Why is my nose cracking?

My dog's nose is really dry, crusty, cracking, and sometimes bleeds a little.?

• Hi. My dog's nose is really dry, crusty, cracking, and sometimes even bleeds a little. It has been like this for about a year and at first we went to the vet and they gave us a nose ointment for him. After using it for a while, we didn't see any change so we went back to the vet and they told us that they had to take a sample of his nose and test it. However, that process of just testing it was going to cost a lot, so my parents didn't want to do it. I hoped it was going to get better but it hasn't and I'm worried that he might be really sick or ill. I really don't know what to do since I can't really pay for his test at the vet. I have tried the dog nose ointment from the vet, neosporin, vaseline, and someone told me to try olive oil? so I did. My dog is a miniature pinscher and chihuahua mix. He is 4 years old and a male. I have had him for 2 years and we got him from the shelter. Please give me some advice or ideas on what I could do.

• Answer:

  Since this has been happening so long I doubt that it is life threatening. I have seen a lot of benefits from using coconut oil. It sounds weird but the dog may have gotten a sun burn or a chapped nose and then got so used to licking his nose that it became a behavioral tic that is keeping it up. Try the coconut oil and keeping him from licking his face too much. Hope this helps!