Sneezing in dogs and cats

The owners should be questioned carefully concerning the possible recent exposure of the pet to foreign bodies (e.g., rooting in the ground, running through grassy fields), powders, aerosols, or, in cats, exposure to new cats or kittens. Sneezing is an acute phenomenom that often subsides with time. A foreign body should not be excluded from the differential diagnoses just because the sneezing subsides. In the dog, a history of acute sneezing followed by the development of a nasal discharge is suggestive of a foreign body.
Other findings may help to narrow the list of differential diagnoses. Dogs with foreign bodies may paw at their nose. Foreign bodies are typically associated with unilateral, mucopurulent nasal discharge, although serous or serosanguineous discharge may be present initially. Foreign bodies in the nasopharynx may cause gagging, retching, or reverse sneezing. The nasal discharge associated with reactions to aerosols, powders, or other inhaled irritants is usually bilateral and serous in nature. In cats, other clinical signs supportive of a diagnosis of upper respiratory infection, such as conjonctivitis and fever, may be present, as well as a history of exposure to other cats and kittens.
Dogs in with acute, paroxysmal sneezing develops should undergo prompt rhinoscopic examination. With time, foreign material may become covered with mucus or migrate deeper into the nasal passages, and any delay in performing rhinoscopy may interfere with the identification and removal of the the foreign bodies. Nasal mites are also identified rhinoscopically. In contrast, cats sneeze more often as a result of acute viral infection rather than foreign body. Immediate rhinoscopic examination is not indicated unless there has been known exposure to a foreign body or the history and physical examination findings do not support a diagnosis of viral upper respiratory infection.
We would love to hear your pet's story. Please add a comment.
MORE VETERINARY ARTICLES
-
A common cause of nutritional problems in dogs and cats is overfeeding or feeding inappropriate foods. Overfeeding can lead to rapid growth ...
-
Much of the popularity of the Dachshund probably relates to its moderate level of reactivity, which is most unusual in tiny dogs, coupled wi...
-
Tapeworms in dogs symptoms and treatment Several tapeworms infect dogs , the most common being Dipylidium caninum . Tapeworms usually have...
-
Oral Pain 1. Fractured bones or teeth. 2. Trauma. 3. Periodontitis or caries (especially cats). 4. Osteomyelitis. 5. Other causes ...
-
Clinical signs of acute renal failure symptoms (ARF) are often nonspecific and include lethargy, depression, anorexia, vomiting , diarrhea...
-
The Rottweiler is one of the largest of the more highly respected guard dogs, the others being the Akita , the Doberman Pinscher , and the G...
-
Canine diabetes symptoms and treatment Canine diabetes is characterized by absolute or relative lack of insulin action and it affects app...
-
It may be the distinctive, colorful personality of the Beagle that so endears it to people. If you ask a child to draw a dog, the drawing wi...
-
Chemotherapy in dogs and cats is primarily indicated for animals with systemic (e.g., lymphoma , leukemias ) or metastatic neoplasms, altho...
-
Dogs are more commonly affected by acute gastritis because of their less discriminating eating habits. Signs usually consist of acute onset...