A Cumbrian vet is warning dog owners not to ignore sneezing fits after finding a six-centimetre reed stem stuck up a labrador’s nose.
The seven-year-old dog called Johnny was rushed to Paragon Veterinary Group in Dalston after starting to sneeze uncontrollably while out on a walk.
Vet Laura Binnie removed the culprit – a section of moorland rush stem – after using an endoscope to look inside his nostrils.
“It’s not as uncommon as you might think for dogs to get a foreign body like a twig or stem stuck inside a nostril,” said Laura.
“Often the owner will not have seen it happen, and there will be nothing visible from the outside, but a foreign body must be removed by a veterinary surgeon as soon as possible.”
Johnny’s owner, Kath Smart of Caldbeck, said: “He was sniffing about in some reeds when he suddenly jumped out sneezing.
“He was sneezing so hard he couldn’t walk properly, and it carried on for about 15 minutes. I called my husband to come and pick us up in the car and we went straight to Paragon.”
Laura says: “When I saw Johnny, I knew we were dealing with a foreign body up his nostril.
“Poor chap, he sneezed so much blood was coming from his right nostril. His face was slightly contorted, and he was closing his right eye. He looked so uncomfortable.
“I admitted him for examination under general anaesthetic. There was nothing obvious at the opening to the nostril but as I pushed the scope gently deeper it was met with a foreign object and lo and behold there was a reed up there, about 6cm long, sitting tucked up behind the soft tissues in the nose.
“It would never have come out by itself no matter how hard he sneezed. I managed to get hold of it with the scope and gently guided it back out.”
Laura added; “If your dog shows any signs of persistent sneezing or discomfort take them to your vet. If foreign bodies are not treated, they can cause infection, inflammation or further damage.”
