So, your little pup started his teething phase. And like you expected, pal went crazy, biting anything in front of him. But here’s the problem: there’s nose discharge everywhere, and you have no idea why. To answer your question: it’s unlikely for this to occur when teething.
One exception, though. It's common for a Shih Tzu puppy or a similar flat-faced breed to get nasal discharge during teething.
This happens because the nostrils become swollen and “pinched,” leading to a runny nose.
But, if you own a different dog breed, this discharge could be due to something else.
Common Signs of Dog Teething
Before I go into the details, here’s a quick summary of signs your pup is teething.
- Drooling
- Chewing and biting
- Teary eyes
- Low fever
- Tiny blood droplets
- Swollen gums
If you haven’t noticed, there’s no mention of “runny nose” in this list of symptoms. If anything, your puppy’s runny nose is most likely due to one of the health issues I’ll list below.
Causes and Symptoms of a Runny Nose in Puppies
Your furry friend can get the occasional runny nose when he’s excited. As long as it’s white and clear, it’s nothing to worry about!
But, if it persists or has a strange color, there could be an underlying issue. Here are the most prevalent ones:
1. Allergies
Yep, you heard it right! Dogs can get allergies to food, grass, and chemicals—just like us. If your puppy suddenly started getting a watery runny nose after a nice walk in the park, it could be hay fever.
Some dog types are more likely to get allergies. Some examples are Labrador retrievers, dalmatians, and Shih Tzus.
Other symptoms to look for:
- Itchy skin
- Swollen ears
- Sneezing and diarrhea
- Post-nasal drip
- Fur loss
Treatment
Your vet will prescribe antihistamines such as Claritin to treat allergies. To avoid it in the first place, try to keep allergens away from the puppy, if possible.
2. Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is a common respiratory disease among canines, especially immunocompromised dogs and puppies.
Due to its high contagiousness, dogs can catch it by sniffing other dogs or sharing food.
As you might have guessed, puppies get it from kennels and any popular dog-walking areas. Assuming your puppy enjoys playing with dogs, he can contract it from another dog.
Common signs include:
- Persistent cough with a “hooking” sound
- Runny nose
- Lethargy and laziness
- Sneezing
- Fever and high temperature
No need to panic, though. Kennel cough is not dangerous for healthy dogs; it usually resolves within 7 days to 21 days on its own.
But, if the puppy’s age is less than 6 weeks, it can progress to pneumonia—a life-threatening condition. In that case, you should bring him to a vet.
