About nicole damphouse Expertise I am not a veterinarian but I know a lot about dogs,hamsters,and a little bit about fishes.For dogs I know about feeding charts,sicknesses and illnesses,exercise,seizures and general dog care.For hamsters I know feeding charts,sicknesses and illnesses,exercise,when to clean the hutch,health care and different breeds.For fish I know from experience on feeding charts,and breeds.
Experience My experience is from my own pets and my parents who know alot about animals.
Question my dog is 14 years old and out of no where got this green mucas nasal discharge from the right side of his nose! He is not sneezing very much but i have took him to 3 vets for help ! he was put on cephlaxin for 2 weeks 3 times a day ! the grenn discharge seemed to subside but came back as soon as the antibotic was over! Next vet put him on amoxcillian 2 times a day for 2 weeks nose is much better not much discharge ! i clean his nose everyday and still get a little sticky green stuff any suggestions ??? thank you !
Answer Hi Theresa!
You can check this site out.This site has a lot of information on green nasal discharge in dogs and some pictures too.
Although greatly reduced by widespread vaccination, Canine Distemper continues to be a frustrating problem in some shelters. All too frequently, shelter dogs with green nasal and ocular discharge are misdiagnosed as distemper cases, when, most of the time, these signs are caused by various agents of canine kennel cough/upper respiratory infection. However, distemper does occur intermittently, especially in shelters located in communities with many unvaccinated dogs. Shelters need to protect their adoptable canine population from exposure to a dog with this potentially fatal illness and protect adopters from the heartache of bringing home a very sick dog, but also don't want to wrongly diagnose a serious disease in a dog that may only have a mild, treatable illness. Unfortunately, there is no simple and reliable method of diagnosing distemper in all infected dogs. Control of distemper requires a combination of effective quarantine, isolation, disease recognition/diagnostic testing, and environmental decontamination. An understanding of the natural history of the disease will help establish an effective preventive plan.
AGENT OF CANINE DISTEMPER:
Distemper is a highly contagious viral infection caused by an enveloped, single stranded RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirus, family Paramyxoviridae.
SUSCEPTIBLE HOST SPECIES:
Canine distemper virus infects dogs and other mammals, including ferrets and raccoons. Dogs of all ages are susceptible if not previously immunized, although infection is most common in puppies between 12-16 weeks of age. Domestic cats are not at risk of distemper, although some large felids such as lions appear to be. (Feline panleukopenia, which sometimes is referred to as feline distemper, is not related to canine distemper). There is no demonstrated risk to humans from canine distemper. (Although at one time there was speculation that distemper might be associated with multiple sclerosis, studies over the last fifteen years have failed to support this connection [Appel, 1999].)
TRANSMISSION:
Canine distemper virus is shed in all body secretions of acutely infected animals. It can be spread by direct contact or by aerosol or respiratory droplet exposure. Although the virus does not survive long in the environment, it can be transmitted by fomites such as hands, feet, or instruments over a short time/distance. Virus can be shed by subclinically or mildly infected animals; such animals probably play an important role in maintaining the virus in a chronically infected shelter population. Therefore, careful isolation of all dogs with upper respiratory signs is especially important in a shelter where distemper is common.
INCUBATION:
Usually 1-2 weeks from time of exposure to development of clinical signs. Therefore, quarantine of dogs possibly exposed to distemper should be at least two weeks.
DISEASE COURSE:
Distemper virus can invade the respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin, immune and nervous systems. Consequently, signs are highly variable and disease course depends both on immune response and viral strain. Most commonly, early signs of clear to green nasal and ocular discharge, loss of appetite and depression are seen 1-2 weeks after infection, possibly followed by lower respiratory and gastrointestinal involvement . Neurological signs usually appear 1-3 weeks after recovery from GI and respiratory disease, but may develop at the same time or months later, even without a prior history of systemic signs.
TREATMENT:
No specific treatment for distemper has been proven effective. Treatment consists of supportive care, and may include: fluid support; nutritional support and anti-emetic therapy for vomiting and prolonged anorexia; nebulization and coupage for pneumonia; and antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection. Vitamin B supplementation has been recommended, and vitamin A supplementation may be helpful early in the course of illness. Seizures may need to be controlled with anti- seizure medication, and a single dose of dexamethasone may be considered to attempt control of CNS edema. Anecdotally, hyperimmune serum early in the course of infection may be beneficial. Because many dogs with mild signs are never actually confirmed as having distemper versus kennel cough, assessing the true benefits of anecdotal treatment is often difficult.
