Rhinitis in dogs - CAUSES and TREATMENT

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Rhinitis in dogs - CAUSES and TREATMENT
Rhinitis in dogs - CAUSES and TREATMENT
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Rhinitis in dogs - Causes and treatment
Rhinitis in dogs - Causes and treatment

In this article on our site we are going to talk about rhinitis in dogs, a problem that will affect the nasal region and that can have different causes, of greater or lesser severity, so we must go to our veterinarian so that, after the pertinent examination, he can determine the cause and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.

To detect rhinitis in dogs, tests such as X-rays, cultures or rhinoscopy are usually necessary to obtain information from inside the nasal region. Keep reading to discover how to know if your dog has rhinitis and what the treatment consists of.

Anatomy of the dog's nasal region

In the dog's nose we can see, with the naked eye, the two nostrils. Inside, running along the entire snout, is the nasal cavity, divided into two nostrils, which end up connecting with the throat. In addition, the nasal cavity extends into the so-called frontal and maxillary sinuses Any infection that affects the cavity can spread to the sinuses.

The mucosa that covers the nasal region is highly irrigated and acts as a protective barrier to defend the area against the entry of bacteria or any substance likely to cause irritation, which will be conducted towards the throat, where it is swallowed or coughed up. The nasal cavity is very sensitive and, due to the high irrigation, it bleeds easily. The secretion that comes out of the nose at first may be due to the presence of some irritating substance, which also usually manifests itself with sneezing. A runny nose that persists can be a sign of rhinitis in dogs and should be evaluated by a vet.

Rhinitis in dogs - Causes and treatment - Anatomy of the nasal region of the dog
Rhinitis in dogs - Causes and treatment - Anatomy of the nasal region of the dog

Causes and symptoms of rhinitis in dogs

Rhinitis in dogs consists of an inflammation of the nasal cavity. If it spreads to the sinuses, it will be called sinusitis. The typical signs of rhinitis are as follows:

  • Sneezing.
  • Runny nose, which is often thick and foul-smelling.
  • Nausea or retching due to substances reaching the nose and throat.

The causes behind rhinitis in dogs are various. When dealing with young dogs, rhinitis usually appears after upper respiratory infections such as those caused by viruses, but also by the presence of foreign bodies or by trauma to the nose. Viral infections can be complicated by opportunistic bacterial infections.

On the other hand, in older dogs rhinitis is more associated with the appearance of tumors or of infections in the mouth. In these cases, the nasal secretion is usually confined to a single nostril. Also, this secretion may contain blood. As we have said, any runny nose that persists will require veterinary attention.

Treatment for rhinitis in dogs

In the event of symptoms of rhinitis, our veterinarian will carry out the pertinent tests to determine the cause of the inflammation, since this is what will help us to establish the appropriate treatment. If there is presence of bacteria it becomes necessary to prescribe an antibiotic, at least for a couple of weeks. If fungi appears, the treatment of choice will be a antifungal, which must also be administered for weeks.

Sometimes, rhinitis in dogs becomes chronic, which complicates its resolution. These are cases in which a specific antibiotic will be needed and, in the most complex cases, it will even be necessary to resort to surgery to completely clean the nasal cavity.

Symptoms and treatment of allergic rhinitis in dogs

Rhinitis in dogs can also have an allergic origin. The symptoms are as described above with the difference that the nasal secretion will be transparent. In addition, the dog will have itchy, runny eyes, scratch or rub his face, and lick his paws.

This pattern is usually seasonal at first, but will eventually show up throughout the year. The dog may be allergic to pollen, household dust, plant fibers, mold, etc. It is difficult to treat because it is not usually possible to avoid contact with the substances that trigger the allergy, which, moreover, tend to be more and more. Therefore, the treatment will go through control the symptoms, identify the allergen by performing skin tests and, in some cases, applyimmunotherapy , that is, administer specific vaccines.

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