Can a dog have a cold?

[Ginny Nightingale]

There is vast experience in this group about ailments among our doodles, so i was hoping someone could shed some light on Mattie's symptoms. She had a bit of a cough the other day like she had inhaled something and it went on all day. Then I noticed some sneezing, but not just a light sneeze--a deeper sneeze. The next day, the coughing stopped and she had  just an occasional sneeze--but at night she has been sneezing a lot. She seems perfectly fine otherwise and has no temperature, but this sneezing is really weird. She sleeps at my feet and woke me up numerous times sneezing three or four times in a row last night then going back to sleep. There is no discharge from her nose, no loss of appetite or other change in behavior. Any ideas?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I was told yes dogs can and do get colds, by my vet. After all, a true 'cold' and its symptoms are a virus. I would be concerned with having her lung sounds/functions listened to and also the exposure of tiny puppies in the house.
Hope she feels a lot better soon.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Lyric (the mom ALD) had no symptoms like this but was running a slight fever for a few days and lost her appetite--she is fine now after taking antibiotic for a week--I am hoping that this is not contagious and I am keeping Mattie away from the puppies!!! I will bring Mattie over to vet today for a look. I know that have viral meds for respiratory stuff--my cat once took that.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri has had a cold before.  I still took her in and they gave her some medicine to help keep it from getting in her lungs.  She was sneezing and coughing.  Also with the flu going around, I might take her in.

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Yes they do get colds.  And it can into respiratory issues that are nto fun.  Bailey came down with a cold after we got her and she ended up on antibiotics and breathing treatments...

 

 

[Ginny Nightingale]

UGH! I need this like a hole in the head--thanks guys--I will get right on it! Dr. Jen (my daughter the vet) is visiting tomorrow--I will call her and see if she can bring something for Mattie--

[F, Calla & Luca]

No real meds for colds per se but antibiotics can be given for secondary bacterial infections. It doesn't sound like Mattie has the latter though so I wouldn't treat.

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

Yes - from minor virus with sneezing and mild drippy noses. To major upper respiratory infections with coughing and yellow green nasal discharge. I have been through both. My dogs ate quite well through both types of illnesses (it might have been the breed - pugs!), but the dog with the major infection was definitely lethargic and clearly not feeling well. Any "colored or thick discharge' requires a trip to the vet, if it were me I would just monitor mild cold symptoms, and reduce exercise, keep warm and lots of love. Hope she is on the mend real soon.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Oh, I hope you can get this under control so it don't spread to the puppies. Good luck and hope they all feel better soon.

[Jo and Beamer]

Sometimes I notice that dogs sneeze to get an obstruction out of the way. Could be a stick in the back of the throat etc.

 

[GBK]

Yes, I would check his nose....  A couple of years ago Buddy was doing this and when I finally looked up his nose with a flashlight he had a thick piece of grass stuck on the inside of his nose.  When I pulled it out, it was at least 6 inches long and must have been tickling his throat as well.  I would have your daughter check up his nose when she is there just in case.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Update: Mattie was checked out by our daughter and she was much better by then after just one day on Clavamox. Her lungs were clear, no swollen glands, etc. I think that she must have had a mild case and we caught it early enough to prevent it from getting too bad. PHEW! I have Rio on the clavamox for a week since kennel cough (if that is what it was) is so contagious.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Glad every doodle is healthy.  Thanks for the update. Enjoy the visit from your daughter