It is difficult to be a human with a sinus problem, but it is even more difficult to be a dog with one. A dog relies on his nose to tell him information about what to eat, where to go and who is around. Sinus issues in canines make them miserable, according to vet Jeffry Tambor in Minneapolis, MN. Tambor has several suggestions when it comes to how to deal with severely or chronically stuffed-up noses in dogs.
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Allergies
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Figure out if your dog is allergic to anything. Tambor suggests a vet allergy test, but you can also test for allergies by removing things from your dog's environment, like plants, air fresheners, chemical cleaners and treats, one by one until his condition improves. Changing food will also help determine if your dog has allergies. Treat allergies in your dog by removing the source of the allergy, if possible, and by providing him with a low-dose allergy medicine, such as Benadryl, available in canine form from your vet.
Flush Nasal Cavities
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Flush your dog's nasal cavities once per week while symptoms persist. Tambor also suggests that some canines, like pugs, poodles and mixed breeds, might have nasal passages that are too small for their bodies to do the sniffing required to be a dog. If a dog has a long standing infection, flushing nasal passages is the only way to get the infected crusty material out so that your dog can get healthy. Your vet must aid you in flushing nasal cavities, as this is a process that has to be done in office and might require your animal to be sedated.
Decongestants and Cleaning
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Put your dog on a daily, low dose of decongestants. Do not use over-the-counter medication made for humans. Your vet will prescribe a decongestant to give your dog each day. Provide your dog with the medication and use a soft towel to wipe the area around his nose. Decongestants will help the nasal cavities become less crusty and more runny, so you should be able to wipe the mess away.
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