COMMON CAUSES OF A RUNNY NOSE IN DOGS
While a slight mucus in the nose of a dog may not be alarming, if it festers, or you detect any other symptoms, you need to consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Discussed below are the most common causes to explain why the dog has snot. Although we associate mucus with a cold, we will see other diseases that are also characterized by nasal secretion.
NASAL DISCHARGE IN THE DOG
The appearance of snot is due to the presence of any element including gases in the nostrils of a dog capable of causing irritation. Furthermore, a dog with snot usually also experiences sneezing as it is also due to nasal irritation.
Sometimes, animals with nasal discharge also experience vomiting, which is caused by post-nasal drip; a condition were excess mucus accumulates and drips down the back of the nose and throat, resulting in arches. Here are different causes of nasal mucus explained;
Why you should go to the Vet if your dog has snot?
Although a nasal discharge may seem like a mild ailment, especially if it is fluidic and the animal isn’t showing any suggestive signs of a disease. The truth is that there is a risk of complications.
A foreign body, tumor, or an infection such as those caused by bacteria or fungi can cause damage to the nasal mucous membranes. In these instances, the issue is intensified by the emergence of further or less severe bleeding. It could also be complicated by rhinitis and sinusitis.
Canine atopia – Symptoms of this condition include a consistent discharge of a transparent aqueous substance from the nose, due to sneezing and itching of the face and the entire body with the legs or against objects. This scratching ends up damaging the skin.
It is due to an allergy that, although may be only seasonal at first, ends up being present all year round. It is difficult to ascertain exactly what causes this reaction. However, treatment would be to avoid this antigen altogether, although it is not always possible. Hence the symptoms are being monitored by epidemiologists.
Presence of foreign bodies – When a foreign body gets into the nose, the resultant discharge usually extrudes only through the hole where it is housed. The most objects found on the dogs’ noses are seeds, spikes or splinters.
It is common for the dog to sneeze, in an attempt to eliminate them, and this can even cause bleeding. If the foreign body is not removed soon enough, both nostrils could end up with lots of discharge.
How do I know if my dog has a spike in his nose?
Sometimes they can be seen and removed, gently, with tweezers but, in general, they might be deep down in the nose and should only be removed by the veterinarian, usually after administering anesthesia. Followed by prescribing some antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections.
Rhinitis and sinusitis
The nasal cavity extends inward through the front and maxillary sinuses. Hence, any nasal infection can also affect these areas, resulting in rhinitis which is the swelling or inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose or sinusitis when such inflammation also affects the nasal cavity.
This can be caused by several things, such as an allergy or the presence of viruses such as herpes, adenovirus or parainfluenza, resulting in a fluidic and transparent nasal discharge. If bacteria or fungi are involved, the mucus is usually thick and smelly, with sneezing and arching also present.
Distemper, tumors, or dental infections are other causes of rhinitis and sinusitis. In this instance, it is important that veterinary treatment should be based on the on the trigger it’s self. Cases that have existed for a while are harder to resolve and surgery may even be needed.
Oronasal fistulas
In this case the nasal discharge would occur only in one of the nostrils, characterized by sneezing that increases after eating. When this condition occurs, the food and water the dog ingests is expelled through the nose. Some dogs are born with this problem due to a fractured palate.
It most likely occurs as a result of an infection in a tooth located in the upper jaw. If an abscess occurs by cluster of pus, it can open into the nasal cavity, causing the tooth to fall creating a hole which allows the passage of food and water from the mouth to the nose. It can be resolved by surgery.
Tumors and polyps in the nose
If your dog suffers from a tumor or polyp located in the nasal region, the resultant secretion and likely will protrude from the hole where the tumor is located. These growths hurt a lot when exposed to air.
Polyps can be removed, although they are likely to reappear. Older dogs are the most likely to experience these highly infectious neoplasmic tumors. The nonmalignant one can be extracted and the malignant or infectious ones treated, although the diagnosis will be reserved.
Nasal mucus and nerves
Finally, some dogs experience fluidic nasal discharge, such as water, which is visible when they are much tensed. This is not harmful to the dog in anyway and spontaneously disappears as soon as the dog relaxes.
