The nose is perhaps the most important sense organ for a dog.
An animal learns about the world through smells, and therefore, if it loses them for some reason, it feels bad.
Let's figure out what causes this and what symptoms indicate problems with the sense of smell.
Causes of loss of smell
There are several reasons why a pet may lose its sense of smell.
For example, a dog could have sniffed household chemicals or gotten frostbite on its nose during a walk, or inhaled a foreign body or contracted rhinitis or another infection that affects its sense of smell.
There are cases when a pet loses its sense of smell due to problems with the brain structures responsible for it. In these cases, the chances of returning the sense are often minimal.
When is it time to go to the vet?
If you suspect your pet is having trouble smelling, it's time to see a vet when your dog:
- has no appetite and is losing weight;
- does not want to approach other familiar dogs;
- cannot find a treat that has fallen on the floor and does not respond to a bowl of his favorite food;
- breathes through the mouth frequently.
