Keeping the house as free from allergens as possible is an important part of treatment. HEPA certified filters should be used in both AC's and in vacuum cleaners. Bedding and other washables should be washed and dried using hypoallergenic detergent. More frequent baths may be needed to wash pollen and other airborne particles off of the Yorkie's coat.
A blockage
- If you have a curious Yorkshire Terrier, you'll understand how common this is. A wide range of tiny items can be sucked up into the nose when the dog is sniffing around. This includes blades of grass, seeds… even such random things such as pencil erasers and a small artificial nail has been recovered from the nose of toy breeds that inadvertently snorted these objects.
In some cases, you may be able to spot the culprit and if it is visible, you may be able to remove it with a tweezers. If you are unsure, wait for the vet to do it. In some cases, it will be lodged further up the nasal canal, where it causes quite a bit of discomfort. Signs are odd breathing, snorting, pawing at the nose and/or slight bleeding, along with discharge that may be leaking out of just one nostril.
The veterinarian will be able to remove the obstruction; though this sometimes needs to be done with the dog under sedation.
Tooth infection
- The roots of the upper teeth are located very close to nasal passages and for this reason, a dental infection can cause a runny nose. Even if you routinely
clean your Yorkie's teeth, offer healthy dental treats and have his teeth examined by the vet, infection can still occur. Many Yorkies will eat less, due to discomfort and/or may seem anxious or distressed (tooth pain can be quite severe). This is treated on a case by case basis, with possible extraction and with antibiotics to clear up the infection
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Less common causes
- There are a wide range disease and conditions that can trigger a runny nose. Rare, yet possible include but are not limited to cryptococcosis (a fungal disease), nasal growth (polyps , tumors), distemper and pneumonia.