Pigment loss due to infection and/or allergic reaction

Question

Before with normal fac  

Now   Hi there,

Thank you for offering this great service. Here is our issue...

Tyson is our 2 year old boxer and about 3 months ago he started to show signs of an allergic reaction to some lamb bones he ate. We brought him to the vet and they gave us antibiotics and anti hystamines to help the rawness on his face and behind his ears. We believe the anti hystamines caused his nose to turn white and that worries us. He received two weeks worth of antibiotics and anti hystamines with no relief to him or his skin. We then had a swab taken and they came back positive for staphelcoccous and two forms of pseudomonas. Then we had to wait for an antibiotic that could possibly get rid of all three bacteria and after two weeks of that still no change. I believe the name of the antibiotic was Baydril? We started doing our own research as the vet is out of any other ideas besides this very expensive antibiotic and we are now trying to get his immune system back to normal so his body can fight the infection because we read that after providing him with too many of the same antibiotics, the bacteria become resistant to it. He is also on antiflammatory medication from the vet to help with the redness and rawness.

We had him on hypoallergenic dog food from the vet but we have recently switched his food to a grain free chicken based food by nutrisource. His body responded really well to the new food but it has not made a difference to his skin problems. We just bought an oatmeal based shampoo and gave him a bath with that last night. No changes yet. Right now he has no pigment behind his ears and his genital area, his nose is white, he has a rash by his genital area, red raw paws, and his mouth/face is red and swollen.

I attached a picture of his face. Any information you may have would be greatly appreciated as we no longer know what else to do. Sorry for the long email but i feel you needed to know as much as possible.

Sincerely,

Carolann (and Tyson)

Answer
Here's what I've found:

Nasal depigmentation (Dudley nose):   
Previous black nose turns chocolate brown to light pink; more common in Yellow Labs, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, and Dobermans; not associated with a disease process.
Progressive fading of color of nose with no other signs such as crusting or ulceration.
Vet: Physical exam.
Treatment: None

Pemphigus foliaceus:
The most common form of pemphigus in the dog; an autoimmune disease; some breeds are at increased risk.
Often affects feet and head; starts with pustules and progresses to severe crusting; depigmentation of the nose is common; itching may occur; if footpads and nails affected often see lameness; symptoms wax and wane; severely affected animals may have fever and loss of appetite.
Vet: History, physical exam, skin scraping, and biopsy.
Treatment: Corticosteroids, other immunosuppressive therapy, gold injections.

Uveodermatologic syndrome:
Hypersensitivity to melanin (the dark pigment) in the skin and eyes.
Pigment loss on nose, lips, and eyelids; occasionally footpads, scrotum, and anus can be affected; rarely see ulcers or drainage; uveitis (inflammation of the eye) may occur   .
Vet: History, clinical signs, biopsy.
Treatment: Long-term prednisone, azathiprine; appropriate eye medications.

Vitiligo (Decreased Pigment):
Can be hereditary or caused by an autoimmune reaction.
Loss of pigment, which may be temporary or permanent; usually on nose, lips, and face.
Vet: Clinical signs, skin biopsy.
Treatment: None

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2111&aid=425

I hope this helps you figure out the possibilities and tell your vet or get a new vet to present this with.

Good luck and let me know with a follow-up, please.