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Nasal Mites in Dogs

Nasal Mites in Dogs

Pneumonyssoides caninum

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Updated on September 26, 2024
SUMMARY OF CONTENT
Nasal mites are a common but rarely diagnosed mite that infects the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses of dogs and wild canines.
SEVERITY:
Severity is mild to severe
  • Time to Cure
    Usually resolves with proper treatment
  • Treatment Icon
    Treatable by a veterinarian, and by the pet parent
  • Prevention Icon
    Minimize contact of your dog with stray or infected dogs
  • Spread Icon
    Transmission is possible between dogs, there is not thought to be a zoonotic concern.
  • Lab Icon
    Diagnosis requires a physical examination and laboratory testing
VERY COMMON IN
Nasal mites can affect any dog regardless of breed, age, or sex.

Symptoms & Signs

Infestation with the nasal mite does not usually cause any serious symptoms, however in severe cases, some dogs will suffer from bouts of sneezing and nose bleeds. Other dogs may develop a chronic nasal discharge from the infection.

Diagnosis

If the infection causes symptoms, the mite may be identified by your veterinarian by taking a swab of the nasal passage and applying it to a microscope slide. There are usually a large number of mites visible on the slide if an active infection is present. Rhinoscopy, nasal flushing, radiographs, nasal biopsy, and routine blood testing may also be necessary to help diagnose the condition.

Causation

The mite lives inside the nasal passages, but some mites will travel to the outer edges of the nostril. The mites are very contagious and a healthy dog becomes infected when it has nose-to-nose contact with an infected dog. Infestation with the nasal mite is not frequently diagnosed, but should be considered as a cause of chronic sneezing, nosebleeds, or nasal discharge in dogs. Fortunately, if it is suspected, it is typically easily diagnosed and treated.

Treatments

icon AT-HOME CARE
Administer all medications as directed.
icon SUPPORTIVE CARE
None
icon MEDICATIONS
Treatment often consists of administering oral ivermectin. This is an off-label use of ivermectin in dogs, and the drug must be administered by or under the direct recommendation of a veterinarian. Selamectin and milbemycin oxime have also been effective at treating nasal mites in some cases. While many medications are often administered for ‘off-label’ or 'extra-label' use in veterinary medicine, it is important to know that off- or extra- label use of a medication can only be done by a veterinarian when there are no other more appropriate medications for a particular pet's circumstances. Your veterinarian must also know all vitamins, supplements, medications etc. your pet is taking to help avoid complications. You must also be sure to follow all instructions provided by your vet carefully and consult your veterinarian with any questions or concerns if they arise.
icon SURGERY
None
icon SPECIALISTS
A general practitioner veterinarian typically manages most cases of nasal mites and a specialist is not needed.

Cost Of Treatment

Veterinary expenses can vary widely for a variety of reasons, however, nasal mite infection can usually be treated for less than $300.

Recovery

Pets with nasal mites should recover with proper treatment. The pet should be separated from other pets until the condition has been treated to reduce the risk of further infestation. In cases where symptoms do not resolve with treatment, your veterinarian may do additional diagnostics to determine if a concurrent respiratory disease is present.

Monitoring

The pet should be monitored for resolution of signs. A follow-up examination may be recommended to ensure the parasite has been eradicated.

Prevention

Prevention includes keeping your dog out of contact with infected or stray dogs.

Questions about Nasal Mites

My dog I heated uses tampon is it an emergency

Unfortunately I'm having a little trouble understand your question as I'm not sure what you mean by "My dog I heated uses tampons..." I'm wondering if Bella ate a tampon or if you wanted to use one on her while she is in heat. I will answer both to be safe. If she ate a tampon, then yes this is a medical emergency and she has to see a vet now. Tampons can easily cause obstructions in the GI tract, especially since they are absorbent and can get large in the stomach from liquid in there. if Bella ate a tampon, you need to take her into a vet immediately to get it removed. If she is on heat, no you cannot use a tampon to control her bleeding. It's not safe to use at all, and are not meant for dogs. You can put a diaper on her to catch any bloody discharge. There are dog specific diapers online and at pets stores, or you can use one made of a human child. Just cut a hole in it for her tail. Hopefully this answers your question. If it doesn't, I'm sorry and ask you post again in the forum for free to it can get answered!

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I have a cat that as a kitten was very ill. We got him from 7 months old. We knew he’d had cat flu prior to him coming here. He is now nearly 5 yrs old. He picks huge fights with our other cat. He keeps urinating and scratching at doors and windows around the house. We allow him to go out via the cat flap unlimited. What is happening to him

I'm glad to see that Pippin has been neutered because this eliminates that possibility of hormone-fueled behavioral changes and aggression. Behavioral changes in cats can occur at any point in time, and could be related to anxiety or stressful situations (even rearranging furniture or introducing new people to the home can be stressful to cats). Without a lot more information and observing Pippin's behaviors, I can't precisely tell you why these changes are occurring. It may be best to consult a veterinary behaviorist in your home so that they can observe everything firsthand. You can also try using calming pheromone collars or diffusers (Feliway is one example), and discussing the use of anxiety medication with Pippin's vet. I hope that all goes well!

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Hi! My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He’s taking insulin and taking antibiotics for a Uti. It’s been 4 weeks and he wobles when he’s walking. He can’t jump up on the bed like he used to.He’s blood sugar is 250 it’s better than it used to. I don’t understand why he’s so wobbly.

Cats can develop what's called diabetic neuropathy, where their hindlegs become progressively weak. The best thing to do is try to get his diabetes under control as quickly as possible. Here is a link describing the conditon: http://www.diabeticcatcare.com/DCCCOK/Neuropathy.htm

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My senior cat has metastized cancer.17 yrs old. My vet gave her predizone1 and one half tabs a day.i wanted to know if i can just stop the meds.

Is there a reason you want to stop the prednisone? I would recommend not stopping it and if you feel it is better to stop the prednisone then I would recommend weaning off of the prednisone. I would discuss how to wean the prednisone with your veterinarian. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.

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My dog has an ear infection

Sorry to hear Marley isn't doing so well with his ears. It is not possible to tell from tge picture tve exact nature of the irritation but if it is indeed infected (typically red, hot, painful and smelly), he will need prescription medication from his regular vet. In the meantime I recommend gently cleaning tge outer war with cotton wool and a pet safe ear cleaner to reduce the build up of wax/discharge

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My dog vomited a pinkish colour. Does this look like blood vomit? She doesn’t have diarrhoea or anything else. Yesterday i fed her plain chicken with rice.

That is very red vomit, however, this color could be linked to a number of things including blood in the vomit, inflammation of the GI tract, having chewed on a toy this color, eaten a food item this color, or gotten into a plant or other item this color. If the vomiting continues, worsens, or other symptoms appear such as a painful or bloated abdomen, diarrhea or blood in the stool, or severe distress, I would schedule a veterinary appointment right away to rule out more severe issues. In the meantime I would continue the bland diet for 24 hours, and monitor for any additional vomiting or illness symptoms.

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Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is for educational purposes only. This medication should only be given under the advice of a veterinarian who has examined your pet under the laws applicable to your state of residence.