My tiny 4-month-old puppy has a stuffy nose. Is it allergies?

A stuffy nose and sniffles could be a signs of an upper respiratory infection. We could also have allergies or inhalation of a foreign body into the nasal passages. If this has been going on for a few days, the safest course of action is a vet exam. The vet may need to prescribe an antibiotic or antihistamine for your pup.

The most likely causes are an infection or allergies. An object stuck in the nose is possible but typically tends to be one sided and will start to have greenish discharge. If she starts to get worse or doesn’t get better, have her examined by her veterinarian. Hope she continues improving. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Poor Nova! I am sorry to hear that she is not feeling well. It sounds as though Nova may have an upper respiratory infection. She should definitely be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, especially since she is so young. Because she is a puppy her immune system is not completely developed making her more susceptible to illness. We want to make sure that a veterinarian evaluates her before her symptoms progress, as it is much easier on all parties involved to get her symptoms under control early rather than waiting until she is severely ill. The veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate medications to get Nova feeling better and being a puppy. Unfortunately there is nothing over the counter to remedy this; however, until you can get her in to be seen you can steam up the bathroom and sit in there with Nova for about 5-10 mins to give her some relief. This will only help give her some relief from the stuffy nose. She ultimately needs to be seen by a vet to clear up things for good. I hope this was helpful and that Nova gets better very soon.

Hello, sorry to hear about Luna. Most dogs with upper respiratory infections are treated with antibiotics as these tend to be bacterial in origin. If her signs are worsening then she may need to see a veterinarian to obtain medications for these. Unlike humans, dogs do not typically get influenza or the flu, and it they do, it tends to be much more severe than it is in humans. In the interim, you can try to run a hot shower and have Luna sit in the bathroom to see if this helps decongest her. Otherwise, make an appointment with your veterinarian and have her evaluated for an upper respiratory infection. Other causes of nasal congestion/coughing and nose discharge may include kennel cough, tooth root abscess, or even some form of mass in her nose, especially in an 11 year old dog. Hope this helps and best of luck.

It sounds like Arya may have a mild upper respiratory infection - this is a common problem in puppies, and usually resolves on its own within 7-14 days. If her only real symptom is that she sounds congested in the mornings, you could try bringing her into the bathroom with you each morning while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity often help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms. Using a humidifier in the room where she sleeps at night may also be helpful. If she develops other symptoms such as coughing, acting lethargic, or not wanting to eat, or if it's been more than 14 days with no improvement, I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam, since she may need prescription antibiotics to treat the infection.

Poor girl. It sounds like Macie may have an upper respiratory infection. You should have her seen by your vet within the next 24-48 hrs and they will put her on a short course of antibiotics to hopefully clear things up. Most upper respiratory infections in dogs are caused by a bacteria, so this is the proper and only course of treatment that will help resolve her symptoms. I hope that Macie has a full and speedy recovery. Take care.

Poor girl. The only thing you can do in the meantime is to try and unclog her airway. You can do so by using a humidifier or placing her in the bathroom with the hot shower running for 5-10 minutes once or twice a day. You can also use a pediatric syringe to help remove any mucous plugs. However, it sounds like her infection is quite severe, so I would look into taking her to another vet who can get her in sooner. Young puppies do have a tendency to develop pneumonia quickly after a prolonged upper respiratory infection that is left untreated, so its best to get her seen right away. I hope that Kylie feels better soon. Best wishes and take care.