Respiratory

My eight year old female pug has has this respiratory issue going on since last spring. We have had her into the vet three times for the same issue. This upsets me as they really have not done too much for her. This is the same vet they have gone to all their life (we have five pugs). She sneezes yeowish to green thick snot. She sneezes, she has horrible breath. She seems normal other than the sinus/respiratory issues. She eats just fine, she sleeps fine, exvcept for waking up to sneeze. She does not always go outside though with the rest of the pugs. She usually only goes out twice a day or so, I just take it as her getting old. She is overwieght. We do live in the Northeast. Oh she got this shortly after the last time she was kenneled, but the vet said it was not kenne cough.  Any suggestions?

[Bernadine Cruz, D.V.M.]

Respiratory issues, especially with a breed who is born with a compromised respiratory system can be frustrating.  As with human medicine, medical problems can require repeated diagnostic attempts and trials with various medications or treatments and monitoring the response to these treatments.  

You mention that your pug has bad breath.  I would wonder when the last time the teeth were cleaned.  Bad teeth can lead to sneezing and mucoid nasal discharge.  The large premolars, especially the ones in the top jaw can be prone to tooth root abscesses that can cause erosion of the boney plate separating the oral cavity from the nasal cavity.  

If you are feeling that your present veterinarian is not addressing your needs, I would suggest that you voice your concerns to him/her.  You can always seek a second opinion from another vet in your area.  Please request a copy of your medical records to take to the new doctor.  Additional testing that may be needed are sinus xrays taken under anesthesia, xrays of the chest and/or dental xrays.  Nasal flushes to check for fungal or bacterial disease may be needed.  Pets can develop nasal/sinus tumors so you don't want to ignore the signs you are seeing.

It is unlikely that the condition your pet is demonstrating is secondary to kenneling.  Kennel cough typically results in a dry hacking cough that lasts about 14 days.

I wish your pet a speedy recovery....
Dr. Bernadine