The prognosis for long-term recovery in dogs with distemper limited to GI or respiratory disease is fair with good supportive care, although recovered dogs may have permanent damage to the mucociliary apparatus and remain more susceptible to respiratory infections. Adopters should be warned that neurological signs could develop up to 3 months after infection. The prognosis for dogs with worsening neurological signs is poor; even if dogs survive, neurological damage is often permanent.
RECOVERY:
Shedding may persist for as long as 3 months in recovered dogs, although a shorter shedding period is more common. Recently recovered dogs should be kept separate from the general adoptable population until at least four weeks after resolution of clinical signs, and separated from puppies, unvaccinated or immunosuppressed dogs for a full 3 months following recovery.
If isolating recovered dogs for such prolonged periods is impractical, PCR testing can be used to assess whether dogs are continuing to shed detectable virus. Nasal and rectal swabs should be taken over a several day period at least 2 weeks after recovery, and can be submitted as a pooled sample to reduce testing cost. If negative, the dog is most likely not shedding virus in significant quantities, and can be moved into the adoptable population or adopted into a home. CAUTION: this test has not been validated.
ENVIRONMENTAL DECONTAMINATION:
Distemper survives no more than a few hours at room temperature. Cold and moist conditions increase survival, and it can last for several weeks at near freezing temperatures. The virus is readily inactivated by most commonly used disinfectants. Routine hygienic precautions are generally adequate to prevent spread.
CLINICAL SIGNS:
Clinical signs of distemper are often inapparent or mild. If one dog in a shelter develops full blown disease, it is likely that there have been other, unrecognized cases in exposed dogs. Clinical signs of upper or lower respiratory infection and gastrointestinal disease are non-specific; a diagnosis of distemper should not be made based on these signs alone. Clinical signs more suggestive of distemper but seen with less frequency include neurological signs, ocular signs and dermatological signs. All distemper suspects should receive a careful eye exam.
Diagnostic value: upper respiratory signs alone are much more likely due to kennel cough complex than to distemper. Suspicion of distemper increases with progression to pneumonia, continued worsening of signs after > 2 weeks of treatment, or development of other signs listed below. However, pneumonia and GI signs accompanying upper respiratory infection in shelter dogs can have many other causes besides distemper.
GI signs
Anorexia (loss of appetite)
Vomiting
Diarrhea (may be bloody)
Diagnostic value: Slightly increased suspicion for distemper when GI signs are seen in conjunction with URI in a dog with consistent age and exposure history. However, other causes such as Parvo, internal parasites, or antibiotic reaction should be considered. Suspicion increases when severe GI signs occur in conjunction with respiratory signs and persist > 1 week.
Ocular signs
Anterior uveitis (inflammation of the front chamber of the eye; may cause the cornea
to appear cloudy and/or cause changes in the appearance of the iris).
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye).
Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve - may cause sudden blindness).
Retinal degeneration or separation (may cause vision impairment).
Diagnostic value: These signs are relatively uncommon, but when seen in conjunction with other systemic signs, greatly increase suspicion for distemper.
Dermatological signs
Pustular dermatitis (skin rash - associated with a favorable prognosis).
Nasal and digital hyperkeratosis (thickening of the nose and footpads - associated with a poor prognosis and progression to neurological disease).
Diagnostic value: as for ocular signs. Nasal and digital hyperkeratosis should be interpreted with caution, as chronic nasal discharge can cause mild proliferation of nasal tissue and contact with harsh disinfectants on kennel floors can cause mild footpad changes.
Neurological signs
May occur in dogs with no or mild history of other signs.
Usually occur within 1-3 weeks after systemic signs, but may occur at the same time or weeks to months later.
Highly variable
May include seizures (focal or generalized), weakness or paralysis, vestibular signs (loss of balance), myoclonus (muscle twitching/involuntary contraction), hypersensitivity, neck pain/rigidity, or behavioral changes.
Diagnostic value: In the absence of a history of trauma, appearance of neurological signs in a young dog with a high risk history (unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated, possible exposure) should be considered highly suspicious for distemper regardless of other clinical signs. Appearance of neurological signs in conjunction with other signs (respiratory, GI, skin, ocular) listed above is virtually diagnostic of distemper.
Clinical pathology
Lymphopenia (decreased white blood cells) common in first week of infection.
