You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Most animals breath through their noses rather than through their mouths. Usually an owner can not hear breathing, except possibly a feint sigh-like noise as air moves through the nasal chambers. However, sometimes an obvious nasal sound (a snore) can be heard each time the animal breathes in or out.

If there is a loud noise - or snoring - when air moves through the nose - and the nose sounds "blocked" it is because the spaces within the nose through which the air usually moves are narrowed or obstructed. There are many causes of "blocked noses" including :

• Fluid within the nasal cavity - for example pus associated with a microbial infection
• Thickening of the lining of the nose due to inflammation
• The presence of a foreign body within the nasal cavity - eg grass awns may be sniffed up from the environment
• The presence of a tumour
• Narrowing of the nasal passages following trauma - eg fracture of the nasal bones

The presence or absence of a discharge down the nose may help with the diagnosis because if one is present a sample can be taken for analysis, and it will also help to indicate whether the problem just affects one side of the nose or both - in which case the discharge will be from both nostrils..

It is important to get an accurate diagnosis of the cause of a blocked nose so that the correct treatment can be given. Some infections, such as aspergillus, can be very difficult to treat whereas others respond quickly to antibiotics. If infection is secondary to a foreign body up the nose the foreign material must be removed before the infection will clear up. Preventative vaccines are available against some of the respiratory infections (eg Cat Flu) that can cause chronic nasal infections.

To assist with diagnosis vets usually take XRays of the nose, and sometimes pass a small light source up the nose to have a look at the cavities. In the case of longstanding infections, foreign bodies or tumours surgery may be needed to open up the nose to gain access to the diseased area so that treatment can be given locally.

Other signs associated with nasal obstruction include :

• Sneezing
• Bloody discharges down the nose (called nosebleeds or epistaxis)
• Reluctance to exercise - because of the difficulty breathing
• Loud snoring when asleep
• Pawing at the nose - if there is irritation or pain
• Rubbing the nose - if there is irritation or pain
• Tears may overflow from the eyes if the tear ducts that lead to the nose are also blocked
• Distortion of the nose - eg twisting or a large swelling. This is most often associated with a tumour.

If you have an animal that shows any of the signs typical of a blocked nose you should take it to your veterinarian as soon as possible so that an early, accurate diagnosis can be made. 

Updated October 2013