Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

FOREIGN BODY IN THE NOSE
Foreign bodies that may work their way into the nasal cavity include blades of
grass, grass seeds, awns, and bone and wood splinters. The principal sign is a
sudden bout of violent sneezing, accompanied by pawing at the nose, and
occasionally, bleeding from one nostril. The sneezing is first continuous and
later intermittent. When a foreign body has been present for hours or days,
there is a thick discharge (often bloody) from the involved nostril.
Treatment: A foreign body may be visible close to the opening of the nostril,
in which case it can be removed with tweezers. In most cases it will be
located farther back. If the foreign body is not removed in a short time, it tends
to migrate even deeper into the nasal cavity. Do not poke blindly in your dog’s
nose, as this causes further injury. Take your dog to the veterinarian. Removal
of most foreign bodies requires heavy sedation or general anesthesia.
After the foreign body has been removed, your veterinarian may prescribe
an oral antibiotic to treat any secondary bacterial infection.
ORAL-NASAL FISTULA
In this condition, food and water regurgitate out the nose when the dog eats
and drinks. The most common congenital cause is cleft palate (see page 507).
An infected tooth is the most common acquired cause. The canine teeth and
fourth premolars in the upper jaw lie beneath the nasal passages. An abscessed
tooth (usually a canine tooth) can rupture into the nasal cavity. The tooth
falls out and the space it once occupied opens a passage through the hard
palate that allows food to pass from the mouth into the nose.
The signs of oral-nasal fistula are a unilateral nasal discharge accompanied
by sneezing, especially after eating.
Treatment: The problem is treated surgically by taking a flap of mucous
membrane from the inside of the mouth and suturing it across the defect.
Long-term antibiotics may be needed to clear up any infections.
Prevention: Proper dental care and prompt attention to any dental problems
while they are still minor will help prevent oral-nasal fistula caused by
tooth decay.
ALLERGIC RHINITIS
THE NOSE • 227
An allergic nasal discharge occurs in dogs with canine atopy (see page 138).
Signs are the abrupt onset of sneezing with a clear nasal discharge. Itching
around the eyes may cause the dog to rub his face on the carpet or furniture.
With repeated exposure to different allergens, the allergic response becomes a
year-round problem.