What is Nasal Discharge?
If your dog is showing other signs such as increased body temperature, lack of appetite, excessive sleepiness, or other abnormal behavior, you should see a veterinarian right away. In most cases, nasal discharge is found to be an allergy or upper respiratory infection such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Less frequently, lower respiratory issues can involve the bronchi or trachea.
Other causes such as dental disease, neoplasia, trauma, foreign bodies in the nasal passage, and fungal infection are not as common, but possible. Nasal infections and other upper respiratory infections affect brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs more than others. Some of these dogs include Shih Tzus, Pugs, French or English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Pekingese.
Nasal discharge is a common condition in dogs, and may not be a condition at all. Some dogs just get runny noses once in awhile. However, if the discharge is any color besides clear or if he has other signs or has a hard time breathing, you should make an appointment for your dog to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Nasal discharge may be caused by allergies, respiratory virus (parainfluenza, adenovirus, or distemper), parasitic infestation, or even dental problems.
Symptoms of Nasal Discharge in Dogs
The signs of nasal discharge in dogs vary depending on the cause of the discharge. Many dogs can have a runny nose for no reason whatsoever at times and you may not even notice anything except a wet nose. In that case, there is no need to contact a veterinary professional. However, you should make an appointment if your dog also has any of these signs:
- Wet, runny nose for longer than 24 hours
- Red, swollen or puffy eyes
- Loud breathing
- Panting
- Bad breath
- Rubbing or pawing at nose and face
- Head shaking
- Trouble breathing through nose
- Coughing
- Appetite loss
- Agitation
- Depression
- General malaise
Types
The type of nasal discharge can be helpful in determining the condition so you should tell the veterinarian if your dog’s runny nose looks like any of these:
- Hemorrhagic (bloody) is usually caused by trauma or dental disease
- Serous (watery, thin, clear) is usually just an allergy
- Mucous (thick) may be yellow or white and is accompanied by inflammation
- Purulent (green or yellow) is usually caused by bacterial infections
- Constant or intermittent
- Both nostrils involved or just one
Causes of Nasal Discharge in Dogs
- Allergies usually do not cause any other signs besides clear nasal discharge, runny eyes, sneezing, and coughing; this condition usually happens seasonally from allergens like pollens, grass, or mold
- Infections are usually more noticeable due to the color of the discharge (yellow or green) and the other symptoms such as malaise, fever, and general ill behavior
- Foreign bodies can include anything from a stick to a rock, or even a bug or other strange items
- Tumors usually only occur in older dogs that are over eight years of age. There is usually a bloody discharge and deformity, weight loss, and overall weakness
Diagnosis of Nasal Discharge in Dogs
To diagnose nasal discharge in dogs, your veterinarian will need to do a complete physical examination including vital signs, weight, general coat condition, palpation, and auscultation. In addition, a sample of the discharge will be taken for microscopic evaluation and cultures. The veterinarian may also use an endoscope to look into your dog’s airway through the nasal passage. Also, laboratory tests may be performed such as a urinalysis, fecal exam, and blood tests. Finally, chest x-rays might be done to check the lungs, and the veterinarian may also want to get a CT scan, ultrasound, and MRI if needed.
Treatment of Nasal Discharge in Dogs
The treatment for nasal discharge will first include oxygen therapy if your dog is having trouble breathing. Further treatment depends on the cause of the condition.
Allergies
Allergies are typically treated with antihistamines, corticosteroids, and eliminating the allergen as much as possible. There are many options for treating allergies medically.
Infections
Bacterial infection is usually treated with antibiotics, fungal infection is treated with antifungals, and parasites are treated with anti-parasitic medication. If your dog has pneumonia or another serious lung infection, the veterinarian may decide to keep him overnight for breathing treatments and observation.
Foreign Body
Depending on the item in your dog’s nasal passage and how far it is embedded in his nose, surgical removal may be necessary.
Tumor
A tumor in a dog’s nasal passage may be benign, or malignant (cancer). The treatment might include surgical removal of the tumor.
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Recovery of Nasal Discharge in Dogs
Most cases of nasal discharge have excellent prognoses. The sooner you get treatment the better, so it is always important to see the veterinarian right away if your dog has a discharge from the nose.
