Just took my girl to the vet, she has a URI. She had more nasal congestion yesterday but now some clear discharge when she sneezes. No coughing

I was just wondering if there any tricks to make her more comfortable. Vet gave her antibiotic (though its prob viral) and said we could try benadryl. I guess I cant use Vicks

Any chance you have a humidifier? I had this happen years ago and it ended up being bacteria in the humidifier that was attached to the heat/central air system and had not been cleaned out correctly. Kind of like legionaires disease. Just a thought.
Traci

Try a pan of water on the stove. Let it simmer. It works like a vaporizer.

Is it one nostril or both? If the nasal congestion doesn't clear up you might have your Vet check to see if your dog has a some sort of plant material in it's nose.....A friend/co-worker had a problem with her Dachshund having nasal congestion that would come and go. It got better for a while during a course of antibiotics and then would return. She eventually had the dog put under anesthesia in order to have a closer look at the sinuses and low and behold there was a long blade of plant fiber way up the nose. Once it was removed the problem resolved. Just a thought. Good luck!

Definately have the vet check - it may be Aspergillosis and early treatment of this is important.

As i said in my original post, she went to the vet and has an upper respiratory infection. If her nose does not clear up I will of course go to the next step of nasal scopes and cultures of the nose. But at this point my vet feels as though its a doggie cold and did not recommend to go to extreme measures. I just wanted to try to help her breathe out her nose easier without that snotty sound. I think I might try one of those Vicks plug ins near where i crate her.

Definitely have her checked out thoroughly - we lost a Golden to aspergillosis and his death could have been prevented if the specialist didn't think she was "God".

Sorry to butt in again but a $3400 rhinoscopy did not pick up aspergillosis on our dog and he is now dead! If she doesn't respond to whatever her current treatment is, push for more indepth treatment....please.

Carol, I am sorry for the lost of your dog and I will consider this if she doesnt get better. I have had experience with this is parrots but not dogs. How did they diagnose the aspergillosis?? How long did it take from first symptoms to death so I understand how fast it progressed in your Golden.

She seems to be progressing like a URI, yesterday stuffy breathing, today sneezing and some discharge but no more stuffies! But if she is still sick in a couple days back we will go

The final diagnosis was made on necropsy. His symptoms started in January - runny nose, sneezing. He was tried initially on antibiotics which did nothing. A nasal swab showed fungal growth and he was put on antifungal agents for 3 months with only minimal improvement. Finally sent to specialist hospital in May for rhinoscopy. Nasal x-rays were normal at that time but rhinoscopy showed "abnormal nasal passages". The "vet" at the specialty hospital did not think it was aspergillosis and sent him home on antibiotics - worst thing in the world for a fungal infection! He then started to experience severe nose bleeds and finally the infection abscessed out through his "forehead". June 9th, he had to be euthanized and his face was not pretty.
I don't want to scare you but if I ever get another dog with a runny nose that doesn't respond to conventional treatment quickly, I will push for further testing to rule out aspergillosis 100% before it gets out of control.

Thanks Carol for sharing your heartache. If she is not better within the week that will be the first thing we rule out!

Stuffy
I would not put vicks on your dogs nose because it might be more irritation. You can however sprinkle Eucalyptus oil all over the bedding and in the crate. it is the main ingredient in vicks and very effective. You have to replce it daily because it evaporates but it is safe and you can be liberal with it.
You can buy it in the health store or pharmacy, it will be on the shelf with the essential oils and homeopathic remedies.
I used succesfully with my dogs and when I have a cold I cover my pillow with it.