dog cold?

[gaynor363]

I think my 15 month jack russell may have a cold. He's lathatrgic and has a slighl runny nose. Anything I ca n give him to help?

[Clanad]

Dogs don't catch "colds" in the classic sense that humans do. Problem is, they do catch highly contagious kennel cough from other dogs. It's symptoms mimic most of those humans experience with colds. It is so contagious (between dogs, not dogs to humans) that our kennel won't accept dogs for boarding without a certifcate of health especially relating to kennel cough. It's easily treatable but only with antibiotics prescribed by your vet. Give him plenty of water and he'll be fine in a week or so... (Some dogs get some relief from one or two baby aspirin a day)...

[gaynor363]

Thankyou for your reply. He's not got a cough though, just seems quiet and has a runny nose - poor thing. We have only had him 2 months as we re-homed him, so not used to his ailments as yet! Maybe it's man-flu !!(ha ha). Joking aside if he doesn't appear better in a couple fo days I will have to take him to the vet...

[annavc]

It does sound like kennel cough to me - it doesn't always give them an actual cough so don't think its not kennel cough because he's not coughing. They will often just be a bit snotty and very lethargic. If you've just recently rehomed him chances are that is what it is - he could have picked it up in the kennel he was in. Most rescue places are infected with it - there are so many different strains of it they can't possibly vaccinate against it so just have to treat it.

It does need treating though so I would take him to the vet as soon as you can and get him some antibiotics.

Good luck.