Prepping your Dogs

It’s time for winter- smart strategies.

- CC Bureau

Many dog colds are due to a common condition called kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis). Other less common causes are adenovirus and parainfluenza. Canine flu or influenza (H3n8) is not seen that often. In rare cases, canine cold symptoms can be caused by tracheal collapse or a foreign body caught in the respiratory system. Nasal discharge alone may indicate causes; if your dog is suffering from any of the symptoms described above, visit a veterinarian.

If you see blood in any nasal discharge or any of the signs of respiratory distress listed below, be sure to see a Vet to determine if the cause is a nose injury, infection (bacterial or fungal), foreign body or dog nose tumour.

Signs of Dog Breathing Problems

These are the typical dog cold symptoms or signs of breathing problems. Contact a veterinarian immediately if you see these signs:

Rapid breathing (tachypnea);

Extended neck or head;

Open mouth;

Anxious behaviour;

Skin discoloration due to oxygen not getting to the skin;

Flaring nose (nares);

Pointing of the elbows away from the body;

Ability to breathe only when standing (orthopnea);

Odd movement of the chest or stomach.

Causes of Canine Sneezing, Colds and Upper Respiratory Infections

Dog parents frequently ask ‘can dogs get a cold.’ The answer is that they can display cold symptoms that are caused by an infection that is different than what would cause a cold in people.

Upper Respiratory Infection: Puppies or young dogs with sneezing and nasal discharge and one or more symptoms such as eye discharge, depression, appetite loss and cough should be evaluated for a viral or bacterial respiratory infection.