Causes of Canine Sense of Smell Loss

A canine's sense of smell is one of its most important functions. Smell influences a number of aspects of canine life including feeding behavior, social interaction and reproduction. A dog's sense of smell combined with its intelligence allows it to act as a nose for humans, which is why sniffer dogs are essential to the police force. However, a few key factors can cause a canine to lose its sense of smell.

  1. Inhaling a Foreign Body

    • Inhaling grass can cause it to get lodged in its nasal passages

      A foreign body can be inhaled and get lodged in the nasal passage. This often occurs when the animal has been playing outside. Mud, grass and soil are often small enough to enter the respiratory tract but too large to pass beyond that point. While it is less common, a similar problem can occur indoors if a dog inhales loose threads on rugs or small bits of dirt on carpets. A vet is usually able to remove the inhaled object without much difficulty as it is a common occurrence. It only causes short-term difficulty with the canine's sense of smell.

    Allergies

    • Allergies can cause short-term smell loss. Allergies tend to be seasonal, as the most common are due to pollen grains or other plant fiber. They often cause sneezing and can affect one or both nasal passageways. If an allergy develops, the only sign of distress is sneezing. All other lifestyle factors --- eating, drinking, playfulness --- tend to remain the same.

    Infections

    • The most common infections develop from the tooth of the canine. However, they can project upward and draw into the nose of the animal. Other infections can occur within membranes of the nose. Dogs that have bacterial, viral or fungal infections of the nose can develop long-term chronic conditions if not treated.

    Tumors

    • These are more common in older dogs. Signs of an intranasal tumor include bloody discharge from one nasal passageway, and sneezing. The tumor progressively develops over a 6-to-8-week period and sneezing becomes more frequent.

      The most common tumor is nasal passage cancer, predominantly among long- nosed dogs. Early signs include a loss of smell, discharge from one nasal passageway, facial deformity, loose teeth or a facial deformity. Nasal cancer commonly progresses over a three-month period before the animal is diagnosed. The initial symptoms are applicable to other problems with the nasal passage, which makes it difficult to diagnose a dog instantly. Tumors are often difficult to treat --- 68 percent of dogs with nasal cancer are not healed even with the best treatment.