Dogs with colds?
My-Dog.info > Dog Health
Dogs may develop respiratory problems that mimic human colds.
The cause of the human cold, the human rhinovirus, is not
considered to be a risk for transmission to dogs, but animals are
susceptible to other viruses in the picornavirus group to which
rhinovirus belongs. Notable are the caliciviruses that affect
cats, and the foot-and-mouth disease virus that affects
cloven-hoofed animals such as sheep, goats, cattle and swine.
Infections, allergies, and other conditions (e.g., foreign
material, irritants, cancer) can all lead to disease of the nose,
pharynx, larynx, windpipe and lungs of dogs. Rhinitis (in mucous
membranes of the nasal cavity), sinusitis (in sinus cavities in
the head), laryngitis (in larynx), tonsillitis, tracheitis (in
windpipe or trachea), bronchitis (in airways) and pneumonia may
be present alone or in combination.
We term it rhinosinusitis when the respiratory condition is
seated primarily in the upper respiratory tract in the nasal and
sinus cavities. Tracheobronchitis is the term we apply when the
seat of the condition is in the lower tract, in the trachea and
lungs.
Infectious agents may include viruses such as adenovirus,
parainfluenza, reovirus, or canine herpesvirus. Common bacterial
agents include Bordetella, Pasteurella, Staphylococcus,
Streptococcus, and E. Coli. Fungal infections and parasites may
also be inciting agents. Preventive vaccines are available for
some of these bacterial and viral agents.
These respiratory conditions may be chronic, (long-term), or
acute (short-term) in nature. Sometimes a combination of inciting
factors can lead to symptoms. For example, dogs with chronic
reactive airways (allergic) are more prone to infections.
Multiple agents may also be present. Commonly, a virus begins the
course of the illness, and once the defenses of the patient are
down, the bacteria can colonize and complicate the condition.
Some of these conditions can be serious and progressive,
particularly without intervention.
Your veterinarian can advise you further re: treatments to
help control or eliminate these abnormal signs. If a bacterial
infection is confirmed, an antibiotic may be prescribed. To help
with the difficult breathing, sometimes bronchodilators or
antihistamines are prescribed. Nursing care, such as exposure to
warm, humidified air may also be recommended. The care suggested
will depend entirely on the diagnosis for this particular
patient. Once the veterinarian has done a professional physical
evaluation, it is possible that certain diagnostic tests such as
culture for infectious agents, blood count, or X-rays may also be
suggested.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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