Also known as “collie nose”, discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is an inflammatory skin disease seen in dogs. Canine Discoid Lupus is an auto-immune disease primarily involving the face and nose. DLE can be as simple as some discoloration and as serious as ulcerations. The condition has no cure but there are several treatments. The first sign of DLE is usually a loss of pigmentation around the dog’s nose. In some cases, the bridge of the nose, lips, skin around the eyes, ears and genitals may also be affected.
Breeds most affected
DLE is most often seen in Brittanys (that’s me), Collies, Shetland sheepdogs, German shepherds, German shorthaired pointers, and Siberian huskies. Females are at slightly more risk than are males. Although, DLE can be found in any breed. Dogs with DLE are often predisposed to squamous cell carcinoma.
Traditional Treatments
Exposure to direct sunlight exacerbates DLE. In some less severe cases, the only treatment needed is to keep the dog out of direct sunlight. Sunscreens without zinc oxide can help if the dog is going to be exposed to sunlight. Of course, we dogs can’t help but to lick the sunscreen off ourselves. Our brothers and sisters will help lick it off as well.
Please, only use sunscreen made for dogs, because the sunscreens made for people can contain ingredients (such as zinc oxide) that are poisonous to us if ingested. I use Burt’s Bees Lifeguard’s Choice. I researched it on the web and the ingredient’s are safe. I only use it when hiking.
Topical corticosteroids are frequently used on the affected site. Severe cases of DLE may require the use of oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, or immunosuppressive medications such as azathioprine. Oral vitamin E and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can help, but several months of treatment are needed with those supplements before any effect can be seen.
My Treatment for DLE
My human mom has used two treatments on me with great success. The first is a topical treatment with Emu Oil. We live near the Wild Rose Emu Ranch in Hamilton, Montana. We are friends with Clover Quinn, the owner of Wild Rose Emu Ranch, so we have a ready supply of fresh emu oil. The emu oil is not toxic if ingested and cleared up my DLE in a couple of days, unlike the months it can take to see results from vitamin E, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The only problem is my little sister, Star, keeps licking my face when my mom applies the emu oil.
If you can’t find emu oil, coconut oil is as effective, if not more effective. I use only non-hydrogenated, organic, expeller pressed coconut oil. As with emu oil, coconut oil is safe to ingest, so I can’t get rid of my annoying little sister that way. There is evidence coconut oil is antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial. All the evidence I need is it cleared up my DLE in a couple of days. Both coconut oil and emu oil are available in a chap stick form with sunscreen, that is safe to ingest. So, I can go hiking with the pack and not have to worry about exacerbating my condition.
So, if you have canine discoid lupus, tell your human parents to try treating the condition with emu oil or coconut oil. They are natural products that are safe to use and they are highly effective. Also, tell them to feed you a high quality food. We all eat Solid Gold “Wolf King”, which is all natural and contains no by products and zero corn (I’m allergic, like most dogs, to corn). My mom bakes all our treats which you can purchase under our products tab. She also bakes us meatloafs made from wild game meat. Boy they are tasty!!! If you would like the meatloaf recipe, contact us, my mom will give it to you. Nothing beats disease conditions like a healthy diet.
Here’s to your health!
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