Puppy Cold Symptoms

Puppies can get cold-like symptoms, but they don't actually get the same virus that we associate with the human cold. Instead, there are various respiratory viruses and bacterial infections that dogs can get which have the same or similar symptoms. Some of these diseases are little to worry about, but others can be devastating and are best dealt with by having your puppy vaccinated, such as distemper. Kennel cough, which can be caused by multiple bacteria and viruses, can be a very bad disease, but also may be something that your puppy develops and gets over without you even noticing he had it. Most of the time these diseases should be gone between 14 and 20 days; if not, your dog needs to see a veterinarian.

  1. Coughing

    • Coughing is a symptom of many respiratory diseases, including kennel cough, parainfluenza, adenovirus type-2, pneumonia and distemper (dogs with distemper often have upset stomachs, as well). Chronic coughing is especially characteristic of kennel cough, parainfluenza and pneumonia, with the cough of kennel cough being phlegm-filled and having a "honking" sound.

    Discharge

    • Runny noses and eyes are also seen often in dogs with all types of respiratory diseases. A runny nose may or may not be accompanied by sneezing. These discharges are often how the contagions are spread from dog to dog. With kennel cough, the discharge is usually watery.

    Sneezing

    • Sneezing is one of the symptoms especially associated with parainfluenza, which is one of the diseases that can develop into kennel cough (adenovirus type-2 can also become kennel cough).

    Fever

    • Some dogs may also exhibit a fever, depending on the severity of the disease. With distemper, the fever can be intermittent. Fever may only show up in severe cases of kennel cough.

    Pneumonia

    • All of the respiratory diseases described above can develop into pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs if you don't catch the signs of the diseases early and have them treated. Signs that the infection may have developed into pneumonia are that your puppy may begin coughing if he hasn't been already, and will have a hard time breathing.

    Gastrointestinal

    • If your puppy has the cold symptoms outlined above, and is vomiting and/or has diarrhea, you should bring him to your veterinarian, as he may have distemper, which is a very serious disease with a high mortality rate.