Do dogs get colds? You may not know, but dogs can also get cold and suffer from viral or bacterial infections. Most often, a cold comes from contact with an already cold or infected dog, but there are various other ways.
In this article, you will learn more about colds in dogs, symptoms of colds in dogs, and possible treatment. If you are a dog owner yourself or are planning to get this pet, then this topic will certainly interest you and can be of great help.
Symptoms of colds in dogs
If you are wondering what you can know if your dog has a cold or not, now we will explain it best. There are certain symptoms that can be helpful and that can clearly indicate if it is a cold.
One of the most common symptoms that can indicate your dog’s cold is a dry and very loud cough. That cough is likely to act as if your dog has a bite or something in his throat that bothers him. Cough can originate from the throat of a dog, but it can also come deep from the lungs. It depends on what stage the cold has developed.
However, the most common causes of coughing in a dog are trachea or larynx. This happens if your dog has eaten cold food or consumed excessively cold water. Laryngeal inflammation and coughing can also be caused by the inhalation of cold air.
It often happens that a white discharge from a dog’s mouth occurs as a symptom of a cold and as a result of a cough. Namely, mucus reaches the dog’s stomach and it irritates it, so after coughing, that mucus is thrown out. Regarding the incidence of cough 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 cold is the inability of the dog, or the inability to move the dog and be active. If your dog until recently was very lively and always happy to play with you, if he was running around the yard and looking forward to any action, then by his behavior you will certainly notice that something is wrong.
Your dog will feel severe weakness in the body and will be exhausted. Because of this, he will not be able to actively move and you will see that he lacks strength and energy. It is also one of the main symptoms of colds in dogs.
In addition, fever can often occur, as well as a sudden loss of appetite. If you notice that your dog has been rejecting food for some time and is eating 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 sore. In addition, if a fever occurs, it is necessary to take the dog to the vet as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
These would be some of the most common cold symptoms in dogs, but there are also some more common symptoms, such as sneezing and runny nose. You may notice that your dog is leaking only one nostril, and sometimes it can be a leak from both nostrils at a time. In any case, it is a clear symptom of a cold.
Another common symptom of colds in dogs, but one that should certainly not be ignored, is herpes, which can occur on the outside of the mouth. If you notice herpes in your dog, we strongly recommend that you take it to the vet because it is very likely that it is a cold.
These would be common symptoms of colds in dogs, and now we will tell you a little more about how colds can be treated and what measures you can take.
Treatment of colds in dogs
Therefore, colds in dogs can be successfully treated as well as in humans. If you notice that your dog has some of the symptoms we discussed, 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 to cure that cold.
In addition, your veterinarian will prescribe you a specific dose of medication that is appropriate for your dog. The vet will generally prescribe antibiotics and vitamins to help boost your dog’s immunity.
After you have taken your dog to the vet and received proper therapy, you need to take some other measures that will help treat your cold. First of all, it is important that your dog does not come in contact with other dogs during the treatment period as this could aggravate the cold. In addition, it is advisable not to take the dog for a walk if it is too cold outside.
Remember that it is not good for a cold dog to be exposed to cold temperatures. If you do decide to walk, or for some other reason, you need to bring a cold dog outside, then you need to warm it well so that the condition does not get worse.
The next very important step in treating colds for both humans and animals is to keep the room in which the cold person, or in this case, the dog, is well ventilated. You must regularly clean the room so that the air is always fresh and your pet receives enough oxygen. Keep in mind that stuffy air can aggravate the cold and make it harder for your dog to recover.
If your dog is cold, it is also a good idea to include foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals in his diet. Various nutritional supplements can be found that contain these important nutrients.
During cold and cold days, you need to strengthen your dog’s immunity, in order to regain strength and to heal as soon as possible. You need to keep in mind that nutrition is a very important factor for your dog’s overall health.
If you do not take good care of his diet, if his diet is always the same and 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 have to take a lot of care in your dog’s diet, not only when he is cold but also when he is healthy. Strengthening the immune system is essential in order for your dog to always be resistant to disease and to feel good.
In the case of a cold, it is especially recommended that you give your dog honey with Propolis, which has proven to be very effective, first and foremost in combating cough.
These are some basic tips for helping your dog stay healthy again and get the cold out as fast as possible. We hope that with the help of these practical tips you will be able to cure your pet.
However, if the veterinarian finds that your dog’s cold is advanced or is recurrent, then it may be best to check the dog’s blood count. Based on your blood count, you will know exactly what vitamins and minerals your dog lacks and what it takes to keep your pet healthy and energized again
In addition, keep in mind that a dog’s cold must be treated promptly, because if left untreated, it can also lead to pneumonia. All in all, if you notice that your dog has the symptoms we mentioned, do not wait but take the dog to the vet first. The sooner you start treating the dog, the sooner they will recover and be ready to play again.