Thrombocytopenia (decreased platelets) possible but less common.
Other non-specific changes depending on organ involvement and presence of secondary bacterial infection.
Other:
Enamel hypoplasia ("distemper teeth") suggests a prior distemper infection early in life (before permanent tooth eruption) from which the dog has recovered. These dogs may need varying degrees of additional dental care, depending on the extent of enamel damage. An older dog with enamel hypoplasia does not need to be isolated and is not an infectious threat to others.
DIAGNOSTIC OPTIONS
IFA: for inclusion bodies on conjunctival scrape, buffy coat, urine sediment, traumatic bladder catheterization, transtracheal wash, cerebrospinal fluid (with neurological signs).
Diagnostic value: Accuracy not affected by vaccination. Positive result very likely to be correct. Negative result does not rule out disease, as false negatives are very common. This test is most useful early in the course of disease. Buffy coat most likely to be positive very early in disease, sometimes before clinical signs appear. Conjunctival and genital (urine or bladder) samples may be positive in first 2-3 weeks of infection. Transtracheal washes may be positive for more than three weeks. Virus persists in central nervous system for at least 60 days.
Serology:
IgM: Serum antibodies measured by ELISA.
Diagnostic value: False positive possible within 3 weeks of vaccination. Otherwise, positive result is a good indicator of distemper infection. IgM antibodies persist for about 5 - 12 weeks in natural disease. False negative results can occur in dogs that die acutely without developing an antibody response, and can also occur in sub-acutely or chronically infected dogs.
IgG: Serial titers on 2 serum samples taken two weeks apart to detect rising titers (single titer has little diagnostic value).
Diagnostic value: In a dog known to not have been vaccinated within the past month, rising titers are indicative of infection, and an increase of greater than four fold is indicative of infection even in a recently vaccinated dog. Less dramatic increases in IgG titer may be caused by infection or recent vaccination. False negatives are possible as with IgM.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction): Can detect virus in respiratory secretions, CSF, feces, urine (depending on localization of virus).
Diagnostic value: False positives are possible within 1-2 weeks of vaccination. Otherwise, positive result is a good indicator of disease. However, negative result does not rule out distemper, especially when samples are obtained late in the course of disease when virus may no longer be shed.
Necropsy/histopathology: Spleen, tonsil, lymph node, stomach, duodenum, bladder and brain should be submitted for examination by a pathologist in order to detect distemper, which can localize in many different tissues.
Diagnostic value: Distemper can be identified reliably on necropsy and histopathology by a qualified pathologist. If distemper is a concern and a definitive diagnosis has not been reached by other testing methods, a necropsy is a worthwhile investment in a dog believed to have died of the disease to establish whether or not distemper is present in the shelter.
Back to Top of page
TREATMENT OF CANINE UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION OF UNKNOWN CAUSE (DISTEMPER NOT RULED OUT):
Isolate in well ventilated area
Isolate all sick dogs from general population.
Prevent contact of sick dogs with one another to prevent swapping of multiple agents.
Broad spectrum antibiotics if secondary bacterial infection is suspected based on signs of green ocular or nasal discharge.
Consider three day course of antibiotic with good activity against staphylococcus to treat nasal discharge without allowing bacterial overgrowth to develop.
Antibiotics with good activity against Bordetella bronchiseptica if bordetellosis is suspected (based on current or historical culture results or typical clinical signs).
Antitussives as needed to control coughing.
More aggressive diagnostics and therapy if signs of lower respiratory disease develop.
CANINE KENNEL COUGH
"Kennel Cough" is a highly contagious disease that is prevalent in domestic dogs and wild canids worldwide. It does not appear to be a significant health risk to humans or cats at this time. Up until recently, the term was applied to most upper respiratory conditions in dogs in the United States. Nowadays, the condition is known as tracheobronchitis, canine infectious tracheobronchitis, Bordetellosis, or Bordetella.
Most cases of kennel cough are not serious, and will run their course on their own within two weeks. However, in some cases dogs can develop life-threatening complications. Therefore, it is wise to take precautions to prevent your pet from contracting this disease.
CAUSES
Most cases of kennel cough occur in dogs who are in close contact with many other dogs. These dogs include those who attend dog shows, are boarded, or are housed in shelters or kennels.
Several different viruses and airborne bacteria cause kennel cough. The most common are parainfluenza, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and mycoplasma. It is possible that canine adenovirus, reovirus, and canine herpes virus may also contribute. In most cases of kennel cough, the disease is multifaceted and will include a combination of bacterial and viral agents.
