What is Nose and Sinus Inflammation?
The coughing, sneezing, and stuffy sensation that humans suffer from with sinuses mirror that of what a dog experiences. Sometimes, these problems may clear up on their own if it is an allergy or irritant that is causing the problem. However, in certain instances, sinus irritations and infections can be more serious.
Bacterial infections in the nasal passages commonly incur when there has been a series of prolonged inflammation. Pet owners might notice a mucus discharge as well as prolonged sneezing episodes. During the in-office examination, the veterinarian will reference rhinitis and sinusitis, which refer to the inflammation of the nose and nasal passages.Nose and Sinus Inflammation Average Cost
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Symptoms of Nose and Sinus Inflammation in Dogs
Sinus signs in dogs may be one of the easiest to recognize for humans, primarily because the signs for both groups are a lot alike. The signs include:
- Coughing
- Eyes and nose discharge
- Fever
- Gagging
- Lack of an appetite
- Loss of energy
- Nosebleeds
- Sneezing
Types
An infection within the sinus cavities, nose, and sinus inflammation may come as a result of bacteria entering into the nasal cavities in the head. Because there is nothing to protect the open pockets in a dog's sinus, it makes a dog especially susceptible to two types of infections - viral infections and bacterial infections - that enter through the nose.
Causes of Nose and Sinus Inflammation in Dogs
Although sinus problems are a possibility for pets without these signs, pets who already suffer from allergies, asthma or a weak immune system may be more likely linked to nose and sinus inflammation. In certain instances, foxtails that can be found in rural areas may be the cause of what appear to be sinus-like systems but are often a very serious problem.
Diagnosis of Nose and Sinus Inflammation in Dogs
Nose and sinus inflammation in dogs can be tricky, primarily due to the fact that the original signs might appear minor. While these signs may clear up in a couple of days, if pet owners notice nose bleeding, or discharge that is an unusual color, gray and cloudy, or thick and green, the dog needs to see a veterinarian.
Pet owners should immediately take their dogs to the veterinarian for nosebleeds, as this is may be a more serious issue for dogs, specifically, if discharge also comes out of the nose. Discharge could be related to a dental abscess, fungal infections or tumors. Foxtail grass, which can be linked to fatalities in dogs, can be ingested in the ears, eyes, genitals, nose, and feet. Foxtail may also be linked to pus in the chest cavity of dogs. Nasal mites (bugs) could also be found.
Veterinarians will perform a complete exam of the dog's eyes, nose, and breathing habits. X-rays and an endoscope may be used to examine the dog's sinus cavities and get a better look at the discharge from nosebleeds, eyes and anywhere else.
Treatment of Nose and Sinus Inflammation in Dogs
Timely diagnosis is the key to how well or how soon treatment can work. Nasal mites may be the cause of a dog's problems. These bugs, which enter through the nose, can be killed by a drug prescription.
Tooth infections connected to the nasal area may be treated by either removing the infected tooth or by a veterinarian providing a proper teeth cleaning.
Tumors inside of the nose cannot be treated due to the structure of the nose. Tumors cannot be surgically removed, so radiation therapy is the only other option to either get rid of or slow down the growth.
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Recovery of Nose and Sinus Inflammation in Dogs
Assuming a dog has a sinus infection rather than a foreign body or tumor, medication, including antibiotics, may be prescribed to get rid of the sinus infection. The infection should only last for a week or two unless there are bigger health-related issues. Foreign bodies, foxtails, or tumors will likely require further therapy or diagnostics.
Avoid over-the-counter medication or any type of antibiotics not specifically prescribed by a veterinarian. Pet owners should also keep their dogs in warm, dry areas. Setting up a vaporizer to clear the air could expedite the healing process as well.
Nose and Sinus Inflammation Average Cost
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Nose and Sinus Inflammation Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Weimaraner
Ace
10 Months
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Nasal Discharge
My 10 month old Weimaraner puppy has been diagnosed and treated for bronchitis with Clavamox for 5 days straight so far. This morning his labs came in and showed Pseudomonas of the sinuses. Now he had his first does of Baytril(?). When do you feel he should start improving? I wonder if I should go for a second opinion? Thank you in advance for your time.
July 26, 2017
2 Recommendations
Treatment for Pseudomonas may take time, some treatment regimen may take as long as a few weeks; as far as signs of improvement, within a few days you will see an improvement of symptoms, but Pseudomonas infections may open the door for other opportunistic infections so the recovery should be monitored closely. Having a culture test of the secretions was a valuable step to determine the most suitable antibiotic to be used against the infection; enrofloxacin (Baytril) is one of the most commonly used antibiotics to treat Pseudomonas. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Our German shepherd/lab had to have emergency surgery on her cut from swallowing a toy. During her surgery while she was asleep she threw up "a ton" said the doctor and at first their were worried about pneumonia. Fast forward two years later she has chronic issues with her nose. She has snot always coming from her right and cannot breath when she sleeps. It sounds like a sucking noise as she opens her mouth. It hasn't affected her daily living at all besides she has snot coming from her nose all the time. We tried antibiotics, flushing, and nasal spray all to no avail. We stopped trying to fix it because it didn't seem to be bothering her but as she gets older I worry it's going to be a comorbidity and I want her as healthy as possible. Any thoughts!?
