Dog With Chronic Sinus Inflammation

by Vickie Swiger
(Mannington, W.V.)

My Coon 6 year old dog has had nasal discharge for months. The veterinarian did a biopsy and a nasal endoscope. The outcome was chronic nasal inflammation. The veterinarian put him on 20 mg steroids. We are now trying to keep it under control.


The medications only relieves some of the symptoms. He is still miserable. He has gained 10 lb. and the only thing he wants to do is eat. I am looking for some other way to help my best friend.

Any help or suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks,

Vickie

Suggestion From Our Vet for Treating Dog Nasal Congestion

Hi Vicki,

It’s hard for me to comment since I don’t have your dog’s complete history, but I can make a couple of observations based on similar cases I’ve had in the past.

Has your dog been treated for nasal mites? These little parasites can be hard to find even during a nasal scoping, so many veterinarians treat any dog they see with unexplained nasal symptoms just to be on the safe side. Nasal mites are usually treated with ivermectin, milbemycin (Interceptor), or selamectin (Revolution) but the doses are different than what appears on the packaging.

If your biggest concerns are the side effects (e.g., ravenous appetite and weight gain) associated with systemic steroid use, you might want to ask your veterinarian if a steroid nasal spray is an option for your dog. These can be very effective, and most dogs learn to tolerate the weird sensation if they are always rewarded with a treat afterwards.

Best of luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM

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Jan 31, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		Dog with chronic nasal and/or coughing
by: Jill

Hi Vicki, my dog had a cough for 3 years. It was a nasty, strangling sounding cough. After 3 vets and a ton of money my dog was about to die. I then remembered how parasites don't always show in blood work or in stool. I went to Tractor Supply and bought some Ivermectin for $4.99. It's only sold for horses so one tube will treat a 1,250 lb horse but you can calculate about what it will take and there are marks on the plunger that will show you. There also seems to be a high margin of error with this medicine because of the way it works. It is not easily absorbed into the mucous lining of the intestines. There is a lot of literature on the internet. My dog was up running around about 8 hours later. I've found other parasites so it's been a bit of a struggle but here we are a month later and he is getting better every day. I have 2 other dogs and 3 cats. We were all infected with parasites. I have been taking it myself. There is a doctor that testified before the Senate named Pierre Kory. I saw him after I had already bought the Ivermectin. He is urging getting this medicine passed to treat humans with covid. Figuring out what parasite he has may help but there are broad spectrum medicines that eliminate several parasites. I don't necessarily recommend it for anyone else, I'm not a doctor or a vet, but I know what it did for my dogs and cats and myself.
Mar 26, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Sinus troubles
by: Krista

My little dog of 3 lbs a Chi also has this problem. My little one has gone through two dental surgeries and nasal flushes. The vet has found that her one nostril is blocked completely. So frustrating! Due to her size treatment is limited and during her last dental she has an anaflactic reaction and had to be assisted in getting air and was on oxygen. Although the nostril is blocked there is discharge from both nostrils and I can smell the infection in it. the muscus is thick at times and creamy yellow, but mostly clear. Has anyone else had this happen and are there any things people have done to help their pet ?
Mar 15, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Sinus Infections
by: Helen Kotur

As so many people on this list, I also have a problem with my dogs sinuses.... for past 2 years, LucyLu my coon dog, she is 14 years old, had a so severe sinus infection that she is chocking and the discharge from her nose is green/gray then it turns to yellow/green... our vet has tried so many different antibiotic and then I notices she smells and it turns out she had a yeast infection, so beck on another pill for yeast but when we talk about different approach he did not agree on giving her any more steroids She is miserable and so am I but after all those tries and errors I am at the end of my rope... with all those medications she has gained a lot of weight, but now she refuses to go for a walk, thank goodness we have a huge back yard... 4 acres so she can walk but she only goes out to relieve herself and that is all... her white count is a bit elevated and thyroid is low but that is all I believe arthritis has something to do with her blood ... so what can I do? please tell me... I am going to start giving her some Thyme, L-lysine (I am giving her coconut oil and fish oil, antihistamine) vet did not recommend anti-b for a certain period of time... so please help... thank you

Editor Comment



I'm truly sorry to hear about LucyLu's situation. I understand this must be a stressful and frustrating time for both of you. However, please bear in mind that only a Vet with an in-person examination is qualified to provide guidance. That said, here are a few thoughts:

It sounds like your current veterinarian has already tried a variety of treatments, and this may be a complex case.

Recommendation:

Consider a Second Opinion: I know this sounds obvious, but if you're unsatisfied with the current treatment plan, seeking a second opinion from another veterinarian, especially one that specializes in internal medicine or a veterinary specialist in chronic sinus issues, could be beneficial. They may have alternative approaches or additional diagnostic tools to pinpoint the underlying cause.

Diet and Weight Management: Talk to a veterinarian about a suitable diet to help manage LucyLu's weight, given her medication history and current reluctance to exercise.

Supportive Care at Home: Continue the supportive care you've been providing, such as the fish oil and coconut oil, as long as your veterinarian approves. The addition of new supplements like Thyme and L-lysine should be discussed with a veterinary professional, as they may interact with other medications or have unforeseen effects.

Regular Veterinary Follow-up: Continue to maintain regular communication and follow-ups with your veterinarian to monitor LucyLu's progress and make necessary adjustments to her treatment plan.

Pain Management: If arthritis is suspected, discuss with a veterinarian the options for pain management that may help improve LucyLu's mobility and quality of life.

It might also be beneficial to consult with a veterinary behaviorist to explore whether LucyLu's reluctance to go for walks may be due to discomfort, anxiety, or another behavioral issue.

I sincerely hope these suggestions provide some guidance and that LucyLu's situation improves soon. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian for the most accurate advice tailored to her specific condition.

Jeff
Editor and Publisher
Dog Health Guide

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