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Dog runny nose

Canine Nose Bleeding:

While dog sneezing and dog wheezing can be caused due to kennel cough, if your dog has a runny nose, there might be many various reasons behind it.




Each of these causes has a different cure so it's better to fully ascertain the cause of the canine runny nose before you begin with the treatment. Dogs may have wet noses which sometimes run so if you're thinking, ''Does my dog have a runny nose?'', first check whether the nose is really runny or is it simply wet.

A runny nose may be a sign of a cold or an infection in the upper respiratory tract.



The color of the nasal discharge can often point out the exact cause of the problem.

Allergies are the most common causes of dog runny nose. Just like humans, dogs too are allergic to seeds and pollen and can develop hay fever too. If a clear discharge is coming out from your dog's nose and the eyes are runny too, your dog is suffering from allergic rhinitis and proper treatment should be given for it.



Your vet may prescribe antihistamines to alleviate the symptoms.

Apart from allergic reactions, runny noses can also be caused due to several bacterial, viral, and nasal infections. If your dog has a yellow colored discharge coming out of the nose, it is a sign of an infection. Your vet may ask you to submit some of the discharge for a culture test to ascertain the exact cause of the infection. Antibiotics can cure most of these infections.

If the discharge from your pet's nose is especially thick and full of pus, the discharge can be a symptom of canine influenza or distemper. These diseases are caused by viruses and require extensive treatment. The dog needs to be given lots of fluids in order to increase immunity and prevent dehydration.

If the discharge is flowing only from one of the nostrils, it's an indication of a foreign material stuck inside the nose or the nostril. If you can see the foreign object, you may remove it with the help of sterilized tweezers. However, if you can't see it, take your pet to a doctor immediately.

Nasal polyps and tumors, though not common, may also be the cause of such a discharge. These polyps may also cause discharge of blood from the nose. Polyps cannot be treated with medications. They have to be removed surgically.

 

 
 
  Submitted on May 7, 2010  
 
 
 

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