My Dog has a Runny Nose in Limerick, PA, Should I Call the Vet?

A runny nose in dogs can be a sign of many different kinds of conditions. You might be worried about the health of your pet and concerned enough to call a vet. You might also be wondering if the vet really needs to be involved just because of a running nose.

You should always call the vet to make an appointment if your dog has a runny nose. Runny noses in dogs can be related to many conditions. Your pet might have a blockage or a foreign body in their nose or they might have allergies or a cold.

What Causes a Runny Nose?

There are many reasons that your dog might have a runny nose. These reasons can range from mild to serious and you should not assume that the issue is not significant. It is always a good rule of thumb to take your pet to the veterinarian if they have a runny nose to be sure that there is nothing serious going on.

Blockages

Your pet might have a runny nose due to a blockage in their nasal passages. Your dog could have a tumor, or they could have a foreign body in their nasal passages that is causing the runny nose symptoms you have noticed. Blockages do not resolve themselves and you will need your vet to help you with this issue.

Sometimes small dogs can get items like a grass blade in their nose, or your large dog might have accidentally inhaled something that is causing the irritation. If a growth or tumor is the cause of the issue, your pet might need a minor surgery to remove it. Your vet will need to use a scope to diagnose these issues correctly.

Kennel Cough

This is not as common in older dogs as they are almost always vaccinated for this condition, but puppies and unvaccinated dogs can get kennel cough. Kennel cough is highly infectious, and it can cause a very runny nose in the early stages. If your dog is not vaccinated and has been exposed to dogs in large numbers at a dog park or some other public place, your pet might have kennel cough.

You will want to visit your vet if you think this is the reason for your dog’s runny nose. You will need to treat the kennel cough with help from your vet and then get your pet vaccinated. Hopefully, your pet will not advance to the later stages of the illness, which include a loud and hoarse cough.

Allergies

While allergies are not always the cause of serious concern, your dog might be very uncomfortable each day if they are allergic to their food or something in your home. Your dog might be allergic to food, other pets in the home, or even have seasonal allergies.

Your vet will be able to help you to treat allergies effectively to make your dog feel better. Without the help of medications and a good elimination plan guided by your vet, it can be hard to control allergies effectively. Your dog might have to stay inside during some parts of the year, and you might have to change their diet or their contact with allergens in your home.

A Cold

Sometimes your dog might have a general illness that is not very serious. Colds can impact dogs and cats just like people. A runny nose can sometimes just be a sign of a simple upper respiratory illness. Your vet might prescribe some anti-inflammatories if your pet is running a fever, and they might give you some antibiotics if your pet’s lungs do not sound like they are healthy.

A cold will just have to run its course, but you will not be able to be sure that this is the reason for your dog’s runny nose without a visit to the vet. Your vet can rule out more serious conditions like distemper and other more concerning problems when you make an appointment.

Heartworm

In some instances, cold symptoms can be related to heartworm. This parasitic infection can be prevented with proper worming protocols, but if your pet has contracted heartworm, they will likely show these symptoms. Your vet can advise about ways to treat the existing infection and manage the discomfort of the cold symptoms at the same time.

It is important to note that parasitic infections are serious conditions and should not be ignored. Your pet might suffer lasting damage to their health if these parasitic infections are not treated promptly. There are some areas of the US that are more prone to these conditions, and you should be wary of skipping worming your dog if you live in these states where the incidence of heartworm is high.

If Your Dog Has a Runny Nose, You Should Call the Vet

A runny nose can be something that is not serious, but it might also be the sign of a serious condition. You should always call your vet if your dog is showing signs of a runny nose. There are many conditions that can cause a runny nose that cannot be resolved without the help of a vet.

Making sure that your pet’s condition can be treated promptly can eliminate some risks that might arise if you ignore a runny nose for too long. It is always a good rule of thumb to reach out to your vet about a runny nose just to be safe. Dogs are not prone to complaining about their runny nose and it is possible that by the time you notice it, the condition that is causing it is advanced.

To book an appointment at Limerick Veterinary Hospital for your dog’s runny nose call (610) 489-2848 or use the online form!