Many bulldog owners are very particular about their dog’s nose .However it is essential to make a clear distinction between what a wet nose and a runny nose means for the health of your dog.. While a runny nose is not as frequent an occurrence in dogs as it is in human children, it can occur for a varied number of reasons.

The most common reasons for nasal secretions which occur seasonally in dogs is likely an allergic reaction in association to pollens. However rhinitis or sinusitis occurs year round and is likely caused by certain food, drugs, chemicals,smoke, irritant gasses, dust mites and or spores.

Many people believe, for example, that if their dog’s nose is warm or dry by itself, it means that their dog is sick. However, this has been repeatedly proven to be nothing more than a myth. In fact, normal healthy noses can go from wet and cool to warm and dry, and back again, without it having to signify the presence of an illness.

So, if your four-legged friend is exhibiting the usual signs and symptoms of a runny nose, it is important to investigate the cause of it and treat it..

Bull Dogs Often Experience Respiratory Problems:

A dog’s nasal cavity is one of its most sensitive body parts, and it bleeds quite quickly if it undergoes even light trauma. Additionally, some dog breeds like the bulldog, Pekingese, Chow Chow, and Pug, are especially susceptible to nasal and respiratory problems.

These breeds are known as brachycephalic dogs, and they owe their vulnerability to respiratory issues to their broad skulls and short snouts. As such, brachycephalic breeds will often suffer from mouth breathing, snorting, snoring, and a host of more severe respiratory symptoms that worsen with age.

These respiratory symptoms are due to innate deformities in the dog’s cranial structures. These deformities include nasal stenosis, elongation of the palate, and eversion of the laryngeal ventricles.

While nasal stenosis and elongation of the soft palate are congenital conditions, eversion of the laryngeal ventricles is acquired over time. It is important to note that these issues rarely occur individually, and most dogs belonging to brachycephalic breeds suffer from multiple symptoms at once.

Nasal Stenosis: Dogs that suffer from nasal stenosis have abnormally small nostrils. Additionally, the nasal cartilage is soft and flexible, which causes significant levels of obstruction during the cycle of inhalation and exhalation.

Nasal stenosis is one of the principal reasons why so many bulldogs breathe through their mouth so frequently. If you notice your dog breathes through its mouth excessively and has a runny nose accompanied by abnormal breathing noises, it may be suffering from nasal stenosis.

Nasal stenosis can cause developmental and growth issues in puppies, so it is imperative to seek the appropriate treatment. It is crucial to correct nasal stenosis before your dog is six months old because after that point, their cartilage hardens, and surgery becomes more difficult.

Elongation Of The Soft Palate: The soft palate is a mucous membrane found in the back of the mouth whose primary job is to close the nasopharynx during the process of swallowing. This means that an elongated soft palate, one that extends past the epiglottis, causes a pronounced alteration of the process of swallowing, and thus partially obstructing the airways.

Symptoms of an elongated soft palate include snorting, runny nose, snoring, wheezing, gasping, retching, gagging, etc. Thankfully, this condition can be corrected through surgery, and the results are typically favorable if the procedure is performed before the problem begins to affect the larynx.

If your bulldog suffers from an elongated soft palate, seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible.

Eversion Of The Laryngeal Ventricles: The laryngeal ventricles are small pockets that project into the larynx. In dogs that suffer from a prolonged respiratory obstruction, they can enlarge and flip inside out, further narrowing the airway.

Once your dog’s laryngeal ventricles have everted inside out, the only way to correct the issue is to remove them altogether. Most dogs suffering from everted laryngeal ventricles also suffer from an elongated soft palate, so both surgeries are performed at the same time.

My Dog ​​has Something Stuck In His Nose:

Sometimes your dog’s nasal congestion is caused by nothing more than a foreign object becoming stuck inside their nose.

A multitude of foreign bodies can lodge in your dog’s nose, such as leaves, seeds, pebbles, small toys, wood chips, etc.

If you notice your bulldog sneezing violently and continuously, it may have something stuck up its nose. It is important that you act quickly because your dog may rub their nose bloody if you leave them unattended.

While a foreign object stuck in your dog’s nose may be visible, removal of said object is best performed at a veterinary office by a trained professional with sterile forceps. This is especially true if the object is lodged far back in your dog’s nose. Attempting to remove a lodged object from far back in your dog’s airways without sedatives or anesthesia may result in injuries to you or your dog.

In some cases, your veterinarian will choose to prescribe an antibiotic medication after the procedure is complete in order to prevent the development of a secondary bacterial infection.

How to Treat My Dog’s Nose:

If your bulldog has a runny nose and you have ruled out any of the reasons as mentioned above, you can follow the tips below to decongest it:

1. Keep the living area clean and free of dust particles and foreign matters that can be inhaled by your little friend
2. One of the most natural and most straightforward methods to clear a dog’s stuffy or runny nose is to put them in a room with a humidifier. The extra moisture will help to widen your dog’s airways and allow it to breathe more easily. You can also use a diffuser with plain water. Never use essential oils, like Eucalyptus, peppermint or Lavender, all of which are poisonous to dogs. Please research any essential oil before use on pets
3. If you don’t have access to a humidifier, you can take an extra long, hot shower and  bring them into the steamy bathroom with you.Chances are, your loyal companion  likely follows you into the bathroom anyway, so just close the door and begin your bullies steam bat and let the healing begin
4. Some nasal spray decongestants meant for human use can be safely used to decongest your dog’s nose effectively and bring temporary relief.. However, you must clear their use with a veterinary doctor in order to eliminate the risk of unwanted side effects. In case nasal decongestants are not readily available, you may use a saline spray to achieve the same results
5. There is evidence that over-the-counter allergy medication can help to reduce your dog’s stuffy or runny nose. Again, it is imperative to consult with your veterinarian to ensure correct dosage before administering any drugs to your dog as an overdose can kill pets
6. A plate of hot food or a nice hot bowl of chicken broth can also do wonders to unclog your dog’s congested nose. Following up with a light massage to your dogs nose can help diminish inflammation and open up their airways

When a human has a runny nose, one of the easiest ways to clear it is to blow it. While your bulldog won’t be able to blow its nose, you sure can help treat it by using a warm damp cloth, and gently wiping its nose and eyes clear of the accumulated mucus and nasal discharge.

Besides being extraordinarily unsightly and making your dog look dirty, tear stains can also be a sign of a more insidious condition. Therefore, it is imperative that we learn as much as possible about this phenomenon.

Today we will teach you why dogs, and especially bulldogs, suffer from tear stains. We will also show you a few tips and tricks relating to their treatment and removal.

Why Do My Bulldog’s Tears Stain?

Your Bulldog’s tears contain large quantities of porphyrins, which are a type of molecule that is rich in iron. For example, the Heme molecule in Hemoglobin is a porphyrin that gives blood its characteristically deep red color. That is why your dog’s tears are so prone to staining its face.

Genetics, a variety of environmental factors, and your dog’s overall state of health can influence to a significant degree the number of porphyrins your pet generates and secretes through their lacrimal secretions. When there is an abundance of tears, the porphyrins they contain can settle on your pet’s coat, and stain it with rust-colored streaks.

Because several medical conditions can be the cause of your dog’s excessive tear production, it is crucial that they be discarded first.

Medical Reasons For Excessive Tear Production

Unfortunately, there are a number of medical conditions that may be to blame for your Bulldog’s excessive tears. Therefore, if your Bulldog has tear stains, you will have to do some ruling out. Below you will find the most common medical causes behind excessive tear production in dogs.

Entropion: Entropion is a medical term used to describe a condition in which the edge of your dog’s eyelid folds inwards toward the surface of the eye. Entropion causes moderate to severe irritation, and, over time, it may even cause ulceration and scarring of the cornea.

Trichiasis: Trichiasis is a common eye disease that is characterized by an alteration of the eyelashes, which grow abnormally towards the eye. Trichiasis causes excessive irritation, tearing, and even corneal ulcers.

Ectropion: Ectropion is a medical term used when the edge of one of the eyelids, most often the lower eyelid, grows outwards in the opposite direction to the surface of the eye. Ectropion causes a portion of the conjunctiva of the eye to become perpetually exposed, which in turn causes discomfort and excessive tearing.

If any of these three conditions is not the cause behind your dog’s excessive tearing, you may have to watch out for the signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis, glaucoma, or any number of allergic reactions.

Finally, be mindful that acute injuries, such as when a foreign object gets stuck in your pet’s eye, could also be the cause of eye irritation and tearing.

Some Breeds Have Deficient Tear Drainage

Tear stains may also be caused by inadequate tear drainage, which is quite common in what are known as brachycephalic breeds. These are breeds that have a flat face and short nose, i.e., Boxers, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Bulldogs.

Eyelid problems are pervasive in these breeds, and many of them have a hard time closing their eyes completely shut. This can cause dryness and irritation, which causes excessive tearing as the body tries to keep the eyes moist and well-lubricated.

When this happens, a large number of your dog’s tears will overflow onto their face instead of being channeled into the tear ducts.

If you notice your dog is suffering from excessive tear production, it is worth consulting with a veterinary ophthalmologist. These veterinary specialists have the training, experience, and specialized equipment to provide the best possible treatment.

Excessive Tearing May Cause Infections

Excessive tearing is likely to cause significant discomfort for your pet. Not to mention that it makes your pet much more susceptible to eye infections.

Tips to Eliminate and Treat Tear Stains

Some dogs are more prone to tear staining than others, even amongst the same breed. So if your dog is victim to tear stains try the following tips to not only treat but avoid tear stains.:

• One of the simplest and most effective methods of eliminating tear stains is to simply wipe your dog’s face clean with a warm, damp cloth at least twice a day. This will help you remove the porphyrin-rich tears and prevent the formation of stains

• Another approach is to ensure that your dog consumes a balanced diet suitable for its species and that it drinks pure, filtered water. This will prevent an excess of iron and other mineral impurities that contribute to the formation of tear stains

• Keep in mind that many commercial pet foods, while meeting the minimum nutritional requirements, contain large amounts of iron, and over time, can indirectly lead to the formation of tear stains

• Create a barrier around your dog’s eyes to prevent their tears from staining their fur in the first place. A simple layer of baby powder or cornstarch will absorb most of the oily compounds found within your dog’s tears before they stain

Conclusions

By keeping your bulldog’s  face clean, feeding it a healthy diet, and treating any structural or infectious conditions that affect their eyes, you can keep tear stains to a minimum. Whatever you do, don’t try to remove tear stains with harsh chemical products. The use of these chemical products can actually cause even more irritation and lead to even more excessive production of tears.