Colds in dogs

Dogs can catch a cold just like us. Typical symptoms include coughing, purulent discharge from the nostrils, sneezing and shortness of breath. Although home remedies can help, you should always plan a visit to the vet.

Symptoms of a cold in dogs

The symptoms of a cold in dogs are not dissimilar to ours. They mainly affect the nose, throat and eyes. There may only be one or two symptoms or several at the same time.

The following symptoms are among the most common signs of a cold in dogs:

• Nasal discharge
• coughing
• Rattling
• Purulent mucus
• Increased body temperature
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Tiredness
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite

How does a dog catch a cold?

A cough and cold can be a classic cold that the dog has caught due to cold weather. However, they can also be symptoms of another illness. It is therefore important to take the dog to a vet. He can examine the dog to determine what could have caused the cold or what the underlying illness is.

The following causes are possible:

• Cold due to cold weather
• Draughts
• Wet coat
• Infection from a conspecific
• Kennel cough
• Distemper
• Liver inflammation
• Fungal infection (aspergillosis)
• Bacterial or viral infection
• pneumonia
• Tumor
  
  

What to do if your dog has a cold?

If your dog is suffering from the symptoms mentioned above, you should always consult your vet. This is because the cause may not just be a cold, but could be due to a serious illness with serious consequences. This could, for example, lead to a harmless upper respiratory tract disease spreading to the lower respiratory tract and resulting in pneumonia or bronchitis. If your dog is visibly ill, you should not put off a visit to the vet any longer.

What treatment does the doctor give for a cold?

Due to the many possible causes of a cold, the vet must first examine the dog carefully. As the dog's owner, you can help to investigate the cause by naming the dog's symptoms and telling the doctor if you have any suspicions as to how the cold may have occurred. Nevertheless, extensive examinations may be necessary.

It is important to be able to rule out certain diseases that may even require surgery. A swab test can help, as can taking a temperature, a blood test and possibly an X-ray examination. Depending on this, the dog will be given certain medication and, in the case of a bacterial cause, probably also an antibiotic.

What home remedies are there if the dog has a cold?

If your dog has a severe cold, you should always consult a vet. However, there are a few other things you can do to make your four-legged friend's suffering a little easier:

1. If not already available, the dog should be offered a cozy dog bed in a warm place without drafts.
2. Try to keep any stress away from him and give him plenty of rest.
3. Only take him for short walks.
4. Let the dog sleep undisturbed.
5. High-quality food can help to strengthen the immune system.
6. The dog should drink as much as possible.

Another tip for colds is inhalation. This may sound strange at first in connection with a dog, but it is actually quite feasible. Proven household remedies for colds are sage, camomile, thyme and table salt. When heated in a pot, they develop their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect and help to clear the airways.

However, as it is difficult for a dog to use an inhaler or put its head under a cloth, a trick is required: You will need a dog crate for this. You should place your dog in this and put a blanket over it. Place the steaming pot underneath this - at a suitable distance in front of the box, but still underneath the blanket. The dog will then breathe in the soothing steam. Small dogs can also be placed on your legs. Place the pot with the hot inhalant between your feet beforehand. Make sure that the dog's head is in the rising steam.

How can you prevent your dog from catching a cold in the future?

Unfortunately, a cold or cold-like symptoms cannot be completely avoided, as there are many different causes. However, there are some ways to significantly reduce the likelihood.

1. Dog coat
   Not every dog has a thick coat. For dogs without an undercoat, it makes sense to dress them in a dog coat on icy or cold rainy days.
2. Drying off
   If the dog walk was a wet, chilly affair, it makes sense to dry the dog well at home.
3. Do not eat snow
   Dogs should not eat snow, as this could result in snow gastritis, which can cause coughing and retching, among other things.
4. Vaccinate your dog
   A good basic immunization protects against all kinds of diseases, including distemper, which manifests itself with nasal discharge and coughing, among other things. If the dog has a lot of contact with other dogs, a vaccination against kennel cough may also be worthwhile.
5. A cozy place
   The dog should have one or, better still, two quiet retreats with a comfortable dog bed or a basket with a blanket.