All Dog Breeds: Dogs Nose Dry

Dogs Nose Dry
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admin on 14 August, 2009 06:40:00
 
Your dog's nose is a treasure. It can smell things with an intensity you could
never imagine.  Its nose is a miracle of olfactory receptor cells supported and
heightened by miniscule hairs called cilia. A final coating of mucous makes them
capable of trapping every scent imaginable and some not.
There is little contest between a human's and a dog's nose. People only have 5
million olfactory receptor cells. Dogs have anywhere between 100 million and 220
million. Is it any wonder your dog is off the bed and dashing into the kitchen
no matter how quietly you open the refrigerator door?
Your dog is a creature of its scents. It can break down into separate
ingredients every odor. The larger the dog and the bigger his or her muzzle, the
better is its ability to smell. A Daschund has 125 million receptor cells; a
bloodhound has 300 million. This is one reason why bloodhounds are effective
tractors. Their ability to track down escaped prisoners and wrong doers is
legendary and justly so. In fact, in some States in the United States of
America, the evidence located by trained Bloodhounds is admissible as evidence
in a court of law.
Dogs and their noses have served people well. They have acted as sniffer dogs
during several wars. Many lost their lives sniffing out bombs in such places as
Vietnam. Police and Search Dogs, sniff out bombs and dangerous or illicit
substances. After avalanches, earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorist attacks,
search and rescue dogs are on the job helping to locate buried and distressed
people. They could not do this without the help of their wonderful noses.
There are several myths about dogs and their noses. The most common is the
relationship between a dog's cold nose and good health. The temperature of a
healthy dog does vary. If the nose is warm, cold or somewhere in between, it can
say other things. "I have just sniffed a warm butt and my nose is warm." I have
been playing in cold water. Yeah!!!"
You need to make sure the nose is healthy. Check it once a week for discharge.
Make sure there are no crusty deposits. If there is discharge, is it clear or
pus-like in its characteristics? There should be no bleeding, unless the dog has
just gotten on the wrong side of a cat. Accidents do happen.
If there is any indication of serious trouble be prepared. The dog, for example,
keeps sneezing repeatedly and constantly. Pack him up and remove to the Vet's.
If your dog has a runny nose coupled with a cough, this could indicate a
respiratory infection. Other problem signs include a flaking and encrusted nose.
If the nose changes color, losing its pigmentation or if it becomes a home to
various scabs and sores, you will need to take a trip to your Vet. One other
possible problem is sunburn. Some dogs have more sensitive noses than others do.
To prevent it from spoiling your dog's romp in the summer sun, see your vet
about a remedy.
Information provided by Sarah Flarity of www.ohmydogsupplies.com, search for new
discounts on dog grooming tools online.