Canine chronic idiopathic rhinitis: management and outcome - a single-centre retrospective observational study

Canine chronic idiopathic rhinitis is a common cause of nasal disease in dogs but data reporting outcomes following treatment is lacking. The aim was to describe pre- and post-referral management and outcomes of dogs diagnosed with canine chronic idiopathic rhinitis at a single referral centre.

Retrospective review of medical records (signalment, clinical signs, treatments prior to referral, investigations, response to therapy and outcomes) of 75 client-owned dogs diagnosed with canine chronic idiopathic rhinitis between December 2018 and 2023.

Forty-one males and 34 females were included. Duration of clinical signs prior to referral was 104 days [3 to 1954] and only 11/75 dogs had not received antibiotics. Tomography revealed destructive rhinitis in 54/75 dogs. After referral, the most common first-line treatment was non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (46/75). Sixty-seven cases were followed up for 237 days [14 to 1701]. Forty-six, 25 and 13 dogs underwent a second, third and fourth treatment trial, respectively. Antibiotics were the most used second trial agent (25/46), and corticosteroids the most common third (16/25). Outcomes were available for 63 dogs. At final recorded contact, 14/63 cases were in remission, 38/63 were considered improved, 9/63 had static disease and 2/63 had worse disease. Three cases were euthanased due to canine chronic idiopathic rhinitis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were significantly associated with clinical improvement after initial treatment trial (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.1 to 8.5; P=.04).

Dogs diagnosed with canine chronic idiopathic rhinitis received variable therapies, including frequent antibiotics. Administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as first-line treatment was associated with improved outcomes in this cohort of dogs.