Help - Dog Nose Problem!
Thursday November 13, 2003
Lionsteve asks: "We have a Yellow Lab mix. Not sure how old she is but our guess is about 8 or 9. A while back she started "snorting" when she would get excited. Sort of a asthma sort of snort. We took her to the vet and they did several test with no results. They gave her an antibiotic. No real help. It doesn't seem to bother her too much. Well a couple of weeks ago she started having bloody discharge from her nose. Just a little here and there. Just curious if someone else has seen this or might know what it is that we are dealing with. Any ideas? Thanks in advance."
Comments
I have a Shiba Inu with similar problems. He snorts when he is excited or when he eats sometimes. It was minimal at first, but now seems to be increasing in frequency and duration. He has also now developed a crusty discharge around one side of his nose. No one has been able to tell me what is wrong with him, some suggest allergies. Nothing seems to be painful, but it seems that the symptoms are increasing. If you happen to find out what your dog has, maybe mine is suffering from a similar problem or the same problem.
I have a thirteen year old rotweiller, very timid since pup, anyways she has been for the last month getting speratic nose bleeds with a bit of discharge as well. I know she is old, so we have been making her as comfortable as possible, for all the hard work she has done for us all these years on our little farm. She is up to date on all her shots, and she did have parvo as a pup. We are just lucky to have had her this long. good luck with you and yours.
I have an 12 year timberwolf-mix who started bleeding during the summer. We thought it was due to the heat (we live in AZ) The vet said that it was unlikely so we took Buddy in to see his vet, everything was fine. 2 months later his nose started to bleed again this time it’s worse and he is snorting and rubbing his paws over his nose. I can’t see anything up his nose and he is eating and sleeping find. Is there such a thing as subsidized pet care? I’m afraid, I love my dog, but I can’t afford to pay hundreds of dollars right now.
The tip of my dog’s nose looks like it is rotting and now he has an open sore on each nostril. What can I do short of taking him to the vet?
i ve read the qusetions, no answers… my dogs got the same? did anyone of you get a reply or any help form anywhere else?
My dog was doing that snorting thing also and than started bleeding profusly from his nose. We took him to the hospital and they said he might have cancer or a bacterial infection. I didn’t have the money for tests so we gave him an antibiotic for two weeks it didn’t help. His nose stopped bleeding really bad, its just a little bit of blood here and there…I don’t know what to do, he seems fine and lively as ever…does anybody else have this problem and if so what did you do?
Our 6 year old golden has had nose bleeds on and off the past 6 weeks. A couple rounds of antibiotics has not helped. Xrays are nonconclusive; tonight she is just laying around after 2 antibiotic shots because her white count is high, showing infection, but we still don’t know what’s going on with her. It hurts to see her like this.
My yellow lab has sneezing and bloody discharge from nose. He is on his second round of antibiotics. Antibiotics help with the discharge, but if it comes back the vet suggests a nasal probe. He said there could be a piece of grass or something else in there. It is expensive–about $1000. Has anybody found any other way to help. Can the dog eventually sneeze object out?
I have a 6 yr old saluki who started showing signs of allergies, running eyes. Then stopped up nose, snorting, swollen glands on one side of the neck. Blood test show no infection, however after 3 rounds of anti-biotic and using antihysermines, there is no imporovement. Had her head xrayed for a tumor, there is none. All this cost me nearly $800 and I still have no answer. I wish to find a vet with a probe to see up her nose. Does anyone have a vet or know of one in the East TN, West NC, or N. GA area with one?
In 2006, my German Shepard started to snorting and had an ear infection. After 2 months his nose started to bleed; done a lot of test:biopsy, blood coagulation, CT scan; no result, no cancer, no fungus. I suspected connection between ear infection and bleeding nose; given prednison; bleeding stoped. Since then every 4-5 months ear infection & bleeding nose. It is like a cycle. Spent a lot of money and still no answer, WHY?
My 10 year old snorts when shes excited and sometimes gets a bloody nose this recently started happening – Lots of money on tests – no results
We love our dogs but how much do you spend to not get help for them
Recently, my dog snowflake (maltese female) had a snorking then wiping her paws constantly. Then she started to sneeze frequently,until she started to bleed. I took her to the vet and she now has cancer. She is eating chasing her tail, but she is bleeding slightly, I am making her more comfortable, and spend more time with her. She is 13 1/2 years old and I don’t want to put her through more expensive tests, because she is so fragile.
I had two dogs that sneezed and wheezed and they had enlarged hearts. It’s pretty serious. By the time the vet finally figured it out (couple years had gone by) she couldn’t handle the meds and had a heart attack. So get it checked early.
