Anyone who has a French bulldog has wondered at some point in his life, “Why does my French bulldog have a runny nose?” If your French bulldog has a runny nose, then you need not worry much. French bulldogs are more prone to nasal infections than other breeds due to their flat face and narrowed nasal passages. A runny nose is not an unusual thing in a French bulldog. However, if there is any blood or pus along with nasal discharge, then you should immediately see a veterinarian.
5 Reasons why French bulldog has a runny nose
There can be various reasons for your French bulldog having a runny nose. It can be due to a blocked nose or some severe medical conditions. The five main reasons why your French bulldog has a runny nose are:
Nervousness or Excitement
Sometimes when the dog gets nervous or excited, their nose starts to run but, as soon as the dog calms down, the discharge clears up. So you don’t need to worry. However, if the nose continues to run for a few hours, then you should consult a veterinarian. It could be a sign of a viral infection.
Infection
The regular discharge is generally clear, thin, and odorless. If the nasal discharge is thick, has a strong odor, or is of some color like white, yellow, or green, then your dog might have an infection.
Common Nasal Infections:
The most common nasal infections are:
- Canine Distemper: Common symptoms include thick, sticky yellow nasal discharge, fever, and twitching.
- Parainfluenza: Common symptoms include persistent cough, sneezing, thick nasal discharge, and fever.
- Aspergillosis Common symptoms include sneezing, blood, and swollen nose.
- Dog flu (canine influenza): Common symptoms include difficulty in breathing, fever, coughing, sneezing, and white, yellow, or green, nasal discharge.
- Kennel cough: Common symptoms include persistent cough, sneezing, a low fever, lack of energy, and a loss of appetite
Cleft Palate
The most common health problem in French bulldogs is cleft palate. It is a congenital disability and can leave nasal passages separated. It can be very uncomfortable for the dogs. The other common health problem is a nasal fistula, which can be due to tooth decay, infection, or some injury. If your French bulldog has a runny nose after eating or drinking something, then it could be due to one of these conditions.
Blocked Nasal Passage
There is a possibility your dog has inhaled something that gets stuck in their nose if there is a continuous discharge coming from only one nostril for a few hours. It could be grass or some other object. In such a case, your dog will be sneezing or grasping their nose. There is also a possibility of nosebleeds. These stuck objects can cause infections, fungal or viral, and even tumors.
Allergies
Like humans, dogs are also prone to environmental allergies. The most common symptoms of allergy in French bulldog are runny noses and eyes. The short nose of the French bulldogs makes them vulnerable to allergies. The discharge, in this case, is thin, transparent, and odorless. It is crucial to keep the dog’s face clean so that the infection doesn’t develop. Generally, in case of any environmental allergies, antihistamines can be beneficial.
These are the five common reasons your French Bulldog might be having a runny nose. In case the nasal discharge occurred just once and lasted for a short period of time, there’s no need to rush to see a vet.
However, if the runny nose continues for a few hours and the discharge becomes thick, has a strong odor, and has a white, green, or yellow color, it’s the ultimate time to consult a veterinarian.