Treatment Options for Pets with Nasal Foreign Bodies
The ideal treatment for cases of foreign body inhalation in dogs and cats is the removal of the foreign material. As mentioned, medications designed for primary respiratory signs can help control the symptoms associated with the condition, but unless the foreign body is removed, the signs will most likely persist or will keep recurring despite medications and treatment.
The extent of removal of inhaled foreign materials depends on the size of the object and where it is located along the pet’s upper airways. Relatively smaller objects located at the outer segments of the nasal passages can easily be removed under light sedation using surgical forceps or tweezers. Flushing the nasal passages can also help dislodge any foreign object loosely attached to the respiratory lining so the animal can easily sneeze them out.
Tiny foreign bodies that are located in the deeper portions of the pet’s nasal passages will require the use of an endoscope for access and better visualization. Some endoscopes have small forceps attachments to help grab the foreign object when visualized during rhinoscopy procedures.
Your vet may still prescribe medications even after the successful removal of the foreign material to help reduce possible secondary infections or complications from the procedure. Dogs and cats that underwent removal of a nasal foreign body through rhinoscopy will require at least 24 hours of rest and limited physical activity for optimal recovery.
Prognosis in most cases is good if the foreign body has been located and removed promptly. Chronic cases may result in more serious damage to the animal’s respiratory tract and make them prone to complications, making recovery and prognosis worse.
What do you do if your dog has something stuck in his nose?
Steady your dog’s head with one hand while you use the tweezers with the other. When you see the object, use your fingers or blunt tipped tweezers to carefully reach into the nostril and pull it out.
Why are there bumps on my dog’s nose?
Is there a raised area on the dog nose? The lump may be a tumor. Squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) in the upper jaw often develops in the mouth and under the nose, causing the outer part of the nose to swell. Dogs with light-colored noses who are often exposed to sun are at the highest risk of this.