Dog nose issues

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a 7 month old pit bull mix dog. He is up to date on all vet care (vaccines, worming, heartworm treatment, and flea and tick treatment) and is in wonderful health. He plays normal, eats great, coat is shiny and beautiful, and he is overall a very healthy pup. Lately, over the past 2 days or so, I have noticed he has clear nasal discharge and he sniffles (as a human would if they had a runny nose). When I first got him, at 8 weeks old, he had the same thing but it went away without treatment. He has not had this since he was 8 weeks old. What could this be? Its not cold in the area I live anymore due to the spring. I know distemper and kennel cough can cause a runny nose but he is vaccinated and the nasal discharge is compeltely clear. If this something I should be concerned about or is it maybe a temporary issue? He is on allergy medication (Zyrtec) on the vets advice because he has itched since he was young so I know its not allergies. Any ideas?

ANSWER: Anna,
this kind of runny nose can be from so many things. Allergies in dogs do not manifest this way. This could be anything from a certain type of carpet to smoke or perfumes, etc.

Dogs are also famous for snorting stuff into their noses, since they are sniffing the ground a lot. I wouldn't worry too much about it unless it is copious, or turns yellow or green or he sneezes. If it isn't gone in a week or so you should call the vet about it.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your quick response. Yes, it is just clear and there is no crusting or color of any kind. He had this once when he was a baby so I am curious what it could be. I did miss one day of his Zyrtec, could this have caused it? Maybe his allergies acted up the one day he missed his dose? Now he sniffles like a human would and he also blows outward, when you say sneezes you mean an actual sneeze right? Not like pulling air in and blowing it out? In other words he sniffles in and every once and a while he blows air out. But again, its clear, not that much but alittle discharge, seems to occur more when he is sleeping or at rest (but occurs other times too), and its not crusty or colored in any way, and I have not noticed any actual sneezes just air pulling and pushing. Thanks so much for your help.

Answer
Dogs do not get runny noses from allergies like we do. It could be a physical problem that he has in his turbninates, which are the structures up inside the nasal cavity.

My suggestion is to have your vet take a look at some time or do an ultrasound on his muzzle.