This Is Why Your Dog Has Such a Runny Nose

Like people who start sniffling when allergy season arrives, healthy dogs occasionally have runny noses. However, if your dog consistently has a runny nose or the discharge from their nose seems out of the ordinary, this could cause worry. So why is your dog’s nose running? There are many different possible causes. 

A runny nose in a dog could be an indication of seasonal allergies or something more serious. Whatever the situation, it’s critical to get your dog some comfort from their runny nose by getting them treated. This article examines canine runny noses in detail. We discuss potential reasons for a dog’s runny nose, describe the diagnostic procedure, and discuss suggested remedies. Read this post to learn everything about treating dogs with runny noses.

What Causes a Runny Nose?

A dog’s runny nose could have a variety of causes. There are numerous benign reasons for a dog’s runny nose, but there are also some more significant ones. It’s crucial to seek a vet appointment as soon as you start to detect other symptoms with a runny nose because a dog’s runny nose may indicate an infection. 

Finding relief ultimately depends on figuring out what is causing your dog’s runny nose in the first place. Your veterinarian can develop an extensive treatment plan that tackles the underlying cause of the problem once a cause has been determined. Dogs’ most frequent reasons for runny noses are described below. Some of these health problems are more challenging, even though many of these ailments are reasonably treatable. 

It Could Just Be Allergies

Allergies may be at blame for your dog’s runny nose. Dogs can have allergies to certain foods, mites, or environmental allergens (such as pollen or dander). A runny nose and clear nasal discharge in your dog may indicate environmental allergies. 

Most of the time, allergies are relatively mild and easily treated. The first step is to eliminate the symptoms by removing the offending allergen from the dog’s surroundings. Understanding the symptoms of allergies is a prerequisite to treating them. Other canine allergy signs include sneezing, itching, or excessive licking.

Temperatures Can Cause a Runny Sniffer

Dogs can’t regulate body temperature as humans can. Dogs only perspire from their noses sometimes and on the pads of their feet as opposed to the rest of their bodies. So, a dog’s runny nose can indicate that their body is attempting to cool off. 

A dog with a runny nose brought on by heat will normally expel thin, clear nasal discharge. Moving your dog to a cooler area will probably be the simplest solution to relieve their runny nose if they are having trouble controlling their body temperature.

Your Pup Could Be Sick

Various infections can bring on runny noses in dogs. Therefore, if your dog’s nasal discharge is thicker or has a green or yellow tint, this may indicate that a viral, bacterial, or fungal illness is to blame for your dog’s runny nose. Infections can also cause other symptoms like nose bleeds or coughing. 

Kennel cough is an example of a sickness that causes a runny nose and cough. Vets often identify CIRDC after a dog’s owner sees sudden coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge. CIRDC is transmitted by direct touch. These signs frequently appear after several animals have congregated in a single area, such as a pet daycare.

Your Pup Might Have Mites in Their Nose

Dogs’ sinuses and nasal passageways are home to parasitic canine nasal mites. Runny noses in dogs may result from the irritation they cause to the nasal passages. No matter the age of the dog, these mites can harm them. In addition to nasal discharge, nosebleeds, sneezing, decreased smell, irritation around the face, laborious or noisy breathing, and shaking their heads are some signs of nasal mites. 

A veterinarian would often use an endoscope to check your dog’s nasal canal and determine a diagnosis, or they may use nasal irrigation equipment to remove the fluid. If your veterinarian determines that nasal mites are to blame, they may recommend antiparasitic medicine to treat the condition.

Fungus Among Us but in Your Dog’s Nose

Your dog may develop nasal infections from a specific fungus, resulting in a runny nose and other health problems. Fungal infections, particularly nasal aspergillosis, afflict numerous domestic and wild animals. Numerous Aspergillus species have been linked to animal respiratory diseases. In dogs, the illness is typically contained to the sinuses or nasal cavity, but in rare instances, it can extend to the skull and eyes. 

Nasal bleeding, drowsiness, soreness around the nose, sneezing, and ulcers around the dog’s nostrils are typical symptoms. A veterinarian may use an endoscope to check your dog’s nose to make a diagnosis or request x-rays or other lab testing. Antifungal medications can be taken orally or nasally and are frequently used to treat nasal aspergillosis.

They Sniff a Lot of Stuff

As you are probably aware, dogs are curious animals, and they use their noses to satisfy their curiosity. Dogs have super-nose powers because of their astounding sense of smell and frequently use it to explore their surroundings. They’ll sniff just about anything to gain additional knowledge about commonplace items and better understand their physical surroundings. 

Although a dog’s sense of smell is a tremendous tool, it can occasionally cause problems. Due to all the sniffing, a dog’s nose may become clogged with foreign items (grass blades or seeds). Due to this, dogs may then experience nasal discharge, general discomfort, and nosebleeds. It’s better to get this checked as soon as possible if you think your dog’s runny nose is caused by an object lodged in their nasal tube. The foreign object may cause infection or worse if it is not removed.

Rarely, It Can Mean Cancer

One sign of a canine nasal tumor is a runny nose. Nasal bleeding, facial malformations, and neurological abnormalities are further signs. It’s still crucial to take the appropriate precautions if you discover your dog has a runny nose, even though nasal tumors only account for 1% of all cancers detected in dogs and often afflict older animals more frequently than younger ones. 

Your veterinarian may first request a CT scan to determine the severity of the condition before making a nasal tumor diagnosis. After that, they could do a tissue biopsy and remove tissue from the vicinity of the nasal area. A few treatments can be tried if nasal cancer is discovered. Cancer treatment options include stereotactic radiosurgery, radiation therapy, and stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT). However, receiving life-saving treatment might not be possible if cancer has progressed to the bones.

How a Vet Can Help

Make a vet appointment right away if your dog’s runny nose is causing you any concern. Quickly mentioning symptoms will aid your veterinarian in making a precise diagnosis. Early diagnosis enables therapy to begin earlier, allowing your dog to experience immediate relief. The veterinarian will typically check your dog’s medical history, perform a physical examination, and consider all symptoms when you bring your dog in. 

To aid in an accurate diagnosis at this time, your veterinarian might prescribe a variety of tests. For instance, to identify the cause of the problem, x-rays, lab tests, or other procedures might be prescribed. Your doggies vet might take a sample of your dog’s nasal discharge and evaluate it for any indicators of a particular medical issue. This sample can be examined to check for any possible bacterial or fungal illnesses that could be the source of your dog’s runny nose.

Conclusion

Although a dog having a runny nose is common, excessive or colored discharge could indicate an underlying health issue. When in doubt, make an appointment. A runny nose in your dog shouldn’t raise any immediate concerns. Clear nasal discharge could indicate a seasonal allergy or a heat-related reaction. However, you should send your dog to the veterinarian if the nasal discharge is tan, bloody, or contains pus. 

A runny nose in dogs can occasionally indicate a disease, an obstruction in the nasal cavity, or an infection. The cause of a dog’s runny nose will determine how to treat it. If allergies are at blame, antihistamines may help relieve symptoms. Antibiotics might be successful if the underlying cause is an infection. In any case, consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any medications. Now that you understand the possible causes help other dogs by sharing this post with their owners. 

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