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Veterinary Medicine
Instructions for Veterinary Clients

Nasodigital Hyperkeratosis
From Duclos: Canine and Feline Skin Diseases

General Information

Nasodigital hyperkeratosis is characterized by hard, dry, and often cracked tissue on the nose or footpads. The appearance of the growths varies from regular to irregular projections of firm, feathered, and cracked horny tissue. The affected surface is dry and subject to painful and uncomfortable fissures and cracks. In many cases, just the edges of the nose or footpads are affected. In some dogs, however, the entire nose or footpad area can be affected.

Important Points in Treatment

  1. Diagnosis is made by history and physical findings.
  2. Other diseases can affect these areas in a similar manner and must be excluded by examination and laboratory tests.
  3. Treatment varies with the severity of the disease and is directed at softening the dry affected tissues and occasionally trimming the excessive growth.
  4. In most cases, once the growth is softened and trimmed to normal, ongoing treatment is either continual (one to two times per week) or occasional as the growths recur.
  5. Once it develops, nasodigital hyperkeratosis is a lifelong condition that needs some form of maintenance therapy.

Treatment Instructions

Notify the Doctor if Any of the Following Occur

  • Your dog develops similar lesions in other parts of the body.
  • Your dog becomes lame, or the affected areas are painful.
  • Growths do not respond to treatment.

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