How to Treat a Puppy With a Cold

Puppies with flat noses are prone to respiratory infections.

Respiratory infections -- commonly called "colds" -- affect dogs with compromised or weak immune systems, notably older dogs and puppies. Caused by both bacterial and viral infections, your puppy's cold often shows in fits of sneezing and coughing. You may see mucous in the puppy's nostrils and the corner of its eyes. Your puppy may be running a fever and not want to eat. Your veterinarian should determine the cause of the cold, typically allergic rhinitis (allergy related) or tracheobronchitis, known as "kennel cough." Learning how to care for your pet at home not only hastens a cure, but also saves you money on clinic visits.

Things You'll Need

• Veterinarian-prescribed medications
• Isolated room
• Adequate food and water supply
• Warm, wet cloth
• Child's humidifier or steamy bathroom

Instructions

1. Administer any medications prescribed by your veterinarian. These may include systemic antibiotics or antihistamines, depending on the cause and location of the infection.

2. Isolate your puppy from other dogs in the household. The bacterial and viral agents causing upper respiratory infection --particularly kennel cough--become airborne through sneezing and coughing and spread rapidly from dog to dog.

3. Place your puppy in a warm, quiet room with an adequate water supply and encourage it to rest and eat well. Antihistamines tend to dry out your puppy's mouth and mucous membranes, so keeping it well-hydrated becomes essential to full recovery.

4. Wipe your puppy's nose and eyes free of mucous using a warm, wet cloth several times a day.

5. Use a child's humidifier in the puppy's room or place your puppy in steamy bathroom to alleviate any nasal or chest congestion.

6. Monitor the puppy for diarrhea or signs that respiratory problems are worsening. Antibiotics often cause diarrhea in puppies and you will need to contact your veterinarian immediately if stools become loose or coughing and sneezing increases.

Tips & Warnings

• Warming a can of high-quality puppy food allows the smell to become more pronounced and encourages your congested puppy to eat. Try gently suctioning your puppy's nasal passages with a baby's bulb syringe. Stick the end of the syringe against each nostril, squeeze the bulb closed and gently release it, pulling any fluid and mucous into the syringe. Clean the bulb in a bucket of hot bleach-water after every use to avoid spreading infection.

• Follow your veterinarian's instructions when administering antibiotics. Failure to complete the entire prescription can leave your puppy vulnerable to a relapse of any bacterial infection. Your puppy's cold symptoms should begin to lessen within a week of beginning treatment; however, it may take two to three weeks to totally clear a case of kennel cough.

References

• VetInfo.com: Is Upper Respiratory in Dogs Contagious?
• "Common Diseases of Companion Animals"; Alleice Summers, DVM; 2002
• 2nd Chance Animal Rescue: Why is My Dog or Cat Sneezing? Upper Respiratory Tract Problems in Dogs and Cats
• Humane Society of the United States: What You Should Know About Upper Respiratory Infections

Resources

• Mar Vista Animal Medical Center: Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis)
• WebVet: Respiratory Infections in Pets