The most common viral pathogen in kennel cough cases is parainfluenza. Most "DHLPP" 5-way vaccines, which dogs should receive annually, will offer some protection against this virus. The most common bacteria isolated is Bordetella bronchiseptica. There is an intranasal vaccine that is generally effective in warding off these bacteria, which should be given semi-annually to dogs at risk. Parainfluenza and Bordetella usually appear together in infectious tracheobronchitis.
SYMPTOMS
Normally, symptoms of kennel cough will develop within a week after a dog has been exposed. The most common symptoms are a dry, hacking cough followed by retching, and coughing up a white foamy discharge. The cough is brought on by an inflammation of the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (the air passages to the lungs). Some dogs also develop conjunctivitis ("pink eye"), rhinitis (inflamed nasal mucous membrane), and a nasal discharge.
In mild cases, dogs will be alert and continue to eat normally. In more severe cases, a dog can become feverish, depressed, lethargic, expel a thick yellow or green nasal discharge, and possibly even develop pneumonia. Some very severe cases are fatal.
If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, isolate the affected animal from all other dogs, and contact your veterinarian immediately! Kennel cough spreads easily and quickly from dog-to-dog through the air. Keep all food and water bowls, and toys separated. Additionally, some pathogens that cause kennel cough can be transmitted from dog to dog via fomites (clothes, shoes, etc.). If you think one of your dogs has kennel cough, wash yourself and your clothes, and disinfect your shoes before you come into contact with your healthy dogs.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
It is not difficult for a competent veterinarian to diagnose kennel cough based on a dog's symptoms and recent exposure to other dogs. Normally, the veterinarian will apply pressure to the dog's trachea. This almost always provokes the typical dry, hacking cough. If your animal exhibits severe symptoms, your veterinarian may perform more in-depth tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), a bacterial culture, or a chest x-ray.
If your dog has contracted an uncomplicated case of kennel cough, your veterinarian will probably prescribe antibiotics. The uncomplicated form of the disease usually lasts for approximately ten days. Complicated kennel cough, usually a combination of virus and bacteria, should always be treated with antibiotics and may last14-20 days. Some common antibiotics prescribed are Clavamox and Doxycycline. In more severe cases, Baytril (enrofloxacin) and a relatively new antibiotic, azithromycin, are usually effective. Your veterinarian may also recommend the use of an over-the-counter cough suppressant or a bronchodilator (aminophylline).
FOR DOGS ONLY
For a pet with irritated airways,clean air is important.This means protecting your oet fromm fireplace smoke or smoke from cigarettes,as well as from such things as household chemical fumes.
Keeping humidity high will help tame the cough by soothing your dog's throat and airways.Vets recommend running a humidifier or vaporizer during the course of the illness.For temporary relief,you can also take your dog in to the bathroom when you shower or bathe.
If your poor pooch is coughing more than once an hour,you may want to give her a cough suppressant.Vets recommend using a product formulated for humans that contains dextromethorphan,such as Vick 44D or Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough Suppressant.(Make sure the product does NOT contain acetaminophen,which can be dangerous to dogs.)Vets recommend giving 2 teaspoons to a dog 40 pounds and over,1 teaspoon to a 20-pound dog and 1/2 teaspoon or less to a smaller dog.Check with your vet to make sure these doses are right for your pet.
When your dog is coughing and congested,taking a slow,gentle walk can help her airways drain.But avoid letting her get tired or overheated,which can set off further bouts of coughing.It's also a good idea to avoid choke chains and tight collars,which can bring on a coughing spell.
Since kennel cough is contagious,you'll want to keep the "patient" away from other dogs until she has recovered.
To prevent your dog from getting kennel cough in the future,never board your dog at a kennel that doesn't require proof of immunization.And always make sure she's had her shots before checking in.
MAKING THE DIAGNOSIS
Like people,dogs may simply cough now and then-if for no other reason than because they have a tickle in the throat.Vets have a simple trick for distinguishing a harmless harumph from a possibly serious infecting like kennel cough.If you press gently on the front of the dogs throat,she will go into a coughing spasm if she has kennel cough.The virus particularly likes ti irritate the lining of the trachea.If your et does not have kennel cough,however,pressing gently on her throat probably won't make her cough.
