[Patricia A]

Taylor your dog is blessed to have you as her owner. You’re doing everything you can.

You mentioned dental work for tooth decay. Can you please mention this to your vet and see if this fits her symptoms. I came across tons of posts with the unilateral discharge with tooth decay and treatment. ORAL FISTULA and it does fit her symptoms.

Oronasal Fistula

An oronasal fistula is an opening or communication between the oral and nasal cavity. This occurs secondary to periodontal disease or loss of any maxillary (upper) teeth, most commonly the canine tooth. Signs of this condition include sneezing, nasal discharge, and bad breath odor.

Oronasal fistula needs to be evaluated with dental x-rays for impacted tooth/root structures. Surgical repair is accomplished with a gingival flap, debridement of the site, preservation of blood supply to the flap and tension-free closure of the site for good healing.
written on one of many forums Typically oronasal fistulas are repaired once the local infection has cleared, some of the tissue has healed, and some granulation (scar) tissue has had time to fill in. Some (smaller) ones will self-correct (fill in with granulation tissue on their own). Typically except with HUGE ones, you can’t see up into the nasal cavity, rather they are detected by chronic nasal discharge, small amounts of food or debris reaching the nostrils, etc. Because they are located above (ahead of) the pharynx, having an oronasal fistula is not typically much of a risk for creating aspiration. So, talk to your vet, have it evaluated, and have it repaired at the appropriate time. Like so many things, this is one procedure where you would want to ask your vet very directly what their success rate is in fixing them, and possibly ask for a referral. Performing the surgical flaps that allow these to close correctly is not difficult, but it is often outside the range of training of the average vet. The rate of surgical failure if very high if you don’t know exactly what you are doing. Good luck.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by Patricia A.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by Patricia A.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by Patricia A.