Greetings Folks,

I am a bit concerned because I noticed today that my 13 month old German Shepherd puppy's bottom right corner of his lip has become so dry it is white and cracked. He is an indoor dog.

I was wondering how best to treat this dry cracked lip?

Has anyone seen this kind of thing before? Thanks. If he was human I would just put chap stick on him, but I'm afraid that he would just lick it off and become sick from it.

My gsd lips used to get dried. It healed on it's way. Unless you see out of ordinary like redness, puss, it is okay.

He used to get dry lips during winter and when he was not drinking enough water. Mix lots of water in the food and give him fish oil. It may help.

Rashmi

When I was a groomer, I saw a few dogs that had some sort of a fungus on their lip, but I don't know what it looked like in the beginning stages. At the point I noticed, they were a bit smelly. They had to be treated medically. I bet Connie can offer some helpful suggestions.

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When I was a groomer, I saw a few dogs that had some sort of a fungus on their lip, but I don't know what it looked like in the beginning stages. At the point I noticed, they were a bit smelly. They had to be treated medically. ......

Do you have some Vitamin E capsules? I wouldn't hesitate to squeeze some pure E out of a capsule and apply that first; it's safe, IMO, and often helpful.

I have seen that fungus Sue mentions, too, in our training club, and the dog definitely had to be treated by the vet for the fungus.

I have a recent rescue, a senior, whose nose was very cracked and dry and pitted when he came..... just a mess. He was on bad food, and I figured the good new fresh food plus salmon oil would clear that up. Meanwhile, though, it just looked so sore and dry.......

A trainer at our club who has a couple of Bostons told me about Aquaphor ointment. I started applying that and was pretty surprised at how fast it started to work. (Now it's 100% cleared up.)

I know the lip is much harder to keep it on, but I think it might be worth a shot. I'd give the vet a call first and double-check, since I'm sure a lot will be licked off.

I'd also be sure he was getting enough salmon oil and Vitamin E in his diet, since they are so beneficial with all kinds of skin issues.

If it's just dryness, Rashmi is 100% right about water intake helping with dry skin. You could add extra to the food dish.

P.S. I would give the vet a call, though. Sometimes just a call results in good suggestions and also things to watch for. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Not wanting to hijack the post, and no probs with dryness in my GSD, but since Vit E is always mentioned, am wondering just how much Vit E to give a pup about 32 lbs? Am currently giving 200 IU a day with 1 pump of salmon oil. Not sure if it's enough? Connie?

Yes, that's a good amount, IMO. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />



Back to dry lips on pup...........

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Yes, that's a good amount, IMO. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />



Back to dry lips on pup...........

Thanks!

Thanks for the help I really am glad I have this forum to come to for advice as this is my first puppy.

I'll up his vitamin E and really push the water. I already have a humidifier going for him and so far his lip seems to be a little better. I'm going to give him a week with the vitamin E and if it doesn't get any better or should become worse I'll take him in for the vet appointment. Just hate to spend $50.00 on a vet trip on something that can be taken care of at home.