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Upper respiratory infection (either caused by a virus
or bacteria). This is the most common cause of sneezing in dogs.
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Allergies
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Household irritants (cigarette smoke, dust etc)
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Foreign object (grass seed etc)
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Dental abscess
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Nasal polyps
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Nasal cancer
- Nasal mites
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Fungal infection
How is the cause of sneezing
diagnosed?
Your
veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your dog & obtain a
medical history. Other signs accompanying the sneezing, the type of
discharge (if any) along with the age of the dog may give your
veterinarian an idea of the likely cause.
There
are different types of nasal discharge: serous (clear), mucoid,
purulent, bloody.
If the
sneezing is accompanied with a mucoid nasal or ocular discharge, fever,
loss of appetite, eye discharge, sores in the mouth an upper respiratory
infection is the likely cause.
If the
dog is shaking her head & or pawing at the nose, a foreign object may be
lodged in the nostril.
If the
dog also appears to suffer from itching, face/paw rubbing allergies may
be the cause.
If the
sneezing occurs at a particular time of year it may be the result of a
seasonal allergy, ie; pollen.
If the
sneezing on & off for a few hours, this may be nasal irritation or
allergy (smoke, perfume etc).
Sneezing
accompanied by blood may be a sign of nasal cancer or fungal infection.
Tests
your veterinarian may wish to perform include;
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Cytology (microscopic examination)
of nasal secretions
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Bacterial culture of nasal
secretions
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Biopsy of the nasal tissue
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Rhinoscopy (examination of the
nasal passages) with a small flexible tube known as an endoscope
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X-ray or CT scan can detect dental
abscess or cancer. This requires general anaesthesia
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Platelet count in the case of
blood coming from the nostrils
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Fungal serology
How is sneezing treated?
Treatment depends on the cause of the sneezing.
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Dental treatment & possible removal of a tooth in the case of a
dental abscess.
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Antifungal drugs for fungal infections.
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Antibiotics for bacterial infections.
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Chemotherapy & or radiotherapy for cancer.
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Vaccination is the best way to prevent viral infections in dogs, but
if your cat already has caught an upper respiratory infection, in
most cases supportive care is all that can be provided. This may
involve fluid treatment for dehydration, force feeding if the dog
has become anorexic, removal of discharge from nose to assist
breathing & eyes. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, but
may be prescribed to treat secondary bacterial infections.
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Removal of the foreign body if that is the cause.
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If
possible, removal of the cause of the allergy.
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Surgery to treat polyps.
Also see:
Dog symptoms
