What to Do If Your Dog Has Nasal Discharge

A dog's nose, when it is healthy, is constantly moist. When I am speaking of discharge, I am talking about a nose that has an obvious discharge, whether runny or contains both mucus and pus. In the previous instance, there is the continuous "dew-drop" at the end of the nose, often seen in distemper. It should not be mistaken with the rare "drip" seen in anxious puppies when held by an unfamiliar person.

A nasal discharge is caused by an assortment of reasons which may be summed up as general and local.

A strange object (for example; a seed), might be a reason for it being local. Another cause might be that the pup has been breathing in deeply polluted air (such as a room filled with smoke) or it might be a certain local infection or a congenital deformity. If the cause is general, it is related to disease, such as distemper.

The dog's temperature should be taken. If the dog is joyful and the temperature is normal, it is more than likely a local problem. On occasion, the dog might be depressed and suspends his head, even when there is no common sickness. This is frequently because of a headache and a five grain aspirin will bring much relief.

If the dog has a small temperature (over 102.5 degrees F), the eyes are reddened and swollen with or without a small discharge, and he seems a little depressed and possibly reluctant to eat, it is likely that the nasal discharge is an indication of one of the virus infections, such as distemper.

Unless the reason is apparent (for example, being in a room full of smoke as stated above) a nasal discharge in a formerly healthy dog all the time requires examination if it continues for over a few hours.

A veterinarian should be conferred with and, if relating the situation by phone, the kind of discharge (thick with mucus or clear and runny) ought to be mentioned, whether abundant or minor, when it started, the dog's general health, and whether there is any probable cause. For instance, if a dog has been taken for a walk in meadows of uncut hay, seeds might be to blame.

Until the veterinarian has checked the dog, do not come in contact with or clean off the discharge.

Nasal Discharge that is Thick with Mucus and Pus Elimination

When the reason for the problem has been identified and treatment begun, you can make the dog far happier, and definitely more respectable, by elimination of the discharge every two or three hours.

The veterinarian may recommend inhalations or nasal drops with the last possibly causing sneezing. Assist in removing the built up substance as dogs are not capable of blowing their own noses!

The nose should be washed very softly with a cotton swab immersed in warm water with a very gentle antiseptic. Dispose of each cotton swab after using it once and insert the cotton swap into each nostril very gently. Finish with a dry swab. Occasionally pure olive oil is superior to water. After cleaning the nose in this way, spread a little Vaseline over the exterior and under the flaps of the nostrils, which might get stuck down with the discharge. All cotton swabs that you use for cleaning should be disposed of properly.