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Nasal Discharge Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Bernedoodle
4 weeks
0 found this helpful
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing, Always Hungry, Sneezing Any Liquid We Give Her Out Of Her Nose, Up And Down In Weight
We have a 4 week old puppy that no matter what liquid we give her she sneezing it out of her nose. Her weight keeps going up and down and when she was born she was dead. She doesn't eat hard food at all. She seems a little slower then siblings and we have had her on amoxicillin and now Doxycycline but nothing seems to work. She doe not have a cleft palate and vet said the lungs sound fine.
Aug. 6, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. If fluid is coming out of her nose, there is some communication between her oral and nasal cavities, which is not normal. If she starts eating hard food, that may get better, but it may continue to be a problem. It would be a good idea to have frequent rechecks with your veterinarian, as things can become more obvious as she gets older.
I hope that all goes well for her.
Aug. 8, 2020
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Golden Retriever
Eleven Weeks
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Runny Nose
Hello! My puppy has been sneezing for a few days now. His left nostril has a yellowish discharge that comes out when he sneezes. The right nostril appears to be a normal runny nose. When he sleeps, there is occasional water from his runny nose on the floor. Any idea what the yellow discharge could be and how to fix it? His appetite/energy/sleeping is normal.
P.S It would not let me proceed without selecting a medication, he is not on any medication for this! Please ignore Amitraz as he is not on that!
Aug. 6, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. That is a lot of discharge. He may have an infection or a problem with his nose, and it would be a good idea to have him seen by your veterinarian, as they can examine him,see what might be going on, and get him medications if needed.
I hope that all goes well for him!
Aug. 8, 2020
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Cocker Spaniel
Twelve Weeks
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Sounds Congested/Hacking Cough/Runny Nose
Should I take him to the vet? He acts completely fine and energetic and happy and plays. There is no loss of appetite
July 31, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello-
Your puppy is absolutely adorable!! With the respiratory symptoms I do think it would be a good idea to have him examined by your veterinarian. I’m happy that he is still acting like a normal puppy, but it sounds like he may have developed an upper respiratory tract infection. Your veterinarian can decide based on exam and listening to his heart and lungs if antibiotics are needed at this point. Enjoy your new puppy.
July 31, 2020
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Shepherd Pit
One Year
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Running Nose And Sneezing
My dog has been sneezing more than often through out the day. When he is sleeping his nose is dripping brownish mucus discharge. Sometimes at night he wakes up as if he is choking on his mucus. He still eating regularly and seems to be fine throughout the day.
July 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello,
So sorry that your dog isnt feel good. It does sound like he may have an upper respiratory infection. It would be best for him to see your vet. They can start him on medication to treat this infection and help him feel much better. I hope your dog starts to feel better soon.
July 24, 2020
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Shitzu
1 mont
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
My puppy is 1 month as of today she has white stuff coming from her mouth & also shaking very bad & keep opening her mouth
July 18, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Your puppy sounds quite ill, and one month old puppies need veterinary care if they are not doing well.
It would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian right away, as they can examine her and see what might be going on, and get treatment for her.
I hope that she is okay.
July 18, 2020
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Goldendoodle
Pinkerton
9 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cough, Sneeze, Copious Mucous,
9 year old golden doodle with cough, thick yellow/green nasal drainage, difficulty breathing at times times 1 year. Been to the vet numerous times. On heart pill for enlarged heart, they say now 1 lung is full of fluid. On Lasix for 4 days with little improvement. Lethargy, still eating, going outside. Vet says thick nasal drainage due to heart failure. Wouldn't it be frothy sputum from mouth if due to heart failure? On a coarse of antibiotics with little effect. Giving Benadryl, but only makes him more tired. The thick yellow/green nasal drainage pours from his nose while laying down and trying to sleep. Vet just says he's at end stage cardiac failure. I accept this, but the nasal drainage doesn't sound like cardiac to me. No fever. Lots of post nasal drip. Don't know if we should consider euthanasia at this time. He still seems fairly content with times where he seems "scared".
