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As with people, dogs can occasionally experience a runny nose, especially if they suffer from seasonal allergies. A small amount of thin, clear nasal discharge now and then may be perfectly normal. However, if the discharge changes to an unusual color such as yellow, green, cloudy, or bloody, or if your dog shows additional symptoms like congestion, coughing, sneezing, behavioral changes, or difficulty breathing, it’s important to seek veterinary care promptly.

In younger dogs, runny noses are often caused by congenital issues (conditions present from birth), infections, or exposure to toxins. For older dogs, the underlying causes are more likely to be dental problems, cancer, or systemic diseases.

What To Do if Your Dog Has a Runny Nose

If your dog has only a slight amount of clear nasal discharge without any other symptoms, simply keep a close eye on them for any changes or worsening signs. However, you should contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing or congestion
• Noisy breathing
• Discolored nasal discharge, including blood
• Unusual lethargy or tiredness
• Persistent coughing or coughing that leads to gagging
• Eye discharge
• Loss of appetite
• Any pain, swelling, or discomfort around the nose or face

Sometimes, clear nasal discharge in dogs can be due to overheating. Unlike humans who sweat through their skin, dogs regulate body temperature through their nose and the pads of their feet. If your dog has been active or is exposed to warm weather and you notice clear discharge, move them to a cool area, ideally indoors, and provide plenty of fresh water. Continued heat exposure can lead to heatstroke, a serious medical emergency.

Causes of Runny Nose in Dogs

Nasal discharge is a broad symptom that can stem from numerous underlying causes. Working closely with your veterinarian is essential to identify the root issue and develop an effective treatment plan. Common causes of runny noses in dogs include:

Allergies

Dogs can suffer from allergies to fleas, certain foods, or environmental triggers. A runny nose often signals environmental allergies, especially seasonal ones during spring and fall when pollens, molds, and yeasts are abundant. Collaborate with your veterinarian for appropriate allergy testing and management.

Congenital Issues

Cleft palate: The palate is the roof of a dog’s mouth. A cleft palate is an opening down the middle of the palate, creating an abnormal connection between the mouth and the nose. This condition can lead to serious health complications and requires prompt veterinary evaluation.

Foreign Body or Trauma

Dogs love sniffing around close to the ground and may accidentally inhale objects like blades of grass, seeds, or small wooden splinters. They might also injure their noses by bumping into objects, causing trauma and nasal discharge.

Dental Problems

• Tooth root abscess: An infection at the root of a tooth can cause nasal discharge.
• Oronasal fistula: This is an abnormal passageway between the mouth’s roof and the nasal cavity, often caused by diseased upper teeth.

Cancer

Various nasal tumors in dogs can cause swelling, deformity, irritation, and nasal discharge. For example, adenocarcinomas develop from mucus-producing glands and tend to be locally aggressive, potentially causing significant damage to the nasal tissues.

Infections

• Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (often called kennel cough)
• Fungal infections affecting the nasal passages
• Parasites such as nasal mites

How Veterinarians Diagnose the Cause of a Runny Nose in Dogs

Your veterinarian will begin by asking detailed questions about your dog’s history and perform a thorough physical examination. This includes listening carefully to the heart and lungs and inspecting inside the nose and mouth.

If a viral infection seems likely, the history and exam might be enough for diagnosis. Sometimes, your vet may perform a nasal swab cytology to collect some nasal discharge and examine it under a microscope.

A rhinoscopy, which involves inserting a small scope to view the inside of the nasal passages, may be conducted to check for abnormalities or to take a biopsy if needed.

Additional diagnostic tests might include blood work, though blood tests typically don’t reveal the direct cause of nasal discharge. Imaging such as X-rays or advanced scans like CT may be necessary to assess the area thoroughly.

Treatment For Runny Nose in Dogs

How you can help at home:

• Keep a close watch on your dog for any worsening symptoms while awaiting veterinary care.
• If your dog is reluctant to eat, try warming canned food to enhance its aroma and make it more enticing.
• For mild nasal congestion, using a humidifier may help loosen mucus, provided your dog is otherwise behaving normally.

Once your dog receives a diagnosis, treatment will depend on the underlying cause.

Allergies

If seasonal allergies are identified as the cause, your veterinarian may recommend supportive care or prescribe allergy medications such as antihistamines or specialized prescriptions to alleviate symptoms.

Cancer

For nasal tumors, your vet will perform detailed diagnostics to classify the tumor type and evaluate whether it has spread. Based on this staging, a tailored treatment plan will be created, which may include surgery, radiation, or other therapies.

Cleft Palate

Due to the opening between the mouth and nose, food and water can enter the nasal cavity, causing serious problems including infections. Most cleft palate cases require surgical correction to prevent complications such as aspiration pneumonia and chronic infections.

Foreign Body or Trauma

If you suspect your dog has something lodged in the nose, seek veterinary attention promptly to have the object safely removed.

Dental Issues

Dental X-rays will help determine the health of tooth roots and surrounding bones. Treatment may involve antibiotics, pain relief, tooth extractions, and a veterinary-recommended diet.

Infections

Treatment depends entirely on the infectious agent. If kennel cough or pneumonia is bacterial, antibiotics may be prescribed. Fungal infections require antifungal medications, while parasitic infestations like nasal mites are treated with antiparasitic drugs as directed by your veterinarian.