Hydropulsion as a Diagnostic and Palliative Technique for Nasal Disease in Dogs

High-pressure saline hydropulsion is a minimally invasive diagnostic and palliative technique for nasal tumors, rhinitis, and foreign bodies in dogs when endoscopic biopsy is not feasible.From June to August 2024, four dogs presented with nasal discharge, sneezing, dyspnea, reverse sneezing, and cough and underwent hydropulsion.Three dogs (Cases 1, 2, and 3) received the procedure for diagnostic and symptomatic relief, while one (Case 4) underwent hydropulsion for foreign body removal.The procedure involved sealing the esophagus, securing the endotracheal tube cuff, blocking one nostril, and forcefully injecting 20-60 mL of saline into the opposite nostril.Tissue samples were successfully obtained from three dogs, leading to diagnoses of nasal adenocarcinoma, eosinophilic granuloma, and neutrophilic inflammation.The dog with a suspected foreign body recovered fully post-hydropulsion.This study suggests that hydropulsion is an effective, non-invasive method for obtaining biopsy samples and alleviating nasal obstruction caused by foreign bodies or inflammation.