WHEN TO SEE THE VET
While kennel cough often goes away on its own withing several to ten days,it can also get worse.In some cases it leads to pneumonia,which may be accompanied by spitting up white foam.Some pets will require a cough suppressant plus antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory drug.One way to tell if your dog needs a vet is to take his temperature.Coat a rectal thermometer with petroleum jelly,insert it gently into his rectum and hold it there for two to three minutes.A dog's normal temperature is 100.5' to 102.5'.Anything higher could mean the illenss is serious and requires veterinary care.In addition,if you pet's coughing is accompanied by a loss of appetite,you should probably cal your vet right away.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
The best prevention is not to expose your dogs to other dogs, especially if they are puppies or have other illnesses. However, dog socialization is frequently necessary and can also be beneficial for your dog. The intranasal kennel cough vaccine is recommended twice a year for all dogs that attend shows, or are boarded. The vaccine provides immunization within 72 hours. If you know your dog will be in contact with several other dogs, it is best to have the dog vaccinated a week prior to their exposure.
Vaccination alone cannot protect your animal from contracting this disease. There is always some risk if you show or board your dog, or if your dog comes into contact with strays. Your best weapon against kennel cough may be your own knowledge of the disease!
Here is a site on how to manage Canine Kennel Cough.
Canine infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in dogs. Fortunately, the majority of cases are not serious resolving on their own in 1 to 2 weeks . But because some dogs develop life- threatening complications, you should take precautions to prevent your pooch from becoming infected with this highly contagious disease.
Kennel cough can be caused by a number of different airborne bacteria (such as Bordetella bronchiseptica) and viruses (such as canine parainfluenza) or a mycoplasma (an organism somewhere between a virus and a bacteria). Typically, more than one of these pathogens (disease-causing agents) must bombard the dog at once to trigger illness. Such a multifaceted attack is most likely to occur when a dog spends time in close quarters with many other dogs. Dogs that attend dog shows, travel frequently, or stay at kennels have a higher risk of developing kennel cough than do dogs that stay at home most of the time.
The primary sign of kennel cough is a dry- sounding, spasmodic cough caused by pathogens that induce inflammation of the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (air passages into the lungs). At the end of a coughing spell, a dog will often retch and cough up a white foamy discharge. Some dogs also develop conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelids), rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane), and a nasal discharge. Affected dogs usually remain active and alert and continue to eat well. But if you suspect your dog has kennel cough, isolate it from other dogs and call you veterinarian.
Your veterinarian can typically diagnose kennel cough from a physical exam and history. The cough is very characteristic and can be easily elicited by massaging the dog's larynx or trachea But if the dog is depressed; feverish; expelling a thick yellow or green discharge from its nose; or making abnormal lung sounds, your veterinarian may want to perform diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) chest x-ray, and laboratory analysis of the microorganisms inhabiting your dog's airways. These tests can help determine whether the dog has developed pneumonia or another infectious illness such as canine distemper.
Immunization can be an important part of a kennel- cough prevention program and is recommended . But since the illness is caused by multiple organisms - making effective immunization difficult - you should focus on minimizing your dog's exposure to the disease-causing organisms themselves. Don't share your dog's toys or food and water bowls with unfamiliar dogs. And if your dog is in an indoor kennel or show, make sure the indoor area is adequately ventilated so airborne organisms are transferred outside.
If your dog is diagnosed with kennel cough, your veterinarian will likely prescribe an antibiotic to help prevent any secondary bacterial infection and a cough suppressant. We have found in those persistent cases of kennel cough, the use of a relatively new antibiotic, azithromycin, to be effective. This medication is very effective in the treatment of the mycoplasmal forms of tracheobronchitis. Again, before any treatment regimen administered, is it is imperative that a proper veterinary examination and appropriate diagnostics be performed.
When you get to this site,a whole bunch of links will come up.You can just click on all of them if you want to.When you click on it,a whole bunch of information and maybe some pictures will come about your dogs illness.
When you check out all the links on this page,you will see at the bottom that there are more pages to click on.I have already done some research and found out that there is a total of seventy-eight pages with information and maybe pictures on it.You can just keep checking out all the pages if you would like to.
It does sound to me like Canine Kennel Cough I would maybe try calling an Emergency vet to be sure it is Canine Kennel Cough before treating him.
I hope this has been helpful and I wish you the best of luck!Please keep me posted and give that doggie dog millions of kisses for me!Sending wagging tails your way!
Nicole
