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My Dog Has a Runny Nose with Green Mucus

Josie F. Turner
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. Updated: March 22, 2020
My Dog Has a Runny Nose with Green Mucus
Dogs

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A runny nose for a dog can mean something as small as being excited to see you. However, it can be a serious health concern when their mucus is thick, green, yellow or smelly. If you've observed that your dog has a runny nose with green mucus, continue reading to find out the common causes.

This AnimalWised article about dogs who have a runny nose with green mucus will explain the causes, what else might be wrong with your dog, and what you can do to prevent it.

You may also be interested in: Why Is My Dog Snoring?

Infections

One of the most common causes of your dog having green mucus coming from their nose is the presence of an infection. These can be bacterial, fungal or viral infections and may have many origins. If the dog not only has green snot coming from its nose, but also presents with sneezing, loss of appetite and/or diarrhea, it is likely an infection that will require veterinary attention.

There may also be gagging and nausea. This is due to the dog swallowing the secretions, which can be very thick. If it is a bacterial infection, the vet will prescribe antibiotics. If it the mucus derives from a fungal infection then antifungal medication will be implemented. Both may last as long as 6 - 8 weeks depending on the extent of the infection. Supportive treatment will be used in the case of viral infections. This means that the symptoms will be treated until the infection dies down. Antibiotics will also likely be used to prevent a concurrent bacterial infection.

While our pet is recovering, we should encourage them to eat and drink. This is because infections can cause a dog to lose appetite as well as become dehydrated. Wet food (as opposed to dry food), cooked meats and rice with broth might help your dog to recover better. We need to also ensure they are kept in a warm enough environment, away from draughts and kept dry. We will need to reduce their walking as they will likely not have the energy and the exposure can stunt their recuperation. Observing the correct medication plan and keeping an eye out for worsening symptoms will also mean they will better recover.

Depending on their location, these infections could be as a result of rhinitis or sinusitis. The nasal cavity extends into the frontal and maxillary sinuses, meaning the infection can spread. Nasal inflammations are known as rhinitis and sinus inflammations are sinusitis. In younger dogs, both types of infections occur when there has been damage caused to the nasal cavity mucosa from a previous infection, foreign bodies or trauma.

Canine distemper can also lead to secondary bacterial rhinitis. In older dogs, it is common for rhinitis and sinusitis to be caused by tumors or infections in the mouth. Both disorders require veterinary assistance and are diagnosed with x-rays, cultures, endoscopies or biopsies. If the infections become chronic, surgery may be a necessary recourse.

My Dog Has a Runny Nose with Green Mucus - Infections

Unilateral secretion

Sometimes we can see that the secretion of green mucus come from both nostrils, known as a bilateral secretion. A unilateral secretion is that which comes from only one nostril and may be due to one of the following causes:

  • Oronasal fistula: this may have a congenital origin, i.e. from birth, such as a cleft palate. It may also be acquired from something like an infected tooth. In these cases, the food which a dog ingests can go into nasal passages and cause unilateral discharge and/or sneezing. This occurs especially when eating. The treatment requires surgical intervention. When you adopt your dog, a vet should provide a thorough check-up to check the overall health of the dog. This should include checking their mouth and sinuses. Checking this at an early stage is a key factor in preventing fistulas occurring later in life.
  • Foreign bodies: dogs can accidentally (or even intentionally) suck up certain elements such as leaves, seeds, spikes, splinters and many other objects. Foxtails are a particularly worrisome foreign body as they can latch on to the nose tenaciously. In addition to green mucus, we may see that a dog sneezes violently, rubs their nose constantly or even has a hemorrhage. If the foreign body is lodged for days, the nasal discharge will likely be very thick. If we can see the object, it may be removable with tweezers. If we don't see it clearly, we should not try to manipulate the nasal passage as it can result in the object going in even further. In this case, the vet will be in charge of the extraction. It will likely be under sedation and antibiotics may also be prescribed to take care of the infection.
  • Polyps: polyps are growths in the nasal mucosa which are not cancerous. They produce, in addition to mucus secretions, hemorrhages and obstructions of the air passage. They can be removed, but have the potential to develop again.
  • Tumors: most often these appear in older dogs. They may be benign or malignant, but the symptoms for both may be secretion hemorrhage and sneezing. If they are large enough, they can deform the shape of the dog's face. It can even make the eye protrude. They can be removed, but the prognosis depends on the type of tumor present.
My Dog Has a Runny Nose with Green Mucus - Unilateral secretion

Preventing green mucus in a dog's nose

The best way to prevent secretions from a dog's nose is to maintain their overall health. This means ensuring they stay away from possible infectious material, but is also means taking a more holistic approach. This will include:

  • Vaccinations: keeping your dog on their vaccination schedule means their immune system is up to standard and they can better fight infection.
  • Deworming: similar to vaccinations, deworming means parasites will stay away and reduce the chance of infections which can lead to nasal discharge.
  • Diet: keeping your dog on a healthy diet which provides for mind and body with the right nutrition also means they can stay healthy for longer.
  • Exercise: taking them for walks and ensuring they are fighting fit will help to prevent the onset of infections.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to My Dog Has a Runny Nose with Green Mucus, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.

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3 comments
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gilda E
good article. I will go to my vet
Administrador AnimalWised
We hope your dog is OK!
pauline westgarth
my dog still has for over a year now RHINISITUS +snotty nose the vet cannot find an answer shall I take him to another vet
Heather
Pauline ... I would DEFINITELY try another veterinarian!!! A year is unheard of in our field. Good luck to you!
Joyce Weber
Will Goldenseal pellets help with green nasal discharge?
pauline westgarth
can I use the above Goldenseal pellets with steroids+antihistimines
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Pauline,

There are no contraindications we can see with goldenseal and steroids and/or antihistamines. However, part of the reason for this is that there are insufficient studies on using this herb therapeutically. Its efficacy is in question and so too is its safety. There is reliable evidence to suggest toxicity in large doses and the state of California has even created a proposal to consider it a carcinogen.

While the dosage of goldenseal would have to be high to be considered carcinogenic, the issue of toxicity is not negligible. Moreover, with little discernible benefit, it is not recommended to use this either as a main therapy or supplement. Simply put, there is not enough evidence to suggest goldenseal will help your dog and the risk of toxicity, however large or small, means it is best avoided.
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