Cold Symptoms in Dogs

Causes

• Parainfluenza virus is a virus that causes a particularly nasty upper-respiratory infection in dogs and puppies. Parainfluenza is contagious to other dogs as well as cats.

  "Kennel Cough" is a common name for a problem most often caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica. The cold that results from contact with this bacteria is often moderate to severe in symptoms and is easily transmittable to other dogs through the inhalation or ingestion of mucous or particulates coughed up by another infected canine. While kennel cough is not always caused by the Bordatella bacteria, it almost always has some of the same symptoms.

  Rarer causes of canine colds include Adenovirus Type-2, which is relatively harmless, and canine distemper, which is not a true cold, but a serious infection that is often fatal if left untreated.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

• No matter what the cause of the cold, a dog will almost always have similar symptoms. Coughing, wheezing, sneezing and discharge from the eyes and nose are common.

  The type of cough, whether it sounds dry and hacking or wet and phlegm-filled can help a veterinarian diagnose the cause of the cold as well as determine the severity and the risk for the dog to become infected with a secondary disease. A full physical examination as well as chest X-rays and other tests may be performed to ensure that a proper diagnosis is made so that proper treatment may begin.

Treatment

• If the cause of the cold is bacterial, your veterinarian may prescribe a course of antibiotics for your dog. In certain instances, even if the cause of the cold is determined to be viral, antibiotics will be administered as a precautionary measure against secondary infections. Viruses create vulnerabilities within the immune system that allow bacteria the dog could normally defend himself against to cause problems.

  Your veterinarian may also recommend a humidifier or dehumidifier, depending on the symptoms. Dogs with dry hacking coughs may benefit from a more moist environment; those who are wet and have copious discharge may benefit from a reduction of humidity in their environment. These methods help ease the severity of the symptoms of a canine cold and may increase the comfort of your dog as he recovers from his illness.

Precautions

• Giving your dog over-the-counter cough and cold medicines formulated for humans is not recommended. While some may be effective, it is easy to overdose an animal. Some chemicals may also be harmful to your dog. To ensure proper care, it is best to see a veterinarian about any concerns.

  If your dog does not seem to be feeling better within one to two weeks or exhibits signs of lethargy, loss of appetite, worsening of symptoms, refusal to drink water, dizziness or coma, these signs should be treated as cause for a medical emergency and should be handled as such. If any of these occur, seek emergency veterinary medical treatment.

Prevention

• During the recovery of your dog from a cold, it is important to thoroughly disinfect and clean surfaces. Depending on the cause of the cold, if steps are not taken to rid the environment of the bacteria or virus, then your dog may be at risk for re-infecting herself. Wipe down non-porous surfaces with a diluted surfactant, such as chlorine bleach. Wash your dog's bedding and carpeting with a solution of 1:10 bleach and water, if possible. Laundry should be cleaned in hot water, again, with bleach or a viable alternative. Vacuum or mop thoroughly.