What is Cold in Dogs?
Cold in pets is an illness that needs to be closely observed and dealt with in order to offer your furry friend as many healthy years as possible.
Can dogs catch colds? Yes, dogs can catch colds, and the symptoms are quite similar to human colds. Although, human viruses cannot be passed onto dogs and dog viruses cannot be passed on to humans.
Here’s everything you have to know about cold in dogs – how to prevent your pupfrom cold, the early signs or of cold that you should look out for, and what to do if you notice symptoms of cold in dogs.
Symptoms of Cold in Dogs
Cold can cause noticeable changes in your dog’s wellbeing and behaviour. Knowing the symptoms of Cold in dogs is the first step in protecting your pet’s wellbeing. If any of these signs apply to your pet, bring your canine to your local vet for a checkup:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Watery Eyes
- Runny Nose
- Congested Nose
Disclaimer: The information provided in this page is designed to help inform you of cold. It is not meant to replace the vet diagnosis or treatment for cold. If you have any questionsor concerns about your canine’s health or possible symptoms, be sure to get in touch with and consult with your vet right away.
The Main Causes of Cold in Dogs
To recognize and treat cold in dogs, you need to know the underlying causes of cold in dogs. This can help you prevent cold happening in the first place or again.
There are various causes of cold-like symptoms in dogs:
- Viruses like the parainfluenza virus
- Bacterial or parasitic infections like heart worms and round worms
- Fungal infections
- Allergies
Diagnosing Cold in Dogs
Nobody understands your dog better than you do and therefore it is important that your dog be examined thoroughly by a veterinarian annually.
If you think your dog has a cold, you should book a visit your local veterinarian. While most colds are not that harmful, it is worth checking to see if it is another disease or illness causing cold-like symptoms.
Your vet will run a physical exam listen to your dog's heart and lungs and may also perform some diagnostic tests (radiographs, fecal analysis and blood work) to ensure your pet doesn't have a more severe condition.
Talk to your veterinarian to understand more about the treatments for cold in dogs.
Preventing Cold in Dogs
Preventing cold in dogs is always more ideal than treating it, hence let’s explore ways to avoid cold in dogs rather than curing it.
To not to seem weak or vulnerable to predators, the innate survival instincts make canines hide diseases. This suggests thorough physical exams by a certified veterinarian are vital to keep your family pets healthy. Normally, blood and urine tests carried out by your vet are required to get the total understanding of your animal’s health. These preventive checks steps will detect any illness earlier making treatment more effective and less costly and, more importantly, will help your canine live a longer, healthier life.
For preventing colds in dogs there isn't much you can do apart from staying away from other sick dogs or cats, and keeping up to date on your pets vaccinations.
Treatment for Cold in Dogs
The treatment recommended by your vet will depend on the underlying cause of the cold symptoms. Mild colds will usually resolve on their own, whilst colds mistaken for infections like kennel cough will require further treatment. This could include rest, antibiotics, cough supressants, and fluids.
Contact your vet to learn more about the treatments for cold in dogs.