Can Dogs Get Colds

Colds in dogs are pretty common and are often caused by the various germs and viruses. A dog can contract cold by being in close contact with an already infected dog. Stress and travel are the other contributing factors. But how do you identify whether your dog has a common cold or some other serious illness? To make it easy for you, here are the symptoms of common cold followed by the other respiratory illnesses which produce similar cold-like symptoms.

Symptoms of Cold in Dogs
Following are the usual symptoms of colds in dogs.

• The dog has a cough.
• The dog has runny eyes.
• The dog has a yellowish-green discharge from the nose.
• The dog sneezes frequently. Know more on sneezing in dogs.

Respiratory Illnesses in Dogs
Many dogs suffer from a number of respiratory illnesses which may seem quite similar to the common cold symptoms in humans, but there is no way that humans can infect dogs. Here are some of the commonly seen respiratory illnesses in dogs which produce common cold-like symptoms in them.

Canine Parainfluenza
This respiratory illness produces symptoms similar to common colds in dogs. In most cases, with proper pet care and certain home treatments, the infection resolves itself within a few days.

Kennel Cough
The symptoms of kennel cough includes a harsh sounding coughing and discharge of phlegm. Kennel cough, in most cases, is caused by the Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria and Adenovirus type 2 virus. Adenovirus type 2 virus is known to produce cold-like symptoms in dogs.

Pneumonia
Pneumonia in dogs occurs if the respiratory infections and colds do not resolve on their own and are left untreated. Pneumonia causes an inflammation of the lungs and its symptoms include difficulty in breathing and chronic coughing.

Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a very grave illness so the dogs should be properly vaccinated against this disease. It spreads from the breath of one infected dog to another dog. Canine distemper produces the common cold symptoms such as coughing and sneezing along with gastrointestinal symptoms. It weakens the dog's immunity and can even prove to be fatal.

In some rare cases, cold-like symptoms may be caused by certain parasites, which enter the heart and the lungs. Fungal infections, which occur when the fungal parasites get into the lungs, produce symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, etc, which are the same as a dog experiences when he has cold.

Treatment of Cold in Dogs
Once you have identified that your pet dog is suffering from common cold, as far as possible, keep him away from other dogs, to avoid the infection from spreading. Also, keeping him away from other pets will give him enough time to rest and recover. Here are some treatments which can be undertaken to cure colds in dogs.

Increase the Fluid Intake
Keeping the dog hydrated is very essential to help him recover from cold. So feed him as much water as you can. Generally, it is seen that when the dogs fall sick, they start avoiding water. If that is the case, it is recommended to add broth to water and then try to feed it to him.

Steam Treatment
Giving the dog steam treatment is very effective in getting rid of his cold. Steam helps in keeping the dog's nasal passages moisturized and thus, aids in breaking up their chest congestion. For giving steam treatment, simply fill the bathroom with steam and then place the dog in it for about fifteen minutes. Repeat this procedure thrice a day and the symptoms of cold will disappear in a day or two.

Healthy Foods
Provide the dog with some healthy foods. This will help in improving his immunity and overall health. This in turn will keep the germs and bacteria at bay, which otherwise can lead to cold. A good immunity will ensure that the dog is better equipped to cope with extreme climates, which are also a common cause behind cold.

Vitamin Therapy
Vitamin therapies help in boosting the dog's immune system. Provide the dogs with vitamins A, C and E when he gets colds. By including these vitamins in the dog's diet, his immune system will become strong and he will be able to fight any kind of dog illness or infection in his body.

Cough Suppressant
Cough suppressant can be given to the dogs to provide him with temporary relief from colds. Although cough suppressant may not be able to cure the cold in dogs, still, they can be given to minimize the pets' discomfort.

The above treatments are very effective in treating dog colds and restoring pet health. However, sometimes it may happen, despite taking the necessary precautions and treatments, the dog may not show any signs of improvement. If the cold refuses to go and is accompanied by other symptoms such as dehydration, less urination, refusal to eat, vomiting, etc. and if the dog seems distressed all the time, it is recommended that a veterinarian should be contacted for proper diagnoses and treatment. Also, if the dog is very old or very young, it is best to consult a veterinarian, rather than curing him at home.