my pug

Question
my pug he sneez aolt and he always stinks from it no matter what time of the year could I give him benadryl for it

Answer

Hi Donna,

You didn't say if your dog has any nasal discharge, and if so the color of the discharge.

It's possible your dog has an upper respiratory tract infections caused by a virus or bacteria. It's also possible your dog has an an inhalant allergy to something in your home. This could be anything from the kind of detergent you use, cigarette smoke, perfumes, fabrics your dog comes in contact with, cleaners you use, or a hundred other things. Sneezing can also be caused by  something tiny stuck in his nose which is irritating, or even a tooth abscesses. Because you say there is a bad smell associated with the sneeze, this doesn't sound like a simple case of occasional sneezing.

If you haven't yet had your dog examined by your vet, that would be the best place to start.  You could give your dog Benadryl, but it would only suppress the problem, not cure it. You should resort to Benadryl after other causes for the sneezing and the smell has been ruled out.

If you are having trouble afford veterinary care, first talk to your regular vet. Ask your veterinarian if he or she will let you work out a payment plan. Many veterinarians are willing to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan so that you do not have to pay the entire cost of veterinary care up front. Another option is to contact your local shelter or Humane Society. Some shelters operate or know of local subsidized veterinary clinics or veterinary assistance programs. If you happen to live within driving distance to veterinary school, check with them to see if they offer discount services to the public. There are two special credit cards to apply for which help with medical bills (including veterinary bills) read about them here:

http://www.carecredit.com
http://www.healthcard.citicards.com

Best of luck,

Patti