Dog with small, slow bloody nasal discharge from one nostril - Update- he's gone. :(

[4horses]

My dog Max died from sinus cancer. He first presented with neurological signs like a mini stroke. He had reverse sneezing for years which was assumed to be allergic bronchitis. The mini stroke symptoms resolved while we were waiting for test results at the ER vet. The vet thought he had gotten into something toxic but did recommend an MRI. A few months later the nasal bleeding started - he lived another year before passing.

There’s no effective treatment if it is cancer. Scary that all these animals are getting sinus cancer. What exactly is in our air?

It could still be a fungal infection which is not usually lethal.

[stressgirl37]

@4horses Ours had the reverse sneezing also and were told “some dogs just do it, perfectly normal”. He also started having seizures a few years before the tumor. Not full blown flopping around but still seizures. I always have wondered if it were related to the tumor.

[Lah0808]

All the pesticides, weed killer, etc. that is right at dog nose level when they are sniffing around could be one reason for the sinus cancers. Very sad.

[Sswor]

Formaldehyde in flooring/furniture manufacturing process another possible culprit.

[Garythesquirrel]

Cancer of the tonsils is found more often in dogs living in urban areas.

[DressageLin]

Just as a general update, we are scheduled for his scope on February 11. That was the soonest they could fit him into the schedule. They recommended removing the tooth while he is under anesthesia then as well. The tooth bothers me, but he is still eating, chewing his toys and even trying to lure us into games of tug of war, so I think he’s feeling okay. The vet decided since it did not seem to be bothering him to do both procedures at the same time.

I’ll update when we have new information.

[Foxtrot_s]

Ferbruary 11th??? Poor dog. Painkillers?

[DressageLin]

I thought I’d provide an update. We had the scope and tooth removal yesterday. All went well. The vet did not find any evidence of a mass or foreign body, but said the tissue in the nasal passage was inflamed and was brownish in an area instead of a healthy pink. He said there was a lot of mucus (which we already knew from the drainage) and flushed the nasal passage with a liter of saline. He took some biopsies and sent those to a lab.

Pup is back on doxy to prevent infection secondary to the procedure yesterday. Once we have the biopsy results, we will have a better plan. The vet said sometimes just flushing the nose will help.

Given the amount of mucous lately, I suspect some sort of infection, but we’ll see.

Pup was quiet last night, so clearly wasn’t feeling good after the procedures. We made him chicken and rice to keep him on soft foods for a couple days in case his mouth is tender.

Hoping we will get him feeling better quickly.

[Foxtrot_s]

Thanks - It seems hard you had to wait so long for treatment, tho.

[stressgirl37]

Thanks for the update- you and your pup have been in my thoughts. Hope the meds clear things up. Did your vet mention a CT?

[DressageLin]

This vet did not mention a CT yet. I am hopeful the cultures will give us some guidance as to next steps.

Still lots of drainage, but it no longer looks even remotely bloody. Maybe that’s a good sign?

[DressageLin]

Update:

Nothing good to report. We are now about 5 weeks post-scope and a total of 3 months of drainage and he is still having lots of nasal drainage from one nostril. After the scope, he was given an extended script of Doxy and put on prednisone (in an attempt to reduce the inflammation). He showed brief improvement of lessened drainage, but then it returned to the copious amounts. It sometimes looks slightly pinkish or bloody, but often just looks like mucous. After completing the doxy script, we have him on a new antibiotic (blanking on the name currently). We also collected sample of drainage and sent to lab. Vet says that it came back as negative for fungal infection and not providing any helpful information.

Vet is recommending repeating the scope and flush. I have requested a referral to major clinic for CT and additional diagnostics. Vet sounds agreeable with this plan.

I think after realizing the licking was making his nose sore (insert sad face), the poor pup has taken to basically blowing out the drainage while awake. Although not important, you may imagine the state of my house. The prednisone has made him very hungry and thirsty, so hubby and I are trying to get home in the middle of the day to let him out more often.

At this point, it feels fairly discouraging to not even know what we are dealing with, let alone how to treat it. I assume we will have another long wait to get into the major clinic. Hopefully we will get some answers soon. Kicking myself for not just taking the time off of work, spending the money and taking him to the major clinic first.

[Zu_Zu]

Jingles & AO for a diagnosis and treatment
plan soon ~

((hugs)) laced with strength and patience for a worried owner ~

[StellaTMK]

I am just reading this now and a little late to the game but have your dog checked for a FUNGAL infection. Symptoms we have seen start with intermittent sneezing, progress to nosebleeds and often show as discoloration of the nose-leather. It is something often overlooked but depending on where you are, it has been so wet over the past 6 months that we are seeing more health related issues pertaining to fungal infections in humans and animals. Good Luck.

[BravAddict]

@DressageLin

Update:
We also collected sample of drainage and sent to lab. Vet says that it came back as negative for fungal infection and not providing any helpful information.

@StellaTMK last update says they already checked for fungal infection

[Sswor]

Very sorry to read this update, OP. This must be very frustrating for you and for your pup. I hope you both catch a break soon.

[Claddagh]

So very sorry that you’ve gotten no diagnosis yet. Your poor pup needs help and you must feel so helpless at this point.

My suggestion is to make sure whoever you consult with is a board certified specialist. I don’t know where you live but if at all possible location-wise, I would head to a university vet school for a consult. I’ve done this with horses and it was ‘the best’ experience. I wouldn’t hesitate for a minute to do the same for our dogs or cats if needed.

Best wishes for a treatable diagnosis soon.

[DressageLin]

Update:

Local vet recommended doing another set of x-rays. We did. Nothing to note.

We lucked into a cancellation at the specialty hospital for this past Monday. I had to travel that day, but my husband took the pup. They immediately noted an enlarged lymph node under his jaw. They took some additional x-rays. They decided to do a rhinoscopy to take a biopsy from inside the nose and I think they biopsied the lymph node. Vet was suspicious for lymphoma based on presentation, so vet recommended not doing the CT that day, but to wait for results. Pup has gotten extremely lethargic with increased drainage over last couple weeks. He acts miserable.

Preliminary results came in yesterday and showed no evidence of cancer (yay!). They sent out test for fungal but said it will take 3-6 weeks for results. So it’s possible whatever infection/issue is going on in the nose is causing the inflammation of the lymph node (as I understand it). We are now on antibiotic #4 clavamox.

I think I’d like to proceed with the CT at this point while we wait for fungal results. And if nothing visible on CT, I’m wondering if vet will consider treating for fungal based on diagnosis by exclusion.

Hopefully we will find out what is going on and get pup feeling better.

[Zu_Zu]

Bless you for ALL you have done for your beloved boy !

So glad to read you were able to get into that specialty vet !!

no cancer !!!

push onward … JINGLES & AO !!

((hugs)) laced with strength and support for all involved ~

[stressgirl37]

I’m sorry this has been so rough. A CT should help clarify things. Major jingles to you and your pup.