Runny Nose in Dogs

• Nasal discharge
• Swollen or puffy eyes
• Reduction in nasal respiration
• Trouble breathing
• Secretions on the fur of the dog’s face and/or arms
• Deterioration in dental health
• Bad breath

Types

• Mild, or periodic, infrequent runny nose
• Severe or chronic runny nose

Severe or chronic runny nose may be an indication of one of the following:

• Allergies, an immune system reaction to your dog’s environment.
• Foreign object in your dog’s nasal passages.
• Bacterial or fungal infection of your dog’s sinuses.
• Nasal mites, a parasitic infection of your dog’s sinuses.
• Dental diseases, such as abscessed teeth, periodontitis and gingivitis, are bacterial infections that can spread into your dog’s nasal passages.
• Nasal cancer, or nasal adenocarcinoma.

Proper diagnosis depends on your reporting your dog’s signs to a veterinarian promptly. If possible, schedule an appointment within 24 hours. The full scope of tests that may be used to diagnose the cause of your dog’s runny nose might include labwork, xrays, or rhinoscopy, which involves putting your dog under general anesthetic and examining the nasal passages through the insertion of a tube called an endoscope. 

Additional tests may include a dental exam, if dental health is deemed a potential cause. The nasal discharge may be sampled and examined for fungal and bacterial components. Your dog’s blood pressure may be recorded, as well as a test to determine your dog’s blood coagulation profile.

Treatment of runny nose in dogs varies depending upon the diagnosis.

• Allergies require determination of the cause of the reaction: it may be seasonal, or something around your house that you can eliminate. Treatment ranges from elimination of the irritant, to antihistamines, steroids or other allergy medications.  
• The veterinarian will remove any foreign objects and you will be advised on your dog’s recovery, which may involve an anti-inflammatory drug.
• A bacterial infection will be treated with a prescription of antibiotics; the veterinarian may let a fungal infection try to clear on its own or may prescribe antifungals, depending on the severity.
• Nasal mites are treated with anti-parasitic medications.
• Dental diseases will need to be treated directly, through tooth cleaning and the possible removal of teeth under anesthesia.
• Nasal cancer is by far the most serious cause of runny nose in dogs. Treatment may involve surgical removal of cancerous tumors, which can be very complicated due to the delicate structure of your dog’s nasal passages. Treatment may also include radiation therapy if diagnosed early.