July 26, 2017
Jessica S.
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Dachshund
Penny
9
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Sneezing
Snoring
Congestion
My 8 yr old dachshund has been suffering with chronic sinus congestion over 4 months. We've been to the vet multiple times and been prescribed 3 different antibiotics, steroids,(see listed below)as well as otc meds benedryl and chloretimetrin. Nothing has relieved her congestion. Vet did sinus Xray but found no masses or tumors. He did state she had NO air passing through nose. When they flushed her sinuses, the solution came back clear. My Vet stated he was "perplexed" unable to provide a diagnosis.& referred us to a specialist. The specialist did endoscopy , took biopsy and blood profile. Endoscopy showed right nasal cavity had total blockage, extremely irritated & inflamed ,but no appearance of tumors, polyps etc.....Biopsy came back negative for cancer no real indication of a fungus presence and her bloodwork was perfect, no sounds of fluids in lungs & heart was strong . He too was somewhat perplexed but prescribed doxicycline & fungus med. Absolutely no improvement . Today we visited yet another vet. She stated there was no infection and felt we needed to target inflamation which she believed is being caused by some type of allergic reaction. She prescribed Apoquel tabs 3.6mgx2. I'm desperate for help. My dog is miserable and I'm miserable watching my precious doxy. A doxy unable to smell is like a human with no arms.
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
When I started to read your question I started to think about allergies, although Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton wasn’t able to clear the problem (if it is allergies), Apoquel works differently and may help if the cause is due to allergies; additionally it may be worth having Penny tested for common allergens to see if any can be identified and removed (if possible) from her environment which may help relieve the condition (if it is allergies). Your previous Veterinarian and the Veterinary Specialist seem to have covered the other usual diagnostic tests that would indicate a possible diagnosis so I am unable to think of any other way that this problem may be resolved. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
I'm going through the same thing with my 9 year old Doxie. He had a nasal scope and ct scan. The biopsy was negative. He has a deviated septum. He can't go without antibiotics. He gets terribly ill. This has been going on for a year. He cultures something new everytime. I feel like apoquel made him worse I did allergy testing he's on kangaroo protein now he has food allergies. I don't know what else to do.
July 26, 2017
Marylynn V.
I have a 12 year old Jack Russell who has had nasal congestion for over two months now. She's been on Doxicycline and prednisone which did not seem to help. She had a complete dental and her teeth were in great shape. While under anesthesia they flushed her sinuses and that did not help either. She had a complete senior blood panel and urinalysis which came back perfect. The last thing that was done was a CT scan of her head/nasal and throat. There was nothing abnormal or foreign. The only thing noted was nasal secretions and slight swelling/thickening of sinuses. My vet wants to refer me to an internist now...? It seems like I am spending a lot of money with no results whatsoever. : (
Nov. 29, 2017
Kelly C.
I have a 12 year old jack Russell with similar issues. This has been going on for about 3 years. Very very frustrating.
Feb. 2, 2018
Carol C.
Hi, I too have a 12 year old Jack Russel with sinus problems- I haven’t tried her on Benadryl
Took her to vet who said monitor her and it’s probably allergies- she has had skin allergies for a long time, one bad tooth- I noticed her nose/ breathing issues started after she had nasal vaccines- could her nasal cavity be burnt by the vaccine.
Sept. 3, 2018
Kamini S.
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American Bulldog
sky
8
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing
I have a American bulldog. She is 8. She has had nose bleeds for a year. One nose bleed was really bad, she lost a lot of blood and sneezed out a chunk of fleshy material. I took her to my vet and he did and x-ray and found a growth. We put her on antibiotics for 6 weeks and took another x ray and the growth was gone. 6 months later the nose bleeds are back and antibiotics are not working. She is still the same happy go lucky play full dog she's always been. I don't have pet insurance and don't have the thousand plus dollars they want to just to do a CT scan, is there anything else that can be done?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
A cheaper alternative to try is rhinoscopy (endoscope) which would allow your Veterinarian to visualise the location of the bleeding and take a biopsy for histopathology analysis to determine the type of lesion; the problem is if the lesion is not accessible by the rhinoscope. Other tests to try are swabbing the nose for culturing and sensitivity to determine if there is an infection (antibiotics cleared up the problem before) and which antibiotic is most suited to treating the infection and standard blood tests to determine blood counts (especially platelets) and biochemistry to get a picture of Sky’s internal health to see if any anomalies are present; but it is possible that these results would come back inconclusive. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Nose and Sinus Inflammation Average Cost
From 27 quotes ranging from $800 - $6,500
Average Cost
$1,500
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