GOOGLE THIS: DOG FOXTAIL IN NOSE Apparently there is a plant which shoots out grains that burrow in the dogs noses and can cause bleeding, pus, and pain in the dog’s nose, ears, vagina, skin, etc. Pretty horrible stuff. Print out the info and bring it to your vet.
Re: foxtails – see also:
Protect your pet against Cheat Grass and Foxtail! Quick Tip. Mid-summer to fall is when these nasty grass seeds (awns) make their way into paws, noses, ears, etc.
Last week I noticed Ivy’s (8 1/2 year old rott mix) breathing was rhaspy when breathing through nose only. Took her to vet and found that both nostrils were irritated. Blood work showed no infection. Went ahead and put her on antibiotics as well as 2 25mg benadryl twice daily. Diagnosis was most likely allergies. Breathing has improved but now she has started to have nose bleeds (both nostrils) after snorting and a yellow discharge.
I am thinking that it might be the grass or air outside. She stops at the door and does not want to go outside to use the bathroom. Normally she jumps at the chance to go outside. Will take her back for nose xray if no improvement in couple of days.
Our beloved dog Jack (a golden lab mix) started with an eye discharge and sensitivity to anyone coming near the right side of his head. Had a blood discharge for a short period of time. Brought to vet right away. Gave him benadryl. Symptoms got worse a couple weeks later and he was treated with antibiotic thinking that it could be a tooth. Developed a lump near right eye. Brought him to vet today who made an incision and said that part of the bone in his nose was eaten away. She now thinks that it is cancer and has sent a biopsy off to be evaluated. We are heartbroken. My niece who is a veterinary student says that fungal infections can do the same things. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Our lab has blood discharge from the right nostril and now has developed a lump near right eye.
my lovely girl had a nosebleed and vet said lawn allergies. It got worse but he said the same. Then 6 months later, she falls from weakness and is bloated, vet says pinched nerve. Emergency vet suggests an ultrasound and biopsy but regular vet poo-poos it. After third fainting, I took her to UC Davis. hemangiosarcoma. Lethal. One of the symptoms: nosebleed. She has only a small time on this earth. I am noit ready to have her die. I will miss her terribly. Please get an (annual) ultrasound of the abdomen and a biopsy. These small things cannot hurt, and may save you from agony over what you could have done but did not.
Our Golden going through same thing!Started in July,a drop of blood here and there every few days.It then became more frequent & accompanied by descharge from 1 nostril.Vet put him on prednisone and antibiotics & said it was probably allergies and secondary infection. The meds stopped blood/discharge,but as soon as meds were done, started right back again! Xrays/blood tests show no cancer signs.Now horrible snorting sounds, constant discharge,meds doing nothing.Vet found elevated bacteria, but no antibiotic working.Referred to specialist…very worried!
I have an 11 1/2 year old that is having the same problems, right side above his eye there is a lump and swelling around his eye for 2 months..xrays, blood work no explanation, goes away on its own for 4 months then comes back..painful to yawn, eat hard food, or play with his toys. Developed bloody nose from right nostril and passed a few clots, now on pain meds and amoxicillan (2nd round of 10 days) and bloody nose better but lump and pain still there…did anyone get answers as to what this is…my vet sure doesn’t know.
Hey there, I read through this blog and thought I should respond. I have a shih tzu and she too snorts especially when she gets excited. I have no doubt that the other dogs listed here have serious medical problems, but I just wanted to put some of you at ease. I have raised several shih tzu’s and all of them have done this snorting at one time or another. I figured that it was allergies, but I was just curious to see if others had the same thing happening with their dogs. Anyway, Mollee is fine. She just does the snorting thing when she gets excited. My dog Rugby also did the snorting, in fact much more often than Mollee. He lived a VERY long life. Just wanted to put you at ease!
I have had several dogs over the years and they have been doing the snorting thing. Some where worse than others and the vet said it is like a reverse sneeze. I have a German Shep now that snorts and her nose bleeds now and then. I am not a vet but I have had many vists to them and paid lots of $$$$ over the years to find out that nothing was wrong. This is just a suggestion and I AM NOT A VET but could it be that dogs like people get allergies, dry nose/bleeds, and respond just like we do to the enviroment.
Just as a closing comment…if anyone has a pet with a serious medical problem or they suspect one they should take there pet to the vet ASAP. If you can not afford it discuss it with your vet. Most will let you make payments or work something out. If they won’t then you need to find another vet that will.
My dog had the snorting problem for awhile… and then yesterday he started bleeding from 1 nostril profusely. We took him to the vet, and they did blood work. His blood work showed that his white cell count was 101k, normal is about 5-7k. Since they ruled out infection because of the lab results, they say that it is leukemia. So I would have blood work done asap… Our boy is unfortunate, we brought him home to live out his life with us because he is happy still… His nose is still bleeding off and on, but as long as we keep him rested he is good. Good luck..
I am stunned to find that this horrible situation is not uncommon. I have a 9 1/2 year old lab/boxer mix, who has always been a feisty, energetic female. She first began making a snorting sound several months ago when walking with her ‘haltie’ collar. She’s been wearing her haltie for years, and while I have no idea if there is a link to the nostril disorder she is exhibiting and the haltie, her very first snorting episode was just after I put it on her for a walk. Gradually her snorting became more frequent, then major trouble breathing began. She was given antibiotics which really seemed to help with her blocked nostrils, as she began draining lots of thick yellow mucus. But stop the antibiotics and back came the symptoms. We followed with xrays and mucus culture and blood test. All negative except for slightly positive for a certain bacteria. Now, after three weeks on new antibiotics, her nose looks horrible, appetite way down and her eyes are now running. The veterinary expense is one thing, of course, but more than that I HATE to keep putting her through the trauma of the vet visits. She needs to anesthetized just to be examined, because she is so terrified of the vet experience. Her quality of life is miserable. I have never had a dog “put down”, but am considering this. I guess I’m looking for moral support, but I would love to receive comments. Weighing this option is agonizing, to say the least.
Rereading my last comment, I realize I left out a huge piece of the story: Gilda has had considerable blood in her mucus. At first she was perfectly willing to let me wipe her nose with a soft hand towel. But now it has become much too sensitive. Her nose hurts. Also, there have been a few instances where she has passed dry blood clots.
If you have active dogs that are outside, be sure you have your vet check for valley fever (coccomycosis), especially if you live in a dry area, or blastomycosis, if you live in the upper midwest. My dog has that, and it affects his nose and causes nosebleeds. If your vet isn’t looking for it, he may not catch it, but it affects the respiratory system, usually beginning at the nose, and can kill a dog. usually affects big dogs that are active outside
had my boxer checked after several visits to vet, for runny nose,stopped-up nose, bloody nose, started out as a allergy to something, that developed into ashma, and that into a sinus infection…
I have a 70 lbs. mixed breed rescue dog that has been with me for 5 years. Early in Dec. he began sneezing and had a runny nose. The discharge was clear but gradualy became a little colored (yellow) so I went to doggy doctor. Long story short, we tried 3 different antibiotics to no effect. After an xray showed more matter on the right side than the left, my vet said that he had either a cancer or a fungus. We went to a specialist and found that he had a fungus in his right nasal passage that had destroyed his fine bones and was working it’s way through to his brain. This is a huge issue and VERY difficult to find and to treat. The testing alone was $2000.00. Who would think that a fungus could be so distructive! We are still working on the cure–but for anyone with similar conditions,ask your vet about FUNGUS!!!
I have a 70 lbs. mixed breed rescue dog that has been with me for 5 years. Early in Dec. he began sneezing and had a runny nose. The discharge was clear but gradualy became a little colored (yellow) so I went to doggy doctor. Long story short, we tried 3 different antibiotics to no effect. After an xray showed more matter on the right side than the left, my vet said that he had either a cancer or a fungus. We went to a specialist and found that he had a fungus in his right nasal passage that had destroyed his fine bones and was working it’s way through to his brain. This is a huge issue and VERY difficult to find and to treat. The testing alone was $2000.00. Who would think that a fungus could be so distructive! We are still working on the cure–but for anyone with similar conditions,ask your vet about FUNGUS!!!
MY DOG STARTED SNORTING AND SOON BLOOD SHOOTS OUT OF HIS NOSTRILS. IT HAS HAPPENED ONCE THE IST DAY , AND 3 TIMES TODAY.I AM WORRIED, I SEE SO MANY COMMENTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM . NONE OF WHICH SEEM TOO GOOD!
MY DOG TUFFY IS ABOUT 8 YEARS OLD . HE HAS NOT BEEN SICK A DAY .. NOT UNTIL KNOW . I CAN NOT AFFORD COSTLY TESTS. SO I AM GOING TO GIVE HIM A SMALL PORTION OF AMOXOCILLIN FOR A HUMAN.. AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. BUT IT LOOKS BLEEK.
My dog was doing the same thing. Sneezing, discharge, etc….he sneezed out a large tick a couple days ago. It was enlarged to the point of possible nasal canal blockage. We still have trouble getting rid of fungus on the nose; any suggestions?
I have a Maltese who is about 9 years old. She currently has a frequent cough, as time goes by it worsens. It’s been about 2-3 months when she began fainting and everyday it gets worse. I’ve noticed she faints and coughs whenever she gets excited, however she doesn’t faint all the time, but she is frequently coughing. I live in Nicaragua and we don’t really have good vets here. Her vet tells me that it is because the dog gets to excited, but im worried that she will pass away. I’ve been reading on the Internet and I believe she has a collapsed trachea, but im not sure and I don’t know how to deal with this. I’ve also noticed that her skin (stomach) has been getting darker. She seems tired all the time and won’t stop coughing. Does anyone have any suggestions; does this have to do with her age? Are there any vitamins I can give her? I believe that her faints are due to respiratory problems which don’t allow the entrance of oxygen to her brain. Please help. Thank you!
My 9 yo Aussie started with a snorting, then slight nosebleed. Vet said it was a tick borne disease, gave antibiotics and prednisone. He got better for a couple of weeks then started again. took him back for x-rays and then the vet scoped him and found a cancer about 1 and 1/2 inches inside his nose. We’re going to Oklahoma State Vet clinic on Monday to have a cat scan and probably surgery on Tuesday. I have to talk to the doctors and find out what his chances are before I put him through the trauma and me the outragous expense. I love this dog dearly, but how can I justify spending thousands of dollars if it’s going to come right back??? I’m so torn about this whole thing.
Also have an Aussie, (first one died last year at 12 of liver cancer – took him in a week). This guy was a rescue we took in 8 years ago – now also 12, started with the “Reverse sneezing”, heavy breathing – always at night. Were told it common as long as there was no blood – next day – blood. Took him to specialist – he has lymphoma and started chemo but now has had 2 nose bleeds (heavy but stopped them selves) in 3 days. Won’t be back to chemo guy until tomorrow for another treatment – but I’m hoping they will solve this first…
Yes, we are heartbroken because we could do NOTHING for our first Aussie so we are trying to give this guy “quality” – I’m waiting for that to happen… large chemo 10 days ago left his listless for days – Dr was away and then the nose bleeding started… now I don’t know if we are dealing with lymphoma AND a nasal tumor. Initially they didn’t want to scope him due to the complexity of the nasal cavity – but we need some help (or a sedative for us)… Good luck to all of you out there.
I have a 4 year old red nose pit and he is the most mild mannered dog and we love him dearly and he has the same symptoms. We went on vacation came home and he was weak on one side with nasal discharge and crusting on the same side as well as eye ddrainage and glands in neck swollen gulf ball size he lost 20 lbs (over 3 months), took him to vet, 3 weeks antibiotics, vet said tic borne disease or CA. The antibiotics helped, the crusting and drainage stopped, the lymp glands went down. 1 week off antibiotics it is all back. Taking him to the vet tomorrow, see what is next. Seems like if it was cancer antibiotics would not help. Any advise would be appreciated.
Was anyone else’s dog’s nose problems accompanied by a bump bewteen the eyes? I have an 8 year old Husky mix who suddenly developed this large lump right between his eyes and has had labored breathing through his left nostril since it started. Took him to the vet who pressed hard on the bump and blood ran out his nostrils. She took a tissue sample out with a needle and is having it checked out, but no answers yet. The lump is painful to the touch for the dog, but otherwise he is his usual self. I fear that it is nasal cancer or perhaps one of these nasty fungi that have been mentioned here. The Vet is talking about doing a scan if the sample doesn’t tell her what it is, but the scan costs $2,000 that I don’t have. I’m praying, but I fear the worst. I am terrified at the idea of putting him down, as he means so much to me. But I cannot afford scans and treatments for cancer. This is just awful. Can anyone tell me if their dog had similar symptoms and what the outcome was?
We have a Lab/Golden Retriever mix, and we’ve had him about 9 years. Every so often in the last couple of years, he would have his snorting/hiccuping when we would arrive home. He used to be an outside dog, until the neighborhood kids would tease him to the point of him breaking his cable. So, needless to say, he goes out onto for a potty-break, or if we are sitting around the fire pit.
Anyway, still on occasion he does the snorting thing, but recently started the clear discharge and nose bleeds. He’s been a bit overweight since he was neutered, but he’s on Pedigree Health Weight dry dog food and is fed only once a day. Anyway, I was recently told that the blood from his nose was due to something wrong with his lungs. I’ve read all of these comments, and truly FEEL for all of you and your pet issues. I’ve written down much info today, and plan on looking these things up. I, too, have little $$ for high vet expenses. Would rather have Dexter live out the remainder of his life in peace with his family, than to know he has little time left before doggy heaven. If there are any vets reading this, please post some information to put all of us pet owners and animal lovers at ease! Thanks1
I have a 12 yr old spaniel/daschund mix. She started doing the reverse sneezing thing about 1 yr ago with yellow discharge. Vet gave her antibiotics, which didn’t help. Thought it might be allergies, but again medication did not help. Vet referred us to a specialist to do a scope up her nose thinking there was a object stuck in there. They found nothing and not tumors etc. It has been over a year and she still has the same issues, constant sneezing, reverse sneezing and thick discharge. Occassionally some blood will mix in, but I think it is just from the irritation of constant sneezing. It is frustrating that no one call tell us what is wrong. Also, our carpet is pretty much ruined from all of the discharge. Not sure what to do.
I have a greyhound who started having nosebleeds (usually only one nostril) over two years ago at the age of 5. I had him scoped and they found nothing except some very inflammed blood vessels. The vet thought it was some sort of allergy and put him on Clavamox which cleared it right up and stopped the sneezing (which was probably causing the bleeding.) Since that first episode, every three to four months, he starts sneezing, which leads to the bleeding and I get another prescription of Clavamox which clears it up. I figured if it was something very serious, I would have known by now and he probably would have other symptoms. One time, rather than put him on Clavamox, I washed all of his bedding and blankets thinking maybe because they had not been washed recently that it could be causing the bleeding. Well, after I washed them, the bleeding and sneezing stopped just as it had with the medicine. That was strange. The last episode he had was in May and he went all summer until last week without bleeding. He’s back on Clavamox and we’ll see how it goes again.
It can be very frustrating to go to the vet and pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars and get no answers. This has happened a couple of times to us with our dog. Websites like this are very helpful. Thanks for all the posts.
Thank you for this…. it really helps. I have an 8 year old shitzu, he is the most laid back and sweetest thing ever. He has always sneezed, ever since he was a puppy. we alway took it as his way of communicating. if he wanted snacks, he would sneeze and go to the pantry, if he wanted to go potty he would sneeze and go to the door. it would get louder if I did not respond right away, almost like yelling. two weeks ago he started waking in up with mucus on the left side of his nose, and two days ago he sneezed so much and often that it sounded like a kazoo… right then the nose bleed started. Yesterday the vet appt. first thing she says is he may have a tumor. She is running test, he has a history of skin and watery eyes allergies. I need to know something. Last night he nosed bled for 4 hours, and he kept sneezing because he wanted something. He is my baby, i don’t know what to do. I going to check with some specialist and wash and clean everything in my house.
I have a 10-12 year old boxer (rescue, not sure of her age) that started having nosebleeds (one side) every few days. After a couple of weeks, blood panel and urine tests were clear. Nosebleed seemed to be going away for about a week then got worse. I was hoping for a foxtail.
They found bone loss in the x-rays of the nose which prompted the vet to do a chest x-ray. They found a sizeable tumor in her chest next to the heart and lung. One lung is also collapsed or filling with fluid. I’m not doing any further testing to determine what the tumor is because she is too fragile for surgery either way. I have no idea how long I have left with her. All I can do is give her as happy a life possible for the time we have left.
Hi,
We have a 15 year old Springer Span/Aussie/Beagle mix, and like most of the comments, after a trip to eastern Washington, she started sneezing, snorting, and then came the yucky discharge, and we took her in to get her teeth cleaned, and then her nose started bleeding and they couldn’t get it to stop. They gave us antibiotics which helped a little but she was still having the bleeding so I took her back to the vet who changed the antibiotics to Keflex and put her on Prednisone. The prednisone made her act crazed, excessively hungry, thirsty, and a little incontinent which she has never had problems with.
I’m thinking perhaps she inhaled foxtail when we went camping but my vet doesn’t have xray equipment so not sure. Maybe it is a fungus. Either way we are very economically short right now so not sure what to do. My husband had stopped giving her the prednisone but kept her on the antibiotic and the gunky discharge has come back, so I’m putting her back on a half pill of Prednisone for now and see if that keeps it at bay. I also may try giving her food with plain yogurt to see if that helps if it is a fungus, or just give her acidopholus pills. Anyway, other than the nose thing she is still very much alive and I would hate to think about putting her to sleep just because of this.
Help!