Collie Nose (Discoid Lupus Erythematosus DLE)

[Katie32]

This summer my 8 year old Collie Rough has developed DLE on his nose and eyes. The vet has given him amacyin eye cream and advantan ointment for his nose as a starting point. If this doesn’t work she said we will then move onto doxycycline and Niacinamide. She would like to try and avoid oral steroids because of the side effects. She also said to keep him out of the sun and use a dog zinc sunscreen.

We now walk him at first light, keep him indoors and we were using Filtabac cream as a sunscreen. I’ve had to stop using the Filtabac as it was drying out his nose. As he stays inside I think it is probably OK not to use a sunscreen.  However, it has become a frustrating condition the Advantan hasn’t improved it. I’m now trying Advantan Fatty ointment as this is more moisturising and a little stronger. I’ve also bought Doggie Goggles to protect his eyes but how can I protect his nose??

 

Presently, I’m trying to avoid oral treatments because he has an extremely sensitive stomach and sits on the edge of developing IBD.

 

His nose is also very itchy and when he does go out he rubs it on the concrete (of all things) making it bleed. I don’t know how to help the itchyness.

 

Can anyone help with suggestions or share their experience with this condition?

Edited March 12, 2021 by Katie32
Wanted to add symptom of itchyness which is important

[Rebanne]

The doxy and niacinamide are used by owners with SLO dogs which is also an auto immune disease. Most have a good reaction, the odd one can't tolerate them. Filtabac is very drying.

 

Me, I'd be trying a course of cortisone. It is a very good drug if tolerated. It might be enough to enable you to get on top of things and let the other stuff do it's job more effectively.

[Dogsfevr]

I tend to agree I would be trying the steroids to just get on top off it and go from there .

They can do a low dose .

 

[Papillon Kisses]

For sunscreen, you could try Equine Puff UV powder. I got ours from Guardian Horse Products. Our sunseeking chi terrier mix dislikes creams and had a strange burning type reaction to filtabac - vet had to shave it off his ears as it stuck on like glue. Anyway, he much prefers the equine puff powder and I actually think it does a better job of protecting him than creams ever did.

[Katie32]

How does the Equine Puff powder adhere to the nose?  It sounds like it might be a good alternative to zinc creams which just don’t work for him. 

 

You might all be right a course of steroids may allow us to get on top of it. His stomach is extremely sensitive though he doesn’t even tolerate fresh meat it has to be cooked for him. Does anybody know about the side effects the steroids on a sensitive stomach?

 

Does the condition improve with the onset of  winter?

 

Thanks for all your help, I feel so lost with this condition. Everything I’ve read about it is depressing. I get the impression that once they have it it is forever!

 

 

[Papillon Kisses]

I wasn’t sure if you meant nostrils or snout but here’s a photo showing how it adheres to both.

[Katie32]

53 minutes ago, Papillon Kisses said:

I wasn’t sure if you meant nostrils or snout but here’s a photo showing how it adheres to both.

That’s great, thank you. So I just sprinkle it on and it will adhere to his snout. That might be just the ticket for him.

[Papillon Kisses]

It comes with a foam pad that you press into the powder. You can also buy brushes if you want. It’s kind of like applying foundation.

[Odin-Genie]

Our Elkhound was diagnosed with DLE 10 years ago. He was put on Macrolone (oral steroid) and has been on it since then. We initially gave him a higher dose to control the inflammation and put vitamin E oil topically. He also has a sensitive stomach but has been fine for the last 10 years.

[Stitch]

There is a dog grooming product which stains the nose black.  It is primarily used for cosmetic purposes but I used it very successfully on a dog with DLE after specialist vets advice wasn't really working.  My theory was that it wasn't going to do any harm and that it might just give more permanent protection than was available.  Yes it is off label but it is formulated for use on dogs noses and as you have found nothing much stays on dogs noses before they lick it off.  I made up a cardboard slide that would stop the tongue licking the nose until the product dried.  It worked very well.

[WoofnHoof]

My boy has had this for some years. Initially when I asked the vet in Qld they didn't know. When I moved to NSW I got it looked at again and we got a diagnosis. He went on steroids initially then moved to an immune suppressant drug (imuran) and he has been on it for about 2-3 years now and it has helped a lot. His nose is a bit damaged from being untreated. Put him on the immune suppressant as he was starting to get severe gum inflammation as well, and he has improved out of sight. Nose and gums improved and nails are not as brittle. Doesn't seem to have had much in the way of side effects. Not sure about long term effects but my boy is quite old so it's negligible.