A 16-year-old Sheltie has left nostril pus for 6 months - Pt 2. Canine root abscess
Channel: Dr David Sing
Date: 17/04/2016

Sat Apr 16, 2016
A rare case of canine tooth abscess in a 16-year-old Sheltie. One month ago, my clinic vet prescribed antibiotics for the left nasal discharge. The discharge had been present for at least 6 months but was said to be old. 

The dog objected to me opening his mouth esp. the left side. I suspected an abscess from the root of the left upper canine tooth. So I prescribed better quality antibiotics for 10 days and to come for extraction of the left upper canine teeth. If my hypothesis is correct, the dog has a canine tooth abscess which had penetrated into the nasal passage. The bacteria provoked pus which dribbled out continuously from the left nostril. 

Blood test showed the dog was healthy generally. There were heart murmurs  and so the couple in their 50s did not want anaesthesia which would kill the dog. There was no guarantee that the dog would not die on the operating table. 

I told the owners that I had no anaesthetic death in old dog dental scaling and extraction. Of course, this dog is old and has heart disease. So, I cannot guarantee. Failure to remove the infected loose left upper canine will lead to persistent nasal discharge and then pneumonia which will kill the dog. 
After much consideration, the wife decided on the dental procedures.The left upper canine tooth was loose and easily extracted. Red blood oozed out from the left nostril indicating that there was a hole (sinus) from the decayed root of the left upper canine to the nasal passage. The dog went home and the owners are most happy. I expect the dog to live another 2 years as the dog is healthy and in good bodily condition. The coughing due to heart disease can be controlled using heart medication and so the old dog can live long.

Yearly dental check up and scaling in dogs would have prevented this dental challenge but some Singapore dog owners have heard of dogs dying from anaesthesia and so prefer not to do dental scaling or ask the groomer to do it.