Other dogs may develop a chronic nasal discharge from the infection. The mite lives inside the nasal passages but some mites will travel to the outer edges of the nostril. A healthy dog becomes infected when it has nose to nose contact with an infected dog. If the infection causes symptoms the mite can be diagnosed by taking a swab of the nasal passage and viewing it under a microscope. There are usually a large number of mites visible on the microscope slide if an active infection is present.
Treatment is very straightforward and consists of administering oral ivermectin .
This is an off-label use of ivermectin in dogs, and the drug must be administered by or under the direct recommendation of a veterinarian. Prevention includes keeping your dog out of contact with infected or stray dogs. Pneumonyssoides caninum only infests dogs. Summary Infestation with this mite is not frequently diagnosed but should be considered as a cause of chronic sneezing, nosebleeds, or nasal discharge in dogs. Fortunately if it is suspected it is easily diagnosed and treated.