6 Possible Causes for Your Dog’s Sneezing in Rye, NH

Has your dog been sneezing a lot lately? Are you concerned about what could be causing this symptom? Is sneezing ever a sign of something serious in dogs, or is it simply nothing to worry about?

In the article below we’ll help you learn more about sneezing and your dog, and list some of the most common potential causes of sneezing. When you’ve finished reading, you should know whether your dog needs to see a vet for the issue.

 

Allergies

Allergies are one of the most common causes of sneezing in dogs. Dogs may be allergic to a variety of environmental substances, including pollen, smoke, scents from candles or oils, and more. If your dog has an allergy the sneezing will worsen while exposed to the allergen and shortly after, too.

Dogs with mild allergies may not need to do anything to treat or manage the condition. However, if your dog’s allergies are moderate to severe, you may want to talk with your vet about a good allergy medication for your pet to take regularly.

Asthma

Asthma is surprisingly common in dogs (as well as cats) and may contribute to increased sneezing. Asthma can be easily confused with allergies, especially since allergic reactions and environmental contaminants can make it worse. However, it is not quite the same issue.

Only your vet can diagnose your dog with asthma. If your pet does have asthma, you may need to work with your vet to choose a good method for managing the condition. Some dogs may require steroid injections during particularly severe asthma flare-ups, but this is not always the case.

 

Communication

Many times, dogs sneeze because this is a normal part of their communication! If your dog is sneezing to communicate with you or with another dog, this is nothing to worry about. However, if you’re a first-time dog owner, you may not yet know how to tell the difference between communication sneezing and other types of sneezing.

If your dog’s sneezing accompanies happiness, excitement, or greeting you or other dogs, then it is most likely related to communication. These are all times in which dogs may seem to sneeze a lot. If your dog’s sneezing is not worsening at other times too, then you likely do not have to worry.

 

Dental Health Issue

Dental health problems can lead to sneezing, especially if the issue in your dog’s mouth is close enough to affect the nose as well. Abscesses, inflammation and infection of the gums, rotting or broken teeth, and other similar issues may also cause an increase in sneezing behavior in your pet.

Your vet will need to examine your dog’s mouth thoroughly to diagnose any dental problems. If your pet is diagnosed with a dental issue, your vet will work with you to figure out the right treatment or management. Your dog may need a professional dental cleaning to get started.

Respiratory Infection

A respiratory infection could be the cause of your dog’s sneezing, especially if there are other symptoms related to respiratory problems. Your dog may run a fever, have watery eyes, paw at their ears, or cough in addition to sneezing. All these symptoms indicate respiratory problems.

If you think there’s a chance your dog has a respiratory infection, take her to the regular vet as soon as possible. Your dog will need to be treated with medication to recover from this condition, and your vet will need to make sure she doesn’t have any serious issues like pneumonia, too.

 

Nasal Tumor

Although much less common than the other causes in this article, nasal tumors can occur in dogs and may be the cause of excessive sneezing in some instances. If your dog’s sneezing has slowly worsened over time, a nasal tumor could be the reason.

The good news is that many nasal tumors in dogs are benign. Even those that are cancerous can often be treated in most cases. Only your vet can tell you for sure whether your dog has a nasal tumor and what type of treatment is best for the problem.

 

Conclusion

As you can see, sneezing is often not a life-threatening problem for dogs, but can be a sign of serious problems in some instances. If you suspect your dog may be suffering from a more serious health problem, take her to the vet or emergency vet as soon as possible.

Your vet will work with you to determine the root cause of your dog’s sneezing and figure out the best treatment or management moving forward. With the right diagnosis, you can help your dog get back to their usual self in no time.

 

Please give us a call at (603) 431-8785 or Make An Appointment for any questions regarding your dog’s health.