Sneezing and Nasal Discharge in Dogs

Sneezing and Nasal Discharge in Dogs

By: PetPlace Veterinarians

Section: Causes

The following list emphasizes the most important causes of nasal discharge.

  • Infectious diseases – viral and bacterial: Rickettsial infections (also lead to bleeding disorders), bacterial infections (usually secondary to something else), Bordetellosis (a type of bacteria).

  • Infectious diseases – fungal diseases (mycotic infections) – Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhinosporidium, Sporothrix

  • Nasal mites (tiny insects)

  • Dental disease with infection of the tooth roots

  • Inflammatory diseases of the nasal cavity such as 1) lymphocytic plasmacytic rhinitis – an "immune" or nonspecific response of the nasal mucosa (lining cells) to an injury or stimulation or 2) idiopathic (no known cause) including "allergic" rhinitis

  • Neoplasia – tumors or cancers, including: adenocarcinoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, mast cell tumor, osteosarcoma, squamous cell carcino
    ma, transmissible venereal tumor

  • Polyps – inflammatory benign growths

  • Congenital diseases – ciliary dyskinesis (lack of normal microscopic hairs, cleft palate (food leaks from mouth to nose), imperforate posterior choanae openings (nasal discharge cannot drain)

  • Foreign bodies

  • Trauma

  • Bleeding disorders – abnormal clotting of blood manifested as a "nose bleed" caused by: immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, von Willebrands's disease, thrombocytopathia, Ehrlichiosis, hyperglobulinemia, polycythemia, hyperviscosity syndromes and hypertension

  • Extranasal diseases leading to nasal discharge: pneumonia, swallowing disorders, deficiency in local immunity (IgA)

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