The throat is the end of the two major air passages, which begin at the nostrils. Very fine scrolls of bone called turbinates fill the nasal passages. They have a covering of pink tissue (mucosa), much like the lining of the mouth. As the air passes through the turbinates in the nose, it is warmed and filtered on its way to the lungs. The nasal cavity is separated from the mouth by what we call the “roof” or the hard palate.

 

The source of a nasal discharge is typically in the upper respiratory organs such as nasal cavities, sinuses, and the postnasal area. However, if the dog has a swallowing disorder or a digestive tract disease, secretions may be forced into the postnasal area. If the secretions are coming from the eye, it may be caused by nerve damage to the middle ear.

 

This nasal discharge may be watery, thick and mucus-like, or it may have pus or blood in it. (Blood-tinged discharge is a good indicator that there is a blood disorder.) Nasal discharge usually occurs when infectious, chemical, or inflammatory invaders irritate the nasal passages. It may also be from a foreign object that has become lodged in the nose. If your dog has a middle ear disease, it may decrease the normal secretions and cause the animal to secrete an abnormal amount of mucus.

 

Remember that it is normal for your dog to sneeze and have a nasal discharge, just as it is for humans. It is only when it becomes severe or chronic that you need to become concerned.

 

Symptoms

 

Inflamed eyes(s)Reduction in nasal air flowDiseased teethSecretions or dried discharge on the hair of the muzzle or forelimbsSwelling of face or hard palate (due to tumor or abscess of fourth premolar)Polyp (may be visible on ear exam, or by pushing the soft palate down on oral exam)

 

Causes

 

Dental diseaseInfectious agents (i.e., bacteria, fungi)Foreign bodies (primarily occuring in outdoor animals)Nasal mites (primarily occuring in kennel-raised dogs)Weak immune systemChronic steroid useChronic pneumoniaChronic vomitingChronic inflammation of the earCancer (more likely in middle-sized to large dogs with long noses)

 

Diagnosis

 

RhinoscopyDental examCulture of discharge for fungus and bacteriaBiopsy of nasal cavityBronchoscopy, if discharge has been accompanied by coughingBlood pressure and blood test, including coagulation profileTear test to evaluate for possible facial nerve damage from chronic ear infections

 

Treatment

The condition will not require hospitalization unless surgery is recommended, or if an exploratory scope of the nasal cavity or the sinuses is required. If it is determined that the cause is fungal, your veterinarian will prescribe medication.

 

Living and Management

Keep your pet warm and make sure they get enough to eat and drink. In addition, keep the nasal passages clean, especially if there is a discharge or chronic sneezing. Finally, keep your dog’s living area clean.

sinus

A cavity within a bone; may also indicate a flow or channel

nerve

A bundle of fibers that are used in the process of sending impulses through the body

molar

The cheek teeth of an animal

mites

Any type of arachnid excluding ticks

tumor

A mass of tissue with no real function; may be malignant or benign

lung

The organ involved with respiration

pica

A type of ravenous appetite that causes animals to eat or lick at strange substances

ion

An atom that has a positive or negative charge

nag

A type of horse that does not belong to a particular breed

dam

Any female animal that has given birth.

pus

A product made of fluid, cell waste, and cells

mucus

A type of slime that is made up of certain salts, cells, or leukocytes

bone

The skeleton that frames the body of an animal or person.

otitis

A medical condition in which the ear becomes inflamed

pneumonia

A condition of the lungs involving inflammation and congestion

secretion

The oozing or liberation of oil or liquid from cells or glands of living things

turbinates

Bones inside the nasal cavity

infectious

Something that has the ability to be transferred from something to something else

inflammation

A type of swelling or pain that is the body’s way of warding off injury, pain, or illness

discharge

Any substance that oozed from a wound or an opening in the body

premolar

The teeth found between the canine teeth and molars

muzzle

The term for the nostrils and muscles in the upper and lower lips of an animal; may also be used to describe a type of tool used to keep an animal from biting

digestive tract

The whole system involved in digestion from mouth to anus

tissue

A group of cells designated for specialized function that is similar in function to one another

steroid

The term for a type of medication that impacts immunity, metabolism, sexual characteristics, and other such elements of a living thing

abscess

A localized infection, usually a lesion filled with pus. Can be large or small in size.

infect

To cause disease by introducing germs or fungus

Related ArticlesDiseases of the Skin on the Nose in DogsNose Cancer in DogsDevelopment of Abnormal Cells in the Nasal Passages of DogsInflammation of the Nasal Cavity and/or Sinuses in DogsBack to top

 

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The throat is the end of the two major air passages, which begin at the nostrils. Very fine scrolls of bone called turbinates fill the nasal passages. They have a covering of pink tissue (mucosa), much like the lining of the mouth. As the air passes through the turbinates in the nose, it is warmed and filtered on its way to the lungs. The nasal cavity is separated from the mouth by what we call the “roof” or the hard palate.

 

The source of a nasal discharge is typically in the upper respiratory organs such as nasal cavities, sinuses, and the postnasal area. However, if the dog has a swallowing disorder or a digestive tract disease, secretions may be forced into the postnasal area. If the secretions are coming from the eye, it may be caused by nerve damage to the middle ear.

 

This nasal discharge may be watery, thick and mucus-like, or it may have pus or blood in it. (Blood-tinged discharge is a good indicator that there is a blood disorder.) Nasal discharge usually occurs when infectious, chemical, or inflammatory invaders irritate the nasal passages. It may also be from a foreign object that has become lodged in the nose. If your dog has a middle ear disease, it may decrease the normal secretions and cause the animal to secrete an abnormal amount of mucus.

 

Remember that it is normal for your dog to sneeze and have a nasal discharge, just as it is for humans. It is only when it becomes severe or chronic that you need to become concerned.

 

Symptoms

 

Inflamed eyes(s)Reduction in nasal air flowDiseased teethSecretions or dried discharge on the hair of the muzzle or forelimbsSwelling of face or hard palate (due to tumor or abscess of fourth premolar)Polyp (may be visible on ear exam, or by pushing the soft palate down on oral exam)

 

Causes

 

Dental diseaseInfectious agents (i.e., bacteria, fungi)Foreign bodies (primarily occuring in outdoor animals)Nasal mites (primarily occuring in kennel-raised dogs)Weak immune systemChronic steroid useChronic pneumoniaChronic vomitingChronic inflammation of the earCancer (more likely in middle-sized to large dogs with long noses)

 

Diagnosis

 

RhinoscopyDental examCulture of discharge for fungus and bacteriaBiopsy of nasal cavityBronchoscopy, if discharge has been accompanied by coughingBlood pressure and blood test, including coagulation profileTear test to evaluate for possible facial nerve damage from chronic ear infections

 

Treatment

The condition will not require hospitalization unless surgery is recommended, or if an exploratory scope of the nasal cavity or the sinuses is required. If it is determined that the cause is fungal, your veterinarian will prescribe medication.

 

Living and Management

Keep your pet warm and make sure they get enough to eat and drink. In addition, keep the nasal passages clean, especially if there is a discharge or chronic sneezing. Finally, keep your dog’s living area clean.

sinus

A cavity within a bone; may also indicate a flow or channel

nerve

A bundle of fibers that are used in the process of sending impulses through the body

molar

The cheek teeth of an animal

mites

Any type of arachnid excluding ticks

tumor

A mass of tissue with no real function; may be malignant or benign

lung

The organ involved with respiration

pica

A type of ravenous appetite that causes animals to eat or lick at strange substances

ion

An atom that has a positive or negative charge

nag

A type of horse that does not belong to a particular breed

dam

Any female animal that has given birth.

pus

A product made of fluid, cell waste, and cells

mucus

A type of slime that is made up of certain salts, cells, or leukocytes

bone

The skeleton that frames the body of an animal or person.

otitis

A medical condition in which the ear becomes inflamed

pneumonia

A condition of the lungs involving inflammation and congestion

secretion

The oozing or liberation of oil or liquid from cells or glands of living things

turbinates

Bones inside the nasal cavity

infectious

Something that has the ability to be transferred from something to something else

inflammation

A type of swelling or pain that is the body’s way of warding off injury, pain, or illness

discharge

Any substance that oozed from a wound or an opening in the body

premolar

The teeth found between the canine teeth and molars

muzzle

The term for the nostrils and muscles in the upper and lower lips of an animal; may also be used to describe a type of tool used to keep an animal from biting

digestive tract

The whole system involved in digestion from mouth to anus

tissue

A group of cells designated for specialized function that is similar in function to one another

steroid

The term for a type of medication that impacts immunity, metabolism, sexual characteristics, and other such elements of a living thing

abscess

A localized infection, usually a lesion filled with pus. Can be large or small in size.

infect

To cause disease by introducing germs or fungus

Related ArticlesDiseases of the Skin on the Nose in DogsNose Cancer in DogsDevelopment of Abnormal Cells in the Nasal Passages of DogsInflammation of the Nasal Cavity and/or Sinuses in DogsBack to top

 

registerforgot password?

 

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