or crockery dishes for any cat or dog.

[Fluffypants]

WOW - I bought crockery bowls just because they were heavier (read: less likely to be flipped over!) . . . now I'm glad I have them!