Breathing sounds like nose is stuffed?
Hi there, I'm new to this forum and I'm also a new mama to a 3 month old mini bull terrier named Royce 
I noticed Royce sometimes breathes like he has mucus in his nose...sleeping & awake. I'm not sure if it's because of the BIXBI peanut butter treats we recently started giving him? Before we tried the BIXBI peanut butter we were giving him the BIXBI chicken treats and he wasn't breathing like that...He also sometimes gags out of nowhere then acts normal. He doesn't behave any differently, great appetite, pees & poos normally, playful, naps etc... we also take him with us when we go to pet stores when we need to buy stuff for him. We don't put him on the ground yet because he doesn't have all his shots yet.
We do however let him go potty outside... but we have puppy wipes and wipe his paws right away.
Could he be allergic to peanut butter or could it be something else? Someone please help!
I noticed Royce sometimes breathes like he has mucus in his nose...sleeping & awake. I'm not sure if it's because of the BIXBI peanut butter treats we recently started giving him? Before we tried the BIXBI peanut butter we were giving him the BIXBI chicken treats and he wasn't breathing like that...He also sometimes gags out of nowhere then acts normal. He doesn't behave any differently, great appetite, pees & poos normally, playful, naps etc... we also take him with us when we go to pet stores when we need to buy stuff for him. We don't put him on the ground yet because he doesn't have all his shots yet.
We do however let him go potty outside... but we have puppy wipes and wipe his paws right away.
Could he be allergic to peanut butter or could it be something else? Someone please help!
Comments
I don't know, if this is the case in this story, it could be something completely different, I'm no expert, but ...
I've heard of dogs - not only Bull Terriers - especially young ones, experiencing breathing problems due an enlarged soft palate. For all I know this is kind of a birth defect and could lead to mild or severe breathing problems. Sometimes this problem needs surgical correction.
To be sure what your little one is dealing with here, I would recommend to see the vet and have it checked out.
It's less about the assumption that it could be a respiratory tract issue - although that's quite obvious even without being a vet.
It is more about the further prognosis: If it continues, he will prescribe antibiotics.
Does he suspect some kind of bacterial infection in the respiratory area? Because otherwise I don't understand why antibiotics. And most of all, IF suspected and he thinks antibiotics are the cure, I don't get it why he is not giving them right now, instead of waiting for things to become worse.
I don't know how you feel about this vet visit and I was not present during the exam.
But if he really just left me with the information you wrote down here, I myself would feel uncomfortable with this vet.
I visit the vet to get clarity, information, a diagnosis or at least a good strategy how we'll get there.
This, the way it sounds here, to me feels like you have been charged for nothing.
Somehow I feel sorry that I said something, because I feel it does not really help you in this situation.
What I can really recommend though - just as philsergeant does - don't stop worrying until the issue is resolved. The dog is not making those noises for no reason. You are absolutely right trying to figure out what's going on!
What I meant regarding antibiotics was: Many vets - just as human doctors - are very quickly reaching into the antibiotics shelf, often not telling people that antibiotics are a two-faced issue. On the one hand they help, on the other hand they put a lot of stress on the already weakened body.
Therefore the use of them should be considered very carefully and they should never be administered without making sure first that bacteria/ infection is actually in place and antibiotics are necessary.
On the other hand, the doctor seems to be suspecting infection/ inflammation being present and is even considering to administer antibiotics. So I guess he thinks there must be something going on.
I find it kind of odd, based on that first guess, to eventually decide to do nothing and send the patient home without any kind of treatment, not even a real diagnosis ... and basically recommend to wait it out, as it sounds to me ... seemingly implying that there's nothing to worry much about. And if problems should arise, antibiotics will fix them. That sounds a little too easy to me.
I hope you get what I am trying to say. That decision just feels ... contradictory to me.
But, like I also said, I was not there and I guess/ hope that it sure made a lot more sense for you what he told you and explained when you were there in person and spoke with him.
IF it really smells foul or bad, it is probably best to look into the nutrition of your pup first and see, if it eats the right stuff.
Because in general the best way to fight bad breath is t look for the causes and not just mask them with flavors.
The wrong nutrition can put stress on the stomach and guts, which can lead to bad breath and other issues.