I have noticed tonight my wee dog is losing quite a bit of pigment in his nose. How I didn't see it before now I am not sure. I also think his eye rims are looking paler. Not as pale as the nose but compared to a photo I have they do look slightly pale. I have read up on some of the causes and I would be happy enough with the idiopathic version. However he has been having other things going on as well and I am not sure about getting tests done. He is terrified of the vet so will not put him through that out of curiosity. (he was extremely sick as a puppy with parvo and then went on to have bloat and an operation for a luxated patella, so needless to say his experiences have not been good).

Other things recently: he had suspected cystitis, weeing blood maybe 4-5 times took sample to the vet...blood no crystals..noroclav or 5 days.
He is getting a strange noise when he eats....sort of a snuffling stuffy nose sound lasting about 20-30 minutes after he eats. Been doing that for about 2 months. Thought it was kennel cough for a while but he hadn't been coughing.  Did a bit of reverse sneezing tonight as well...When he is at work he is alert and wants to rough  play with the other dogs....but he seems more tired. He has always been the kind of dog who wants to be in the middle of things unless he is seriously sick...but he gets home and sleeps only getting up when I make him go out to wee or to come to bed. Normally I can make a move round the house with out him by my side. It could be something or it could just be he is genuinely tired after a day at work...It is one of those things I can't help but know my dog and there is something not quite right. Can't put my finger on it and would probably get sent away from the vets .....but I KNOW my wee man...he is always at my side....in my bed at my work....next to me watching a movie...sharing my dinner.
You all know what I mean. So I keeping an eye on him and may take him in even for bloods just to see...he has been the unluckiest wee thing on four legs....and I think having the parvo has made him lean towards the frail side health wise....but he is a tough cookie at the same time.

Not really looking for advice really just expressing my concerns....but if anyone knows of anything I can ask the vets about...please let me know..
cheers

I use Kelp (seaweed powder) in my dogs food just a little bit, that helps with the pigmentation.  All mine have nice black noses etc.

What breed is your dog, sounds like the poor wee thing has not had a very good start especially with parvo glad you managed to get that cleared up as it can be fatal.

Some one else will be along soon to give you some more advice as you are asking about things that I have never experienced , so cant really answer the rest of your questions.

Good luck with the puppy anyway.

My wee dog is a cross...JR/Collie/Corgi his picture is in my profile. He is three years old and has something wrong with him quite often. He is a nervous type  but his mother was that way too....and with being ill quite often strangers had to poke and prod him so it is understandable.

I'd second the suggestion of using Kelp. I also feed  bit of liver now and again which I've been told works. Some dogs do get what is known as 'snow nose' and others can take a reaction to eating from plastic bowls.

See here: http://www.canismajor.com/dog/nose.html
also: http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/grooming/snownose.htm

Regarding his strange noises after eating and the reverse sneezing. Does he tend to eat fast? If so it may be worth feeding him from a much wider bowl or plate, then he has to work a bit more at his dinner and can't just snaffle up a pile of it.

Good Luck

Oh he's a cutie!!

Thanks for the replies...

He eats from a stainless steel bowl and he is not a greedy feeder. He takes his time when eating.
I guess I don't need to be too concerned at the moment. But I will keep an eye on him....he will look strange without his coal black nose...:-)
His brother is a red/white and he also had a sister who was red/white....they both have light noses....maybe it's rubbing off...:-) :-)

Cheers