Dogs normally have some nasal discharge. When a runny nose is a chronic or severe, however, your dog may have a health problem. The discharge usually comes from the sinuses, postnasal area and the nasal cavities. It can be thick or watery, and may contain pus or blood, depending on the cause. You should see your veterinarian for a full diagnosis of the problem.
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Infections
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Your dog's runny nose could be due to a bacterial or fungal infection. To determine this, your veterinarian will culture the discharge for the presence of fungi or bacteria. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Fungal infections can clear up on their own but may need to be treated with anti-fungal medication.
Allergies
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Dogs can have allergic reactions just as humans do. Allergies cause coughing, wheezing and a runny nose. Plants, chemicals, household cleaners and substances in the dog's bedding are common culprits. If you know what is causing the allergic reaction, removal is the easiest way to treat it. If you do not know what it is, ask your veterinarian do some tests to determine the cause. Treatment is usually steroids.
Dental Disease
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Your dog's runny nose may be a sign of dental disease, such as periodontitis, gingivitis or tooth root abscess. Your veterinarian can examine your dog's mouth to determine if this is the problem. Treatment often involves professional cleaning under general anesthesia, gum treatment or removal of teeth.
Nasal Mites
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Nasal mite infestations usually occur only in dogs that are raised in kennels. The infection from the mites causes a runny nose. Your veterinarian can identify this by taking a swab of the dog's nasal discharge and examining it under a microscope for presence of the mites. The infestation is treated with ivermectin, which is a heart worm preventative, and often is administered directly by your veterinarian.
Foreign Objects
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Your dog may have a foreign object lodged in his nose. Dogs are always smelling the ground and sometimes sniff small items up their noses, such as a blade of grass or a seed. Indoors, your dog may have breathed in some other object. Usually, a dog will sneeze out the object on its own, but in some cases, your vet may need to remove it.
Cancer
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Nose cancer in dogs is called nasal adenocarcinoma. It can develop from pollutants and progresses slowly. Your vet may make this diagnosis after a biopsy or a rhinoscopy, in which he uses a microscopic camera to examine the nasal passages. Treatment is surgical removal of the cancer, radiation therapy and, sometimes, chemotherapy.
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