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Old January 18th, 2004, 12:05 AM
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DMuckle DMuckle is offline
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Possible foreign object in nasal passage

I have a 10 year old Pug/Chihuahua mix. She has been in good health, with good teeth and not overweight.

She started coughing after waking up over 2 months ago. She was given an anti-inflammatory and then an expectorant. Finally, after getting much worse, including a thick clear discharge from her left nostril, was given anti-biotics. This did help, however, she never totally recovered before the meds were finished. She had 2 more refills for a total of 38 days with a few days break in between refills.

She is better, but not 100%. She has always maintained a healthy appetite, and everything else is the same. From x-rays it was noticed that she have a small enlargement of the heart, and a tiny murmur of what is beleived the left side was also detected. Both of these things were not thought to be of great concern and more a sign of age and to be monitored going forward.

Her left nostril appears smaller at the opening and I'm not sure if that has always been the case as I never thought to notice. Her nose is longer than a normal Pug and other a choking cough when she excitedly barks she has always had no nasal problems.

Now she still sneezes, occasionally reverse sneezing where she appears to be choking, shakes her head occasionally and still has a discharge out her one nostril.

Do you have any ideas as to what is wrong? Is there anything we can do to find out what is wrong that is not too invasive due to her age, and size? Finally, do you have any suggestions as to how best to cure her, again without causing her great suffering?

Thanks
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Old January 18th, 2004, 08:52 AM
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Carina Carina is offline
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I think the easiest would be have your vet check up her nostrils...it's not invasive (probably not real fun for the Puglet though!), he just sticks a light thingie in there and looks. If she's got something stuck, or a little pimple or grwoth, he'll be able to see.

Is the discharge clear, or pus-sy looking? Unless it's clear, she probably has a little infection going.
Hope she's OK!

Hey, do you have a photo you can post? I'm curious, what does a pug/chi mix look like? I bet she's real cute.
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Old January 18th, 2004, 10:26 AM
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Thanks for your info.

I was at a specialist recently, where they had all the latest equipment and he said due to the fact that she is better than she had been to give it a couple of more weeks (that was last Monday) as anything, including the scope which you spoke of would be very invasive for such a little dog and possible damaging. So, unless he saw signs to make him concerned he would wait.

Since she is not yet 100%, I'm hoping to gain an alternative method to sort things out before going the route suggested.

As for a picture, I have many. she loves to pose. I even purchased a top quality cam corder, but everytime I point it at her doing something cute, she stops and poses.

Thanks for your help.
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Old January 18th, 2004, 11:42 AM
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Luba Luba is offline
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Did you know dogs can get post nasal drip as well..she could just be sorta gagging on her own nasal drip at the back of her throat!

She is a real cutie patootie!
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Old January 18th, 2004, 11:58 AM
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Thanks, for the compliment. I never thought I would own a small dog, until I saw her as a puppy. We instantly bonded and now I don't know if I would ever get a big dog again.

Also, thanks for the advice. The only issue with that however is that it is only in the one nostril. It sounds as though the piece of flesh where her nasal cavity meets her throat is somehow longer on the one side.

I've also been informed that since it started with a violent cough that primarily happened after waking up, she may have coughed up a piece of food into this area which has not worked itself out, and may not on it's own.

She is definitley better, but if you block each nostril you can tell her left side is much more difficult to breath through. Sometimes she can breath in but not out of that nostril.

I appreciate all the help and hopefully she will not have to endure anything to tramatic.

Thanks.
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Old January 18th, 2004, 07:46 PM
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OMG, she's so CUTE!!! In an ugly sort of way (that's a compliment.) What a totally adorable face she has.

Except for the ears, her face looks like a sloth, has anyone seen one up close? They're just fascinating.

Well it sounds like your vet is compassionate & good, so I hope she gets to breathing better soon!
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Old January 18th, 2004, 08:18 PM
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Thank you. I have heard her described that way, yet I only see her beauty - true love I guess!

The Sloth is one of my favorite animals, but I don't think I ever saw one before having my puppy.

Sometimes she looks like Gizmo. Her ears sometimes make her look like a bat. They are like velvet and to me just add to her personality.

Yes, I do to. I hate to have to see her suffer at all, even though for the most part she is adjusting to breathing through one nostril and dealing with the runny nose, sneezing, choking, coughing and nasal discharge. It's me who is having the tough time with it all, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
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Old January 22nd, 2004, 03:27 PM
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Well she is going in for diagnostic surgery this Tuesday, as it has almost been 3 months and she has still not totally recovered. She is a tough little girl and so she should pull through it okay, but with her age and size of snout, it is still going to be rough on her. I only wish I could trade places with her!
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