02 Jan Cold in dogs: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment (Part 1)

Sometimes people are surprised to hear that dogs have colds because they think colds are unique to humans. But in this regard, we must say that some animals also catch colds. But human colds are different from dogs. If this disease isn’t treated on time, it can lead to new infections in the pet, slowing the healing process and causing disorders in the immune system. Cold in dogs is one of the most common diseases in these lovely animals, leading to new diseases if not treated in time. The disease is more common in puppies and older dogs. However, you can use home remedies and veterinarian recommendations to treat the disease. In the following, we will explain the treatment method of this disease. Stay tuned for more information.

Symptoms of colds in dogs

Each dog’s illness has its own set of symptoms that can be used to diagnose a pet’s problems, including the common cold. Symptoms of cold in dogs include:

• Cough
• Lethargy
• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Decreased appetite
• runny nose
• Change in body temperature

Keep in mind that these symptoms may be from a simple cold or that they may be symptoms of other illnesses such as bronchitis, the flu, and even the deadly distemper disease. Therefore, it’s better to take your dog to a veterinary clinic for further examination after seeing any of these symptoms. So the veterinarian can determine what disease your beloved pet has with the necessary inspections and tests.

Treatment of colds in puppies

Colds are widespread in puppies because they have a weakened immune system, and they catch colds more easily than adult dogs. So if you keep puppies, you should take good care of them to prevent getting sick. You must first determine if your puppy is sick. Pay attention to his physical and behavioural symptoms for diagnosis. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take your puppy to a veterinarian immediately for treatment. If you don’t pay attention and treat it, the common cold will lead to other diseases. Your veterinarian will usually prescribe medication based on your diagnosis and recommend home remedies.

Home treatment of dog colds

Dogs should be well cared for during cold disease and given high-quality, nutritious food. Because at this time, the dog’s body must be strong to fight the disease and be cured faster. If your dog has a cold, even a mild form, you can treat him with home remedies and speed up the healing process. In this section, we will describe some of these treatment methods.

Use incense

You can use incense to keep the nasal passages moist and help the animal breathe. Also, taking a steam bath for 5 to 10 minutes is a good solution that you can do under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Adequate rest

Adequate rest is vital during this period, and the dog should rest well. It’s also better to keep your dog in a quiet place without stress and tension to speed up the healing process.

Disinfect utensils

Rinse and disinfect the dish and pet food well after each meal. Of course, remember that you must wash the dishes well so that the disinfectant doesn’t remain on the dishes. It should also be noted that in addition to utensils, all items that the sick dog is in contact with, such as balls, toys, sleeping bags, etc., should be thoroughly disinfected. It’s better to wash items with hot water.

Nutritious food

During this period, you should give nutritious and high-quality food such as Protein, fibre and minerals to the sick dog to strengthen the body’s defence system and speed up the treatment process.

Pharmacological treatment

Unfortunately, no specific medications or vaccines have been developed to prevent colds in dogs. Many veterinarians prescribe tonics or other medicines that help treat the disease. These medications include antibiotics, diphenhydramine syrup, and cold pills. Of course, remember to never give any treatment to your dog without consulting a veterinarian; the animal should only take it at the veterinarian’s discretion.

Causes of colds

Bacteria – fungi or viruses cause nasal infections or inflammation of the nasal mucosa. The disease can start from the nose and reach the respiratory tract, and in such cases, it has more severe symptoms.

Transmission of dog colds to humans or from humans to dogs

Dogs can’t transmit their cold to humans, and humans either. Which means that it’s impossible to happen. But dogs can transfer colds to each other quickly. Colds are contagious and can be passed quickly from one animal to another.