Dogs are one of the friendliest pets one can own, and they are extremely playful. But one thing that is very repetitive and important when it comes to having these animals as pets is they need a lot of maintenance in terms of food and health. There are very common problems a dog owner can face, and one such problem is a runny nose in dogs. People often neglect it thinking it is nothing, but in serious terms, a vet should check it. It’s very necessary to know about a dog runny nose so as to treat your pet efficiently. Know the reasons why my dog has a runny nose, and how to cure it.
What is Dog Runny Nose?
You will often notice that, at times, your dog’s nose becomes cold and wet. Now, what exactly does this mean? Is dog sneezing and runny nose something very serious? Generally, the answer is that it is something very serious. A canine’s nose can get runny due to several reasons. Furthermore, a runny nose dog usually involves the heavy discharge of nasal mucus.
Symptoms of Runny Nose in Dogs
Wanna know ‘what are the symptoms of a runny nose in dogs?’. Well, then, let us find out. Some common symptoms of a runny nose:
- Nasal Discharge
- Swollen Eyes
- Bad Breath
- Trouble Breathing
- Deprived Dental Health
A runny nose can be chronic also. So one should not take the symptoms lightly. Above are the 5 common symptoms of a dog runny nose. These are not very serious. But still are perfect indicators that your dog might be suffering from something and needs medical attention as soon as possible.
Why Does My Dog Have a Runny Nose? – Common Causes & Treatments
Now, a dog runny nose is something that you cannot predict. Canines are playful animals, and they love outside nature and interact with anything they find. Among these interactions, your pet could pick up some foreign particles that will affect his health. Thus, it is only natural to observe ‘my dog has a runny nose’ issue.
#1 Allergies
A dog’s nose usually consists of 300 million receptors, making their nose way more sensitive. Furthermore, a dog can get allergies to many things, such as pollen seeds, flowers, dust, synthetic substances, such as drugs, perfumes, washing soap, etc. Eating certain food items too can cause them allergies, especially onions and eggs. Hence, a dog has runny nose due to such reasons.
Symptoms of allergic reactions do not limit themselves to a runny nose only. Other symptoms, such as frequent sneezing, itchiness, and a nosebleed, are common symptoms of allergic reactions in a dog. In these situations usage of anti-inflammatory drugs like corticosteroids or antihistamines is suitable.
#2 Nasal Blockage
Often at times, the main cause of a nasal discharge is a minor blockage. Pieces of solid particles, such as a small pebble or a seed, can cause these blockages. If your furry friend is acting uncomfortable and pawing his/her nose continuously, then it can be a sign that it is suffering from a nasal blockage. But why does this happen to your dog? Dogs love to play with toys and different types of objects. In such a case, it is very much possible that some solid particle slips inside your pet’s nose and results in dog with runny nose.
Treatments for this nasal blockage can include setting up a humidifier at home, using any nasal aspirator, or massaging your dog.
#3 Infection
Any kind of infection can also result in heavy nasal discharge. Usually, the discharge of mucus and pus indicates that the nasal discharge might be a symptom of infection.
In order to reduce the side effects that your dog is suffering from an infection, we suggest you go for certain drugs like enrofloxacin and amoxicillin. However, we recommend you consult a vet before going with these medications.
What Causes Nasal Discharge in Dogs?
Dog owners often ask why their dogs get a nasal discharge. The answer can be many reasons. For example, pooches often get a runny nose when they are happy or excited to be with you. Regardless, it can also sometimes indicate serious health issues and diseases.
In general, one need not have to worry about such a situation, but prevention is always better than cure! Always get a check-up with the vet if you think that the situation might be serious.
How to Treat Your Dog’s Runny Nose?
Before considering treatment, you should first be aware of the cause of the runny nose. It can be a viral or bacterial infection and can also happen due to allergic reactions from the outside environment or any synthetic products of your household. Apart from that, your course of treatment for dog runny nose clear will depend on the category of the cause.
- Allergy – Allergies can be seasonal or permanent cause. But in general, the basic treatment for a dog’s runny nose due to allergies is eliminating the root causes of an allergy. Regardless, its causes can vary from items to the natural environment.
- For bacterial infections, vets will prescribe people antibiotics and antifungal medication. If the severity of a situation is not alarming, then a vet will keep a hold on the drugs and let them get cured naturally.
- Anti-parasitic can also prove to be fruitful for eliminating nasal mites. So, the next time you seek for a solution to ‘why is my dog’s nose runny?’, go with anti-parasitic solutions.
- In case of dental problems, cleaning the tooth or removing an infected part will solve the issue.
- Whereas, if there are serious health problems such as cancer, the correct procedure will be to remove the infected part through surgery. Here, one must also consider radiation therapy.
Conclusion
Having a pup as a pet will surely provide you with many beautiful and amazing moments, as canines are one of the friendliest animals. But from time to time, you will have to look after your pet’s health as it has very delicate health. Moreover, people often see dog runny nose. To ensure that your dog remains healthy and happy, regular vet visits are a must, and also regular exercise is very important as it will keep your dog active. If your pet does not receive regular exercise, then he/she will become vulnerable to various health issues.