Although us humans are inclined to have a sniffle or two during the winter months, seeing your beloved German Shepherd with a runny nose can be a lot more alarming. This is particularly true given that German Shepherds are inclined to run around more than most breeds which can occasionally lead to respiratory issues. Seeing a runny nose can make owners think there’s a serious health issue.
However, this isn’t always the case. Yes, German Shepherds 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 a runny nose in a German Shepherd is less than ideal, don’t be panicked by it… and here’s why:
Do German Shepherds have runny noses?
Why does my German Shepherd have a runny nose? German Shepherds do have runny noses like all dog breeds, 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 German Shepherd nose, things like snot can be more visible compared to other dog breeds.
When it comes to your German Shepherd’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 German Shepherd 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 German Shepherds get sinus infections?
German Shepherds can get sinus infections and upper respiratory tract infections due to their activity levels (they do calm down eventually). In fact, running around is one of the most common reasons for dogs to develop a runny nose, so check if it’s after a high level of activity.
The causes and treatments for German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd’s nose.
There are many reasons why your German Shepherd may have a runny nose or your German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd may have a runny nose, with some of the most common reasons being listed below.
1. Allergies
Just like humans, German Shepherds can suffer from allergies too. It is one of the most common reasons behind an abnormally runny nose.
German Shepherds 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 German Shepherd is suffering from allergies, they may display some of the following symptoms:
- Lots of clear nasal discharge.
- Eye discharge (sometimes red in color)
- Itchiness.
- Nose bleeds.
- Coughing.
- Struggling to breathe.
Treatment
If your vet suspects your German Shepherd 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.
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 German Shepherd’s nasal passage. It’s common in dogs who like to dig and eat at dirt.
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 German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd 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 German Shepherds 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 German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd, 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 German Shepherd 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. You might need to decide on euthanasia in a few month’s time.
4. Nasal and sinus infections
German Shepherds 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 German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd is suffering from a fungal infection, your vet will prescribe you specialist anti-fungal drugs, whereas if your German Shepherd has a bacterial infection, your vet will put them on a course of antibiotics.
If your German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd may experience a runny nose from time to time 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 German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd’s runny nose it is important to take them to the vets. With their help, your German Shepherd will be back to their old selves in no time!
You might also like…
If you are a German Shepherd owner then here are a few other things to look out for in your pup:
- How to deal with a teething German Shepherd puppy
- Ways to stop your German Shepherd biting
- When your GSD puppy ears will stand up
Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-german-shepherd-animal-meadow-1027235/