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Why is my dog sneezing after boarding, but seems fine otherwise?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 4 years and 11 months old | 13 lbs
Hi, My little terrier mix keeps sneezing since last wednesday but it compeltely herself otherwise. She eats, drinks, plays and is naughty as ever. She just came back from a 3 week stay at a kennel but was vaccinated against kennel cough. I am terrified it might be distemper or a nasal tumor, does sneezing always mean death?
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on January 14th, 2017
Poor Lady! I'm sorry that she's been sneezing - but the good news is, it's far more likely that she has a simple respiratory infection vs. something serious or life-threatening.
If she's current on her vaccinations and acting normal otherwise, there's virtually no chance that she has distemper - this is mainly a disease of unvaccinated puppies, and affected dogs are extremely sick. Nasal tumors do occur in dogs, but would be statistically unlikely in a fairly young dog like Lady. We worry more about a tumor if there is sneezing that has been going on for weeks or months at a time with no improvement, especially with foul-smelling green or yellow discharge, or bleeding from the nose.
I would recommend having her examined by a vet to help determine the problem, and hopefully put your mind at ease. If she does have an infection, your vet can prescribe antibiotics or other medication if needed to treat the problem and make sure that the sneezing resolves.
If she's current on her vaccinations and acting normal otherwise, there's virtually no chance that she has distemper - this is mainly a disease of unvaccinated puppies, and affected dogs are extremely sick. Nasal tumors do occur in dogs, but would be statistically unlikely in a fairly young dog like Lady. We worry more about a tumor if there is sneezing that has been going on for weeks or months at a time with no improvement, especially with foul-smelling green or yellow discharge, or bleeding from the nose.
I would recommend having her examined by a vet to help determine the problem, and hopefully put your mind at ease. If she does have an infection, your vet can prescribe antibiotics or other medication if needed to treat the problem and make sure that the sneezing resolves.
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