Posts Tagged ‘respiratory illnesses in pets’

As we move into cooler weather, it’s pretty common for people to start coughing, sneezing, and passing colds around. Then one day you hear your dog coughing or your cat starts sneezing and naturally wonder: Can pets catch colds, too?

The short answer is that dogs and cats can develop respiratory illnesses that look a lot like the common cold in people. You may notice sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, or a pet who simply doesn’t seem to feel like themselves.

But just like with people, not every cough or sneeze means the same thing. Some respiratory illnesses are relatively mild and resolve with supportive care, while others need veterinary attention.

Knowing what to watch for can help you decide when it’s time to give us a call.

Why Is My Dog Coughing?

One of the respiratory illnesses most dog owners have heard of is kennel cough. The name can be a little misleading because dogs don’t have to stay at a kennel to get it.

Respiratory infections can spread anywhere dogs are in close contact with one another, including boarding facilities, dog parks, grooming salons, training classes, daycare facilities, and even during a friendly nose-to-nose greeting.

A dog with a respiratory infection may develop a dry, hacking cough that sometimes sounds like they have something caught in their throat. You may also notice sneezing, nasal discharge, decreased appetite, or lower energy.

Many cases are mild, but we still want owners to pay attention. A persistent or worsening cough can sometimes indicate a more serious respiratory problem.

Cats Get Respiratory Infections, Too

Upper respiratory infections are also common in cats, particularly when multiple cats are living together or when a cat has recently spent time in a shelter, boarding facility, or other environment with unfamiliar animals.

Symptoms can include frequent sneezing, nasal congestion, watery or irritated eyes, discharge from the nose or eyes, decreased appetite, and lethargy.

One concern with cats is that congestion can interfere with their sense of smell. Cats rely heavily on smell when deciding whether to eat, so a congested cat may suddenly lose interest in food.

If your cat stops eating, especially for more than a short period, don’t simply assume they’ll eat when they feel better. Give us a call.

When Is a Cough or Sneeze More Serious?

An occasional sneeze isn’t necessarily cause for concern. Pets can sneeze because of dust, pollen, fragrances, or something irritating their nose.

The same is true for an isolated cough.

What matters is what happens next.

If the coughing or sneezing continues, becomes more frequent, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s worth having your pet evaluated.

Watch for changes such as:

• Difficulty or labored breathing

• Persistent or severe coughing

• Thick or discolored nasal discharge

• Significant eye discharge

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

• Unusual tiredness or weakness

• Coughing that causes gagging or vomiting

• Symptoms that continue to worsen rather than improve

Any difficulty breathing should be treated as an emergency.

Can My Pet Give Their Cold to Me?

In most cases, the viruses and bacteria responsible for common respiratory illnesses in dogs and cats are different from the ones that cause human colds.

The bigger concern is usually transmission between pets.

If one pet in your household is coughing or sneezing, try to limit close contact with your other pets until you know what’s causing it. Don’t share food and water bowls, toys, or bedding, and wash your hands after handling the sick pet.

If you have multiple pets at home, let us know when you call. That information can help us determine the best next steps.

Prevention Makes a Difference

We can’t prevent every respiratory illness, but we can reduce the risk.

Keeping your pet current on recommended vaccinations is an important starting point. Depending on your pet’s lifestyle, we may recommend additional vaccines if they regularly visit boarding facilities, daycare, grooming salons, dog parks, or other places where they interact closely with other animals.

If your pet is showing respiratory symptoms, it’s also a good idea to skip those social activities until they have recovered. Nobody wants to be the dog at daycare who shared a cough with the entire class.

Please Call Before Bringing a Coughing Pet Inside

If your dog or cat is coughing, sneezing frequently, or showing other respiratory symptoms, please call Olsen Veterinary Clinic before coming into the building.

That doesn’t mean we don’t want to see them. Quite the opposite.

Respiratory illnesses can be contagious, and letting us know ahead of time allows our team to take appropriate precautions and reduce exposure to other patients—particularly puppies, kittens, senior pets, and animals with underlying health conditions.

We can let you know how we’d like you to enter the clinic and make the visit as safe as possible for everyone.

When You’re Unsure, Give Us a Call

Most pet owners know when something just isn’t right.

Maybe the cough sounds different. Maybe your normally energetic dog suddenly wants to sleep all day. Maybe your cat has been hiding and hasn’t touched breakfast.

Those observations matter.

If your pet develops coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, changes in appetite, or unusual behavior, contact Olsen Veterinary Clinic. We can help determine whether it’s something you can monitor at home or whether we need to