So we're looking for responses to http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=34256&page=1#392073

and http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=34256&page=1#392074

and http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=34256&page=1#392076

And, in fact, an oral problem (CJ's post) is also possible. Let's add"when was his last dental" to the list.

Connie,

I'm going to check with vet about the possibility of a bad tooth. He had his teeth cleaned about 2 weeks ago but they could have missed something. One thing I never thought of. It is just strange that the side of his nose is the only place that he always wants to rub. I'm thinking it is not allergies anymore.. Has to be something else.

Yes, with a recent dental that probably dropped right off my list.

" I'm thinking it is not allergies anymore.. Has to be something else."

Certain allergies and certain tiny external parasites present with exactly the muzzle-rubbing behavior you describe.

There is often (but NOT ALWAYS) manifestation elsewhere, too.



Were scrapings done (I assume so, before any biopsy) ...... what was the result?

How do the ears look inside (with a flashlight)?

Is there any paw-licking?

When the teeth are cleaned the dog is asleep and a tube is in the windpipe. The tube is tied with gauze to the muzzle, and the tie is often pretty tight, tight enough to wrinkle skin. The dog usually lays on one side, is then flipped to the other. Then the dog is placed in a cage for recovery, also on its side. Perhaps some local irritation developed from the cage cleaner, the dental solutions, etc.

Did you think about your dog's bowl? This is a common source of contact allergy on the snout.

Back to the bowl-- you could consider feeding your dog in a pie pan for a bit and see if that helps. For some dogs, the drooly-goop that forms around the inside of a steel pan is enough to trigger skin reaction.

I can speak from personal experience on the bowl question. Five or six years ago, one of my dogs was consistently getting pimple type rashes on his chin. At that time, he was eating out of the same type of heavy plastic dog dishes that I had used for many years prior to that time.

I had read and heard about those plastic dishes being an issue for some dogs, and I was skeptical but figured it couldn't hurt to try changing it. I didn't want stainless steel, only because I dislike the noise they make, so I decided to look for nice ceramic or stoneware type bowls. Everything I saw made for dogs had dog bone or paw print designs that I didn't want, so the bowls I ended up getting are the CorningWare French White. The 1 1/2 quart size is perfect for food, and the 2 1/2 quart for water (large breeds).

The chin pimples went away and have not been seen since, so I'm a convert. No plastic bowls! The symptoms you describe in your dog are different, but they could manifest differently in different dogs. You don't have anything to lose by trying!

Also, I would want to make doubly sure that his muzzle is clean and dry after every meal, and if he happens to be a messy drinker, gently dry his muzzle after he drinks water.

The clue I focus on in the original post is the fact that the symptom "cleared up" then came back a year later. This could be a description of a seasonal allergy. Many inhaled pollen/mold type allergies are seasonal. The dog only has symptoms when that particular tree or weed is sending out pollen spores.

Or it could be a dozen other things. But face-rubbing sure sounds like an itch. A history of allergies makes another allergy likely.

How was the original allergy problem resolved?

Lots of good posts. We use SS bowls and wash them out every time. I wipe his mouth off after he eats. I wipe him down every evening with wipes and vinagar.
His ears and skin are great.
This has been going off and on for about 3 years or so. The first time it cleared up we had taken him to a derm vet for shots for a year and then I switched to a Natural Health care vet. She gave us lots of herb combos and things were good for about a year.
So I think I"m convinced to go back to the Derm vet. I just never knew an allergy to just be in one spot like this.
I'll let you all know what she says. Thanks for all the idea