Can dogs get colds?

[sonomagirl]

My girl seems to have a little runny nose and is sneezing alot. Could she have a cold like we get or is it something more serious like allergies? She's almost 6 months old and this is the first time I've seen her sneeze like this.

 

[gmacleod]

Yes, dogs can get colds. Usually it's known as kennel cough

That's not the only possible cause of sneezing and runny nose, but it is the most common one. Vaccinations against kennel cough are a bit of a waste of time though - many dogs end up getting kennel cough from the vaccination, and in any case (as is the case with the common cold for people) there are so many thousands of different strains, it is impossible to vaccinate against them all.

Here's a few articles you might find useful: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1556&articleid=452
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1611&articleid=469
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1611&articleid=479

 

[tesster]

Tess got a sinus infection when she was younger. It wasn't kennel cough, but she had the same symptoms that you're describing. Icky runny nose, watery eyes, and her face swelled up like a balloon. The doctor perscribed antibiotics and she was better in no time.

A lot of things have those symptoms. It's important to call or see your vet, especially if the mucus it greenish or yellowish (instead of clear). You'll have to get a look first thing in the morning to really see.

Good luck!
Julie

 

[stormie0734]

my rottie was coughing alot and had goopy eyes and a runny nose I took him to the vet and he has broncitis. They gave him an antibiotic and a cough medicine and is much better tonite. The vet said there is alot of this going around so that might be a possibility.

 

[dagney's mom]

dagney had a wicked upper respitory infection a couple of months ago and it went away fairly quickly with anitbiotics... we were back at the vet today because he has another cold with some swollen glands