Although us humans are inclined to have a sniffle or two during the winter months, seeing your beloved Chihuahua with a runny nose can be a lot more alarming. This is particularly true given that Chihuahuas are inclined to have breathing issues, so seeing a runny nose can make owners think there’s a serious health issue.
However, this isn’t always the case. Yes, Chihuahuas can get congested with cold and suffer with sinus infections, but a runny nose doesn’t always mean something bad. Whilst it is true that the generations of breeding have made Chihuahuas’ nasal passages less than ideal, don’t be panicked by a runny nose… and here’s why:
Do Chihuahuas have runny noses? Why does my Chihuahua have a runny nose? Chihuahuas do have runny noses, and it’s normal for a small amount of clear snot to be coming from their nose most of the time. Due to the nature of a Chihuahua nose, things like snot are a lot more visible compared to other dog breeds.
When it comes to your Chihuahua’s runny nose, it is important to establish what is normal for them, as every individual animal has a slightly different definition of normal. If your Chihuahua is producing a noticeably larger amount of snot than before, or it changes colour to yellow or green, you should take stock of those abnormalities and take them to see a vet.
Can Chihuahuas get sinus infections? Chihuahuas can get sinus infections more than other breeds due to the way in which their nasal passages and skulls are formed.
The unique look of Chihuahuas has been bred extensively down the years but does mean they can suffer with breathing issues and nasal / sinus infections more than other breeds might.
The causes and treatments for Chihuahua runny noses The medical term for runny noses in dogs is nasal discharge, and this refers not just to snot, but also blood, fluid and anything else that comes out of your Chihuahua’s nose.
There are many reasons why your Chihuahua may have a runny nose or your Chihuahua sounds congested, and whilst some can be treated at home yourself, others need urgent medical attention from your vet.
This makes it important that you distinguish between the different reasons why your Chihuahua may have a runny nose, with some of the most common reasons being listed below.
1. Allergies Just like humans, Chihuahuas can suffer from allergies too. It is one of the most common reasons behind an abnormally runny nose.
Chihuahuas can be allergic to all kinds of things, with some examples including pollen, chemicals, food and even our shed human skin (called dander)! But this list is far from exhaustive.
Symptoms If a Chihuahua is suffering from allergies, they may display some of the following symptoms:
Lots of clear nasal discharge. Eye discharge. Itchiness. Nose bleeds. Coughing. Struggling to breathe. Treatment If your vet suspects your Chihuahua has an allergy, they will perform an allergy test in order to confirm it. Once the allergy is confirmed, you will be able to reduce allergic reactions by avoiding the allergy trigger altogether.
However, if this isn’t possible, your vet can prescribe antihistamines, steroids and immunosuppressants amongst other kinds of medication.
Handy Hint: Many Chihuahuas will have allergies to certain foods. There are some foods that will even be poisonous to them, here’s the list of bad foods.
2. Nasal blockages If the nasal discharge is just coming from one nostril, this could mean that there is a foreign object (like a piece of grit or a blade of grass) partly blocking your Chihuahua’s nasal passage.
Symptoms As well as this isolated nasal discharge, other common signs of a blockage in the nose include nosebleeds, sneezing and pawing at the nose.
Treatment Here, you have a choice of either treating the blockage at home or at the vets. If you can see the cause of the blockage and have a steady hand, you can probably remove the blockage yourself with tweezers.
However, if your Chihuahua is fidgety or the cause of the blockage isn’t immediately visible, it is probably best to take them to the vets. The inside of the nose is incredibly sensitive, so even a small cut could lead to a lot of bleeding.
If you take your Chihuahua to the vets, they’ll be sedated, have the source of the blockage removed and be prescribed antibiotics to avoid infection.
3. Polyps and tumours Some Chihuahuas have excessive nasal discharge as a result of growths in their nose. Nasal polyps are the medical term for overgrown mucus-producing glands, whilst nasal tumours, which present similar symptoms, can be benign or cancerous.
Symptoms If you suspect your Chihuahua has growths in the nose, look out for the following symptoms:
Blood, pus and mucus being discharged from the nose. A decreased appetite. A bulge on the side of the nose that wasn’t there before. Noisy breathing. Treatment Of course, if you see any kind of growth on your Chihuahua, it is paramount that you take them to the vets to be assessed.
Polyps and benign nasal tumours are often treated with surgery. Given the fact that polyps tend to reappear, your Chihuahua may need multiple bouts of surgery.
Unfortunately, whilst cancerous nasal tumours can be treated with radiation, they are inoperable and don’t have a great prognosis.
Handy Hint: I’ve written the complete guide to taking care of your Chihuahua in cold weather, as they can be very intolerant to cold winter days and nights.
4. Nasal and sinus infections Chihuahuas can also catch infections. This may be from other animals or from coming into contact with something unsavoury outside. They can catch bacterial, fungal or viral infections.
Symptoms Although symptoms may vary based on the type of infection, some of the most common symptoms of an infection in your Chihuahua include:
Green or yellow mucus or pus being discharged from their nose, which is often followed by coughing and choking. Nose bleeds. A pungent and unusual odor. Treatment Depending on the type of infection, your vet’s treatment plan may vary.
If your Chihuahua is suffering from a fungal infection, your vet will prescribe you specialist anti-fungal drugs, whereas if your Chihuahua has a bacterial infection, your vet will put them on a course of antibiotics.
If your Chihuahua ends up having frequent infections (which is often the result of a poor immune system, a lack of vaccinations or an underlying illness), your vet may decide that the best course of action is an operation.
Conclusion Although your Chihuahua may experience breathing complications due to their nose shape, their noses oftentimes work just as well as any other dog breed, so it’s important not to panic if you see them experiencing nasal discharge.
However, it is also important to trust your judgement if you think something is not right about the nasal discharge or runny nose.
It may be a different consistency, amount or colour than you’re used to or be one of many unusual symptoms your Chihuahua is experiencing at that time.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you aren’t fully confident about the cause of your Chihuahua’s runny nose it is important to take them to the vets. With their help, your Chihuahua will be back to their old selves in no time!
You might also like… If you are a Chihuahua owner then here are a few other things to look out for in your pup:
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