Jack Russell with snotty nose

[Eddies_mom]

My Jack Russell, Eddie has had a snotty, not runny, nose for nearly 3 years following a bout of bronchitis. This is both nostrils equally. Thick, ranging from green to clear. Sneezing snot, reverse sneezing and obvious post-nasal drip due to the hocking and gagging and lots of other unpleasant trying to breathe noises that keep everyone up all night.  We have been to three veterinarians. After suggestions of "only" $1800.00 for a rhinoscopy and an unnecessary dental. Vet #1 tried an antibiotic with no result. Then they cultured and tried the "right" antibiotic. During the third course Eddie developed hives, obviously this wasn't working anyway. Vet #2, an Internist, agreed with me that a dental would not resolve the issue. Since we could not afford $$$$ for diagnostics the vet thought it was rhinitis and prescribed an  anti-inflammatory & antibiotic. No results. After some research on my part, Vet #1 was willing to try a course of prednisone but no results. Vet #3 suggested an inhaler, which we tried, no results. She had, however, recently seen a JRT who had all the tests. $1800.00 rhinoscopy, $800.00 CAT scan, $700.00 x-rays after the initial dental. All tests were inconclusive and the dog was euthanized. I can justify this option for Eddie as he is a healthy, approx 12 year old. We flush his nose several times a day with saline to loosen the snot so he can sneeze it out. I believe we are keeping Kleenex in business. He goes in to the bathroom when we take showers and at random times to steam his nose. Has anyone dealt with anything like this?  Help!!  Please don't tell me the "usual" causes as the vets have ruled those out. (grass up the nose, rotten teeth and most likely not cancer as there is no blood).

[Margot49]

Oh gosh, poor dog must be miserable and you too!  Agree that this could be caused by any number of things.  I would think, if it were allergies, the dog would be showing some other signs like runny eyes, scratching, etc.  just a guess.

What kind if jumps out at me is the history of Bronchitis. I wonder if that was actually cleared up or went into a secondary infection.  You said it is sometimes green which would indicate some infection.

Could be a tumor, etc but that usually affect whatever side it is on.

Were blood tests done to check for fungal infection?  

I hate to say it, but he may need a scope of the nasal passages with a biopsy. if not a CT scan then possibly a skull x-ray.  Yes, all these tests add up!

Any chance you have a Vet school or university near you?  You may want to consider a consult there.

Just perhaps he was not treated long enough.  Not sure what antibiotic he reacted to but, IF this is some ongoing infection, perhaps a course of Keflex along with Benadryl might help.  That is just a suggestion.  I am no Vet.

Is he crate trained?  If so, and the steam helps, you can try crating him and cover the crate on 3 sides, get a humidifier and place it near the open side and this might help him and you sleep.

Hope you can find some answers but that green discharge is very suspicious.

Good luck and please come back and update.

[ginger899]

I am so sorry. Poor Eddie! At least, from what you have said, he seems fit otherwise, but how draining for him to have this problem daily.
I wish I could suggest anything you have not mentioned. It sounds as if the vets have tried every non-invasive option....especially with doing the culture and getting an antibiotic to target the bacteria involved. Did Eddie have to stop taking that course of antibiotics after developing hives/allergic reaction? I don't suppose there was an alternative antibiotic which also might target that particular bacteria found at culture?
Did the vet suggest Benadryl running alongside the antibiotic treatment? Of course -I don't know -the allergic reaction could have been too serious....

The only thing I can think of to try to get to the bottom of what might be wrong is a rhinoscopy...and of course, even with that there is no assurance of either definite diagnosis or cure.

One thought which just came to me which you can throw out if it makes no sense to you -and that is, is it possible there is some environmental irritant/allergen in Eddie's life, on a regular basis? This could be either inside or outside the home.