Question:
My 6-year-old hound/pointer mix has been snorting like she's rapidly taking in air through her nose for about a year or so. She was doing it once or twice a month but recently she's started doing it daily. Yesterday I found drops of bloob on the floor that looked like she had a nosebleed and now she's snorting quite a bit. It happens when she's resting and she woke up about 7 times in the night doing this last night.

I took her to the vet yesterday and was told that she might have banged her head causing the nosebleed but my gut says it's related to the snorting which the vet said to keep an eye on. What am I looking for? I'm worried that by waiting I'm letting a bad situation get worse and I'd like some advice as to what to do.

This doesn't seem to be bothering her - she eats and has energy and plays like she's feeling fine.

Has anyone heard of or experienced this before?

Thanks, Shannon

Answer:
You need to have the dog thoroughly examined to make sure there are no foreign objects (hounds might sniff up something) or tumours etc in the nasal passage.

If there is nothing, then it sounds like what is commonly called "reverse sneezing". My dog frequently gets this too. It's basically spasms in the esophogus and need to be be stopped.

Here is an article on this and how to stop it once it starts. This works for my dog!

"Reverse sneezing"

Answer:
My oldest dog BJ does the snorting thing. It just happens out of the blue, even when he's sleeping it will wake him up. The first time I heard it I just about had a hart attack. I thought he was choking or having problems breathing. it only lasted a few seconds then stoped. I took him to the vet and she couldn't find anything wrong with him and had no idea what would cause it even after blood tests and x-rays. he has never had a bloody nose though. and the snorting only happens about maybe 3 times a month and only for a few seconds each time. The vet told me not to worry about it unless it started happening more often and lasting longer. she thought it could be allergies but we haven't tested for them yet. i know it's not his food because we have changed that several times. if you feel that the blood and snorting are connected i think you should seek another opinion just to make sure. always go with your gut. I hope that helped somewhat. good luck, and if you find out what is causing it let me know.

Answer:
Has your vet recommended using a nasoscope to take alook up the nasal passage to check for a foreign body? (sedation is needed for this). It could be any of the following problems.......

Foreign body (have seen this with grass seed before)
Nasal infection -bacterial or fungal
nasal tumor
Broken blood vessel -secondary to trauma or foreign body ( chronic sneezing would be present)

Is the bleeding from both nostrils or one? If both, check for bleeding anywhere else. I.E Gums.
If gums bleed, get tests for immune mediated problems. (I.E Canine Ehrlichiosis)
Unless there's a possibility of toxidity (rat poison) -straight back to vet for Tx

Good luck, keep your vet informed of any changes in blood quantities and colours.

Answer: