Dog sounds congested when breathing
BREATHING PROBLEMS DUE TO NASAL CONGESTION IN DOGS
Breathing problems are familiar with dogs. This is particularly because their nasal cavity is very sensitive and bleeds easily when stressed. If you observe foreign bodies in your pet, you need to go to the veterinarian for it to be extracted. Your pet may also experience nasal discharges, the collapse of the nostrils, or other problems that the vet should be aware of.
Together, we’ll analyze some of the most common problems related to your dog’s nose, as this will help you know the causes and know how to act in the different situations that may arise as a result of the problem.
My dog is brachycephalic and has breathing problems
Brachycephalic dogs, such as the Bulldog, Pekingese, Chow Chow, or Pug, among others, have a wide skull and a short nostril. These breeds often experience airway obstruction problems, which is characterized by oral breathing, snoring, snoring, or snoring. The breathing problems of these dogs become more pronounced when they exercise and worsen with age.
Airway obstruction in these cases is due to the physical deformities present in these breeds, these deformities include nasal stenosis (or collapse of the nostrils), elongation of the soft palate, and eversion of laryngeal ventricles. Nasal stenosis and soft palate elongation are inherited, while the eversion of the laryngeal ventricles is an acquired condition. These problems usually occur simultaneously.
Nasal stenosis
In puppies with nasal stenosis, the openings of the nose are small and the nasal cartilage soft and flexible, so when breathing, the puppy suffers airway obstruction. Therefore, it breathes through the mouth, makes noises when breathing, and occasionally experiences nasal discharge. Sometimes the chest is crushed. These puppies do not grow and are underdeveloped. Treatment involves enlarging the nasal openings. So we advise a visit to the veterinarian as soon as possible, as cartilage may harden before six months of age, making it difficult for surgery to be done.
Soft palate elongation
The soft palate is a mucous membrane that closes the nasopharyngeal during swallowing. When a dog suffers from elongation of the soft palate, it sits on the epiglottis, partially obstructing the airways. Symptoms are snoring, nausea, and arches. Obstruction gets worse with exercise. Treatment involves surgically shortening the palate. The operation is usually successful if it is performed before the problem affects the larynx. See your vet as soon as possible.
Eversion of the laryngeal ventricles
Laryngeal ventricles are pocket shaped slits that project into the larynx. In case of prolonged respiratory obstruction, they may enlarge and turn (eversion), further narrowing the airway. Treatment involves the removal of the ventricles. This operation is best performed at the same time as the shortening of the palate.
My dog’s got something stuck in his nose
Different forms of foreign bodies can be found on your dog’s nose: leaves, plant seeds, grasses, bone shards, wood chips…
The main symptom of the presence of a foreign body in the nose is violent sneezing, initially continuous, and then intermittent. Your dog may rub his nose with his paw, causing a nosebleed.
If the foreign body stays prolonged in the pet’s nose for hours or days, a thick, usually bloody discharge may occur. Treatment should be done along with veterinary consultation. Foreign bodies may be visible near the opening of the nostril, in which case they can be removed with tweezers. But if you’re afraid of hurting the pet, leave the removal to the veterinarian. Also, in many cases, they will be located further back and if you try to remove it, it may cause injury. Your veterinarian may perform the extraction safely, giving the pet sedatives or general anesthesia. He will then likely prescribe an antibiotic to treat the secondary bacterial infection that can occur.
My dog blows through the nose
Is your dog opening its mouth and coughing because it is unable to breathe well?
When your dog has a blocked nose and has trouble breathing, he often tries to blow out his nose, while lowering his head. This is a symptom of nasal irritation. If it lasts longer than a day, go to the veterinarian to give the appropriate diagnosis.
At home, you can alleviate discomfort using water vapor. Close the bathroom door and open the hot shower. You can take advantage of when showering by leaving the dog inside the bathroom to breathe hot, damp steam, which will help clean the nostrils.
A massage on the top of the nose and nose area can help relieve nasal congestion.
Irritating agents in the nostrils cause nasal discharge. As they also cause sneezing, the symptoms of irritation are often the presence of mucus, sneezing, and resulting shortness of breath, sometimes with nose blows.
Nervous dogs often secrete a clear watery mucus that drips from the nose and is no problem. This secretion is not accompanied by sneezing and disappears when the dog calms down.
However, any nasal discharge that persists for hours is significant. If it is aqueous and transparent, it may be a symptom of allergic and viral rhinitis, while if it is thick, it is probably due to a bacterial or fungal infection.
Nasal discharge accompanied by nausea and aches is a sign of a problem. Foreign bodies, tumors, bacterial or fungal infections can also lead to runny nosebleeds. Consult your veterinarian if any of these situations occur.
Although dogs do not contract human cold viruses, they are affected by various respiratory diseases that can be serious and whose symptoms are similar to those of the common cold. Therefore, if your dog has mucus or nasal drip, accompanied by eye discharge, cough or sneezing, also pay a visit to your veterinary for consultation.
How to decongest my dog’s nose?
Dogs breathe through their noses, except when they’re panting. If your dog breathes through its mouth, this is a sign that its nostrils are blocked.
Generally, a dog’s nasal congestion rarely results in major problems and will heal on its own. However, you can relieve your dog’s discomfort by helping him decongest his nose:
Make a soup and serve your pet hot, ensuring that the soup isn’t too hot as to cause a burn. The heat will help decongest the pet’s nose, as fluid intake also helps eliminate mucus.
Clean the nasal secretions with a cloth moistened with warm water.
Put a humidifier close to the spot where the dog sleeps.
When bathing, let the dog into the bathroom and close the door as steam from the shower will come in handy.
If the congestion does not subside or the mucus is thick, bloody, or the pet sneezes a lot or is apathetic: Take it to your vet.
My dog sneezes. What should I do?
Sneezing is an early indication of nasal irritation. If it happens occasionally, then your dog is safe, but if sneezing occurs frequently, or is accompanied by nasal discharge, it may be due to a serious condition that requires veterinary control.
Prolonged sneezing causes inflammation and congestion of the nasal membranes, making breathing noisy or the dog licking the mucus that is generated.
If your dog sneezes a lot, it can be caused by several reasons:
Excitement or anxiety
Nervous or excited dogs can sneeze. This is an unconscious reflex that is not serious and disappears when the dog calms down. However, if sneezing doesn’t subside, go to your veterinarian.
Cold or respiratory illness
Respiratory diseases can be viral, bacterial, or fungal. Go to your veterinarian to make the right diagnosis.
Foreign body in the nostrils
As already indicated in this article, it is important to go to the veterinarian to remove the body without damaging your dog.
Allergy
Go to your veterinary clinic to establish the right treatment. Your dog may be prescribed antihistamines, steroids, or some allergy injection.
If your dog has Infections, due to bacteria, fungi, or viruses. They can lead to serious illnesses, so it is important to go to the veterinarian.
Tumors
If sneezing is accompanied by nosebleeds, it may be due to a tumor or other serious illness. Go to your veterinary clinic immediately.
In conclusion, your dog’s nasal cavity is very sensitive. So If your dog is brachycephalic, it is likely to develop breathing problems. See your veterinarian for treatment as soon as possible.
The presence of foreign bodies in the nose causes a runny nose and other problems. Therefore you should see the veterinarian remove them without damaging your dog.
An aqueous and transparent nasal discharge is normal in a nervous dog and disappears when it calms down. At other times, nasal discharges may be due to illness. See your veterinarian if the discharge is accompanied by nose bleeds. Use steam, humidifiers, and consumption of hot liquid to decongest your dog’s nose.
