Discussion on Cold Nose
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| Author |
Message |
    
Dennis Taylor
Member
Username: dtranch
Post Number: 556
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007 - 11:09 am: |   |
I have a rescue QH around 6 years old that we are working with. I notice that inside his nose seems colder than normal. Actually, outside of nose around nostrils seems a little cold as well.
He is a rescue, so weight is off, etc. I would say maybe a 2 to 3 body score. I have finally gotten a couple of negative fecis so worming should be under control. Just curious if the cold nose is an indication of something, or something to worry about.
DT |
Erika L
Member
Username: erika
Post Number: 1035
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Oct 31, 2007 - 6:35 pm: | |
It means he's really a dog, cowboy. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 19455
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Nov 1, 2007 - 6:57 am: | |
Hello Dennis,
One key way mammals thermoregulate in a short time frame is through controlling their skin temperature by increasing and decreasing the diameter of the vessels that run just below the skin. For example to prerserve core body heat the skin vessel's diameter lessens so that less heat is delivered to the skin surface and therefore less radiated off. You will feel this event as a decrease in skin temperature.
If he is off weight, the decrease in fat layer will result is a harder time thermoregulating in a cool environment and therefore result in an average increase in peripheral vasoconstriction and therefore a cooler nose.
DrO |
Dennis Taylor
Member
Username: dtranch
Post Number: 557
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Nov 1, 2007 - 7:25 am: | |
Oh my God Erika .. that's it. That also explains why he keeps humping my leg. Guess another career change is in order .. is there a Dog Whisperer yet?
DT |
Dennis Taylor
Member
Username: dtranch
Post Number: 558
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Nov 1, 2007 - 7:29 am: | |
Thanks Dr. O
My vet was out last night on some other issues, and explained it in the exact same way. Thanks for providing this avenue for expanding our horse knowledge on a daily basis.
DT |
