The nasal philtrum is the groove that runs down the middle of a dog’s nose to the upper lip. Arteritis of the nasal philtrum is a disease of the blood vessels in this groove. Researchers describe it as a skin condition that picks out the large arteries of the philtrum, and they note that not much has been written about it [1]. Because those arteries can bleed hard, a sore here can turn into an emergency [1][2].
If your dog is bleeding from the groove under its nose, take it to a vet now.
Signs
The main sign is a sore in the groove that may bleed. In a report on four dogs, each dog had one sore shaped like a line, with clear edges. The sores did not seem to itch or hurt [2]. Three of those dogs had small bleeds from the sore again and again, and two had one bad bleed that needed surgery to stop [2].
In a study of 23 dogs, eight had episodes of heavy bleeding from an artery in the sore, nine had minor bleeding and six had no bleeding at all [1]. So a sore in this groove can need a vet even when it is not bleeding.
In the four dogs, the sore had often been there for months or years before anyone looked into it [2]. A sore that does not heal is worth a vet visit.
Which dogs get it
The disease has mostly been reported in large-breed dogs [3]. The four dogs in one report were a Giant Schnauzer and three Saint Bernards, and two of the Saint Bernards came from the same family [2]. In the larger study, 19 of the dogs were pure-bred, spread across 11 breeds, and the other four were mixes. On average, the problem started at about 5 years of age [1].
German Shepherd Dogs can get a similar problem in a different place: deep cracks on the outer sides of the nose that bleed. Under the microscope, the changes in the vessels look much like those of philtrum arteritis [3].
What is known about it
When vets looked at tissue from affected dogs, the walls of the small arteries under the sore were thickened, which narrowed the vessels [2][3]. Why this happens is not known.
How vets diagnose it
The sore looks typical enough that vets can often make the diagnosis from its look and where it sits [1]. A biopsy can confirm it [1][2]. A biopsy means taking a small piece of skin to look at under a microscope. For how vets do this, see how vets diagnose skin problems in dogs and cats.
For other diseases that change the nose, see dry, crusty nose in dogs.
Treatment
Your vet will advise on treatment for your dog. In the published reports, most dogs needed long-term care to keep the sore under control [1][2].
At home, as directed by a vet:
- do not pick at or rub the sore;
- do not put human or leftover products on your dog’s nose unless your vet says so;
- go back for every recheck your vet books.
When to see your vet
Go to a vet now if your dog has:
- bleeding from the groove under its nose [1][2].
See your vet if your dog has:
- a sore (ulcer) in the groove under its nose, even if it is not bleeding [1].
The bottom line
Arteritis of the nasal philtrum is a disease of the arteries in the groove under a dog’s nose. The sore can bleed heavily, so treat bleeding there as an emergency. Only a vet can find out what is causing a sore or bleeding there.
This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from your veterinarian. If your dog is bleeding from its nose, go to a vet now.
Sources
- Souza CP, Torres SMF, Koch SN, Bernardi de Souza L. Dermal arteritis of the nasal philtrum: a retrospective study of 23 dogs. Vet Dermatol. 2019;30(6):511-e155. PMID 31486556. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31486556/
- Torres SM, O’Brien T, Scott DW. Dermal arteritis of the nasal philtrum in a Giant Schnauzer and three Saint Bernard dogs. Vet Dermatol. 2002;13(5):275-81. PMID 12358612. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12358612/
- Fleischman DA, Mauldin EA, Lowe A, Cain CL, Bradley CW. Clinical and histopathological features of rostrolateral nasal alar arteriopathy of German shepherd dogs. Vet Dermatol. 2023;34(5):441-451. PMID 37221296. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37221296/