Dog Suddenly Sneezing? Rocky’s Unusual Case
If your dog suddenly starts sneezing repeatedly after a walk, they may have something irritating their nose. In some cases, a grass seed, small stick or piece of plant material may have become lodged inside the nasal passage.
This is what happened to Rocky, who came to Live Well Vets after developing frequent sneezing fits and constantly licking his nose. Our veterinary team discovered that a 3 cm stick had become lodged inside his right nostril.
Rocky’s Sudden Sneezing Fits
Rocky’s symptoms began during a walk a couple of days before his appointment. His owners noticed that he had suddenly started sneezing repeatedly and licking his nose more than usual.
The sneezing fits became increasingly frequent, although Rocky was otherwise bright and well. He was eating and drinking normally and had no coughing or vomiting.
However, his owners also noticed that he would not let them look near the right side of his nose or mouth. This was unusual for Rocky and suggested that the area was uncomfortable.
Sudden, repeated sneezing can sometimes be caused by irritation inside a dog’s nose. When the symptoms begin during or shortly after a walk, one possible cause is a nasal foreign body.
Signs That Something May Be Stuck in a Dog’s Nose
Dogs explore the world using their noses and will often sniff through grass, hedgerows, soil and undergrowth. Occasionally, small objects can enter a nostril and become lodged inside the nasal passage.
Possible signs of a nasal foreign body in a dog include:
- sudden or repeated sneezing fits
- licking or rubbing the nose
- pawing at the face
- discomfort on one side of the nose
- discharge from one nostril
- mild bleeding from the nose
- sensitivity around the nose or mouth
Not every dog that sneezes has something stuck in their nose. Sneezing can also be caused by dust, pollen, respiratory infections, dental problems or inflammation. However, symptoms that start suddenly, affect one side or continue to worsen should be checked by a vet.
Examining Rocky’s Nose
When Rocky arrived at Live Well Vets, the veterinary team carried out a full clinical examination.
His eyes, ears, heart and lymph nodes appeared normal. However, he was clearly uncomfortable when the right side of his nose was examined.
Because the inside of a dog’s nasal passage can be difficult to examine while they are awake, Rocky was gently sedated. This allowed the team to investigate the area safely and comfortably without causing him unnecessary stress.
Using an otoscope to look inside the nostril, the team could see the end of something unusual.
A 3 cm Stick Lodged Inside Rocky’s Nose
The object was carefully grasped using surgical forceps and gently removed from Rocky’s nasal passage.
It turned out to be a 3 cm stick.
The lining of Rocky’s nose was slightly inflamed and there was a small amount of bleeding after the object was removed. This was expected because the stick had been rubbing against the sensitive tissue inside his nose.
Rocky received anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the swelling and help keep him comfortable. His owners were advised that he might continue sneezing occasionally for a few days while the irritation settled.
Thankfully, Rocky recovered quickly and was soon back to his normal self.
What Can Become Lodged in a Dog’s Nose?
Several types of outdoor material can potentially enter a dog’s nostril while they are sniffing or exploring, including:
- grass seeds
- small sticks or twigs
- leaves and plant material
- soil, grit or sand
- other small pieces of debris
Grass seeds can be particularly troublesome because their pointed shape may allow them to travel further into the nasal passage.
An object may not always be visible from the outside. Even if you cannot see anything inside your dog’s nostril, repeated sneezing, pawing at the nose or one-sided discharge may still indicate a problem.
Do not try to investigate the nostril using tweezers, fingers or another object. This could push the foreign material deeper into the nose or damage the nasal lining.
When Should Sneezing Be Checked by a Vet?
Occasional sneezing is not always a cause for concern. Dogs may sneeze because of dust, strong smells, excitement or minor irritation.
Contact your vet if the sneezing:
- begins suddenly and happens repeatedly
- continues after a walk
- becomes more frequent
- is accompanied by pawing or rubbing at the nose
- affects one side of the nose
- causes discharge or bleeding
- appears to be causing pain or distress
Difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding or significant distress requires urgent veterinary attention.
Advanced Investigations for Nasal Problems
In Rocky’s case, the stick could be seen using an otoscope and removed immediately.
Some nasal foreign bodies sit further inside the nasal cavity or sinuses, where they cannot be seen using standard examination equipment. Persistent sneezing can also have causes other than a foreign object.
Further investigation may therefore involve rhinoscopy, which uses a small camera to examine the nasal passage, or advanced imaging such as a CT scan.
Live Well Vets has an in-house CT scanner at our Caerphilly practice for dogs, cats and exotic pets. CT scanning produces detailed images of the nose, sinuses, head, spine, joints and internal organs.
This allows our team to investigate more complex problems without pets necessarily needing to travel to a distant referral hospital.
Experience Within our Veterinary Team
Rocky’s case was managed by Rhian Nicholls BVSc MRCVS, one of the veterinary surgeons at Live Well Vets.
Rhian has more than 12 years of experience working in veterinary practice and has a broad skill set across medicine and surgery. She regularly manages complex medical conditions, performs routine and advanced surgical procedures and has a particular interest in ophthalmology.
Rhian also has extensive experience in anaesthesia across a range of risk levels. This is particularly valuable when pets require sedation or anaesthesia for a safe and thorough investigation.
She works alongside a large and experienced veterinary team, enabling Live Well Vets to manage a wide range of medical, surgical and diagnostic cases at first-opinion level.
Is Your Dog Suddenly Sneezing or Pawing at Their Nose?
If your dog has suddenly started sneezing repeatedly, pawing at their face or showing discomfort around their nose, contact your nearest Live Well Vets practice for advice.
Our veterinary team can examine your dog, investigate possible causes and recommend the most appropriate next step. Our facilities include digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house laboratories and CT scanning at our Caerphilly practice.
Live Well Vets is an independent veterinary practice with locations in Caerphilly, Llantrisant and Whitchurch, Cardiff.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my dog suddenly sneezing repeatedly?
Sudden sneezing can be caused by irritation inside the nose. One possible cause is a foreign object such as a grass seed, small stick or plant material, particularly if the symptoms begin during or after a walk.
Can a vet remove something stuck in a dog’s nose?
Yes. A visible foreign body may be removed under sedation using specialist instruments. If the object is deeper inside the nasal passage, rhinoscopy or CT scanning may be needed.
Will something stuck in my dog’s nose come out on its own?
Small particles may sometimes be expelled through sneezing, but a lodged object can cause continued irritation, inflammation or infection. Persistent symptoms should be examined by a vet.
Do Live Well Vets treat nasal foreign bodies?
Yes. Our veterinary team investigates and treats foreign bodies in dogs and cats at our practices in Caerphilly, Llantrisant and Whitchurch.
