Dogs have a variety of conditions that cause a runny nose, such as allergies or tumors. The method of treating a common cold depends on the specific cause of its occurrence. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis of the disease.
Diagnosis
A runny nose in a dog can signal a serious illness. To diagnose and begin treatment, you need to analyze the discharge from the nose. If the discharge is clear, there may be a foreign object in the nasal passage, such discharge may also indicate an allergy. If the discharge is thick enough, the dog is most likely having a respiratory infection.
Allergy treatment
The most common cause of a common cold in dogs is allergies to pollen, dust, chemicals, etc. Like humans, dogs are often prone to such ailments. Additional confirmation of allergy can be discharge from the eyes, frequent sneezing and coughing, itchy skin. In order to start treating a cold in this case, it is necessary, first of all, to accurately identify the allergen and prevent the dog from reaching it. For allergies, veterinarians often prescribe antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine. Please consult your veterinarian before using any medications, their effectiveness depends on the individual case and the dog itself.
In some cases, a veterinarian may prescribe a corticosteroid medication.
Treatment for infection
If the cause of the common cold is a viral infection (cold), as indicated by yellow and hard nasal discharge, antibiotic treatment is necessary. Infection in dogs can be fungal, viral, and bacterial. Depending on its specific type, certain drugs are used.
In the presence of purulent discharge, a diagnosis of distemper can be made. This is a deadly disease that requires immediate treatment. It can also be treated with antibiotics, but other methods, such as fluid therapy, may be needed.
A pink color of nasal discharge indicates a fungal infection. It is difficult to treat because multiplies very quickly. However, the use of antifungicides can help get rid of the disease.
The course of treatment for viral diseases lasts about 2 weeks, fungal - a month or more.
Foreign objects
A clear sign that a foreign object has entered the dog's nose is a discharge from only one nostril. In addition, nosebleeds can indicate damage to the airways. Try to remove the item yourself, for example with tweezers. If this fails, contact your veterinarian.
Surgical intervention
If your dog's runny nose is chronic and does not respond to treatment, it is most likely that it has a tumor or polyps. In this case, the only treatment is surgery.
