You may not know it, but dogs can also catch colds and suffer from viral or bacterial infections. Most often, a dog’s cold occurs due to contact with an already cold or infected dog, but there are various other ways. In this text, you will learn more about the common cold in dogs, the symptoms of the common cold in dogs and possible treatment.
If you are a dog owner yourself or if you are planning to get this pet, then this topic will surely interest you and can be of great help to you. Cold symptoms in dogs If you are wondering how you can know if your dog has a cold or not, now we will best explain it to you.
There are certain symptoms that can be helpful and that can clearly indicate whether it is a cold. One of the most common symptoms that can indicate a cold in your dog is a dry and very loud cough. That cough will probably seem as if your dog has choked, that is, something is standing in his throat and bothering him. The cough can come from the dog’s throat, but it can also come deep from the lungs.
It depends on the stage of the cold. However, the most common causes of cough in a dog are tracheitis or laryngitis. This happens if your dog has eaten cold food or if he has consumed excessively cold water. Inflammation of the larynx and cough can also occur due to inhalation of cold air.
It often happens that a white discharge from the dog’s mouth appears as a symptom of a cold and as a consequence of a cough. Namely, the mucus reaches the dog’s stomach and it irritates him, so after coughing that mucus is expelled. As for the frequency of coughing in cold dogs, we can say that it occurs several times a day, but mostly when the dog is excited about something. Another common symptom that clearly indicates that your dog has a cold is the weakness of the dog, or the inability of the dog to move and be active.
If your dog was very lively until recently and was always happy to play with you, if he ran around the yard and looked forward to any action, then you will definitely notice by his behavior that something is wrong. Your dog will feel very weak in the body and will be exhausted. Because of that, he will not be able to move actively and you will see that he lacks strength and energy. It is also one of the main symptoms of the common cold in dogs. In addition, there can often be fever, but also a sudden loss of appetite.
If you notice that your dog has been refusing food for some time and if he eats less than usual, then it is very likely that it is a cold. Your dog will refuse food because it will bother him to swallow anything when his throat is inflamed. In addition, if a fever occurs, then it is necessary to take the dog to the vet as soon as possible, in order to avoid further complications.
These would be some of the most common cold symptoms in dogs, but there are certainly some rarer symptoms, such as sneezing and runny nose. You may notice that your dog has only one nostril leaking, and sometimes it can be a leak from both nostrils at the same time. In any case, it is an obvious symptom of a cold. Another of the rarer symptoms of the common cold in dogs, but which should certainly not be ignored, is herpes, which can occur on the outside of the mouth.
If you notice herpes in your dog, we definitely recommend that you take it to the vet because it is very possible that it is a cold. These would be common cold symptoms in dogs, and now we will tell you a little more about how a cold can be treated and what measures you can take.
Treatment of colds in dogs Thus, colds in dogs as well as in humans can be successfully treated. If you have noticed that your dog has some of the symptoms we talked about, then you should take your dog to the vet. The vet will best determine if your dog is really suffering from a cold and how best you can cure that cold. In addition, the veterinarian will prescribe the exact dose of medication that suits your dog.
Your veterinarian will usually prescribe antibiotics and vitamins to help boost your dog’s immunity. After you have taken your dog to the vet and received the appropriate therapy, you need to take some more measures that will help treat the cold. First of all, it is necessary that your dog does not come into contact with some other dogs during the treatment period, because that could make the cold even worse.
In addition, it is recommended that you do not take your dog for a walk if it is too cold outside. Remember that it is not good to expose a cold dog to low temperatures. If you do decide to go for a walk or for some other reason you have to take a cold dog outside, then you have to keep it warm so that the condition does not get worse.
The next very important step in treating a cold, both humans and animals, is to keep the room where the person with the cold, or in this case, the dog, is well ventilated. You need to ventilate the room regularly, so that the air is always fresh and so that your pet gets enough oxygen.
Keep in mind that air that is stuffy can make a cold even worse and make it harder for your dog to recover. If your dog has a cold, it is understood that you should include products that are rich in vitamins and minerals in his diet. Various dietary supplements can be found that contain these important nutrients. During colds and cold days, you need to strengthen your dog’s immunity, so that he regains his strength and so that he can recover as soon as possible. You have to keep in mind that nutrition is a very important factor for the overall health of your dog.
If you do not take enough care of his diet, if his diet is always the same and if it is not rich in vitamins and proteins, then your dog’s immune system will never be strong enough, so your dog will be prone to frequent colds. That’s why you need to take a lot of care of your dog’s diet, not only when he has a cold but also when he is healthy.
Strengthening the immune system is necessary for your dog to always be resistant to diseases and to feel good. In case of a cold, it is especially recommended to give your dog honey with propolis, which has proven to be very effective primarily in the fight against cough. These would be some of the basic tips on how you can help your dog stay healthy again and the cold pass as quickly as possible.
We hope that with the help of these practical tips, you will be able to cure your pet. However, if your veterinarian finds that your dog’s cold has progressed or occurs frequently, then it may be best to check your dog’s blood count. Based on the blood picture, you will know exactly which vitamins and minerals your dog lacks and what it takes for your pet to be healthy and full of energy again.
In addition, keep in mind that a dog’s cold must be treated in time, because if left untreated, it can also lead to pneumonia. All in all, if you notice that your dog has the symptoms we mentioned, don’t wait, rather than take the dog to the vet as soon as possible. The sooner you start treating your dog, the sooner he will recover and be ready to play again.
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