Dog Cold Symptom

"Dog Cold Symptom (s) vary based on the cause of the respiratory infection. Common symptoms include congestion, sneezing or cough. "

Dogs get a variety of respiratory infections, including viruses that resemble the common cold that humans get. They don�t get the same virus as humans, though.

Dog cold symptom may include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and runny eyes. These are symptoms of many respiratory illnesses dogs can get, including:

Parainfluenza: This is a highly contagious respiratory illness, characterized by chronic coughing and sneezing.

Canine Kennel Cough: This is a raspy cough that brings up phlegm. It is often caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica, but may be caused by other viruses and infections as well.

Adenovirus type-2: This virus causes cold-like symptoms and can also cause kennel cough.

Pneumonia: If untreated, colds and other viruses and respiratory infections may develop into pneumonia. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, characterized by coughing and difficulty breathing.

Distemper: With this illness, cold symptoms are often accompanied by gastro-intestinal symptoms. Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, since it is a severe illness and has a high mortality rate.

These types of infections usually run their course in 10 to 14 days.

Dog Cold Symptom Diagnosis

Puppies and older dogs should see a veterinarian for dog cold symptom diagnosis and treatment if they have symptoms of a respiratory illness. Adult dogs that are in good general health can be treated at home as long as symptoms are not too severe.

Your vet will do a complete physical examination of your dog and may do some blood work as well. He or she may also take a chest x-ray if your dog�s breathing is very congested to look for pneumonia.

Dog Cold Symptom Treatment

Your veterinarian may prescribe an antibiotic in case your dog is suffering from a bacterial infection. If it is a viral infection, the antibiotic won�t help, but even if it is a virus, secondary bacterial infections often set in once the immune system is depressed.

You can provide supportive measures to your pet at home. Keep your dog warm and dry. Especially limit time spent outdoors in cold weather, because the cold will cause the bronchial passages to constrict, making it hard for him to breathe. You can also run a vaporizer near your dog�s sleeping area to keep his bronchial tubes moistened.

We do not recommend giving your dog over the counter cough and cold medicines since they can easily be overdosed. You could give your dog some luke warm chicken soup which will be enjoyable for your pet and help keep them hydrated. You could also give your dog some relief by turning your bathroom into a steam room by running the shower very hot and then having your dog breath in the steam for 5 to 10 minutes. This will help loosen any congestion.

If you dog stops eating or if any coughing prevents sleep (for yourself or your dog), then visit a veterinarian.

Natural Dog Respitory Infection Remedies

Natural remedies can safely reduce your dog�s uncomfortable symptoms during an upper respiratory tract infection and possibly cut recovery time. They can also help to bolster the immune system..all without side effects. Herbs such as Calc. sulph. (D6), Ferrum phos., Hepar. Sulph. (12C), Verbascum thapsus (Mullein leaves) and Sambucus nigra (Elder flowers) are all good choices.

A good source for herbal supplements is Pet Alive Respo-K.

Sources

http://dogs.lovetoknow.com

Canine Influenza Virus Infection
Crawford, C., Dubovi, E., Donis, R., Castleman, W., Gibbs, E., Hill, R., Katz, J., Ferro, P., Anderson, T.

Click here for More on the Common Cold and Dog From Dog Cold Symptom to Dog Health Guide Home

footer for Dog Cold Symptom page