If you have puppies you will want to care for them as much as possible. A puppy with a runny nose is a problem. It means that your puppy has some health-related issue and as such you need to act. Below we will explain common causes for this issue and also explain the available treatments and what you should do when this happens.
Puppy With Runny Nose Possible Causes
Allergies
It is possible that a puppy with a runny nose has an allergy. This can be a bit tricky. You will have to know which allergy causes this. A puppy can be allergic to all kinds of things. Pollen can cause a runny nose. Grass can cause the same thing. In general, there are countless causes. It is better to take him to a vet and perform an allergy blood test. You will know which allergen causes a runny nose.
Your puppy will have symptoms of an allergic reaction. These include itchy skin, sneezing, and runny eyes. Usually, runny eyes and sneezing are present. Your vet can help you by prescribing medications. Benadryl is a good option. But you must talk to a vet first and find the best option.
Canine Influenza
This is a fancy name for dog flu. It can attack all dogs at any given moment. If you take your puppy to a dog park and he is exposed to the virus, he will catch it! The symptoms of your pet will be a fever, sneezing, lack of appetite, and lethargy.
It is possible that a puppy will have closed eyes and he will want to rest. These are minor symptoms and usually, no treatment will be needed. But, in more severe cases you will have to take him to a vet and your pet will need oxygen therapy, NSAIDs medications, antibiotics, and more. Usually, one or more of these treatments are used. Always take your puppy to a vet if you see colored discharge from the nose!
He Has Something In the Nose
Dogs and puppies will use their nose every single moment. They have a powerful sense of smell and they know it. As a result, we can see dogs who have something stuck in their nose. It can be a piece of grass, rock, or anything similar. Besides a runny nose, a puppy will also sneeze, paw the nose and even have a nose bleed.
You may want to try and examine the nose. If you can see something inside it, remove it. It can be possible to do this with your fingers. Sadly, most of the objects will be higher up the nose so you may need to use tweezers. If you are not comfortable with this (a puppy will not stay still and allow you to do this) take him to a vet.
Infections
If you notice that your puppy has pus or mucus coming out from the nose, it means infection. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections are common. Other symptoms include bad odor, coughing, and nosebleed.
There are three types of treatments here. A vet may use antibiotics if your puppy has a bacterial infection. Antifungal medications are used if a fungal infection is present. But, if there is a chronic infection, surgery may be the only option.
Canine Distemper Virus
Canine distemper virus can be hard to diagnose. It has similar symptoms to cold. In general, a puppy will have fever, diarrhea, discharge from eyes and nose and he will sneeze and vomit. Keep in mind that it is possible for a puppy to overcome this virus. There are also vaccines that can prevent the virus from affecting the puppy!
It is a wise decision to take your puppy or a young dog to a vet. With proper care, your puppy will be fine. Keep in mind that this virus can become dormant. It can stay inactive for years and present itself in the future.
Nostril Issues
It is possible that your puppy is a member of the breed that has nostril issues. The best examples here are Boston terriers, French bulldogs, and pugs. They have a runny nose when puppies are more than other breeds. Keep in mind that your puppy may also have heavy snoring and noisy breathing.
It is advised to take him to a vet and discuss your options. If your puppy has these problems, surgery may be the solution. A surgeon will increase the size of the nostrils and eliminate these issues and all the symptoms here. Your puppy will have to be fully grown if surgery is mandatory.
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough or Bordetella is basically a cold. It is possible that a puppy will not need any professional help. In other cases, your puppy will need help from a vet. Try to remember that this is extremely contagious and your puppy can infect countless other dogs and puppies! Don’t take him anywhere if you suspect he has this disease!
In general, your puppy will have a runny nose and a hacking cough. The best thing to do is to prevent this disease. You can opt for a vaccine. Puppies need this when they are 8 and later when they are 12 weeks of age.
There is no need to worry about treatment in this case scenario. The symptoms will go away without any medications. But you will have to provide plenty of fresh water to your pet, rest, and care for him. A puppy can get well within 5 days. Some other puppies will need up to 20 days of time.
If your puppy has problems breathing, or they are in pain you will have to contact your vet immediately. Complications are possible in this case scenario.
The Final Word
If you have a puppy with a runny nose, you need to care for him more than before. In most cases, this will go away without any issue and your puppy will be fine. But, if the problem remains present after a few days, a puppy may need professional help. Always look for all the symptoms and consider prevention first.