Nasal philtrum arteritis in dogs

This is a rare but very striking condition.  First described in 2002:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12358612

Dermal arteritis of the nasal philtrum in a Giant Schnauzer and three Saint Bernard dogs.

And subsequently reported in a handful of further dogs.  St Bernards and GSDs appear particularly over-represented amongst affected dogs.

http://fvarc.com/pdf/FVARC_Newsltr_Winter2013.pdf

Our case, Selous, we first saw about 18 months ago.  He suffered severe bleeds from an ulcerated lesion on the nasal planum above the right nostril.

The lesion in Selous’ planum nasale: this is 18 months after the original surgical resection

Histopathology is required for a diagnosis.  Happily, surgical excision of the lesions is also a treatment option:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19200266

Dermal arteritis of the nasal philtrum: surgery as an alternative to long-term medical therapy in two dogs.

Very recently this has been written up in Vet Dermatology:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28990239

Tacrolimus therapy for dermal arteritis of the nasal philtrum refractory to surgery and anti-inflammatory therapy (doxycycline/niacinamide and topical fluocinolone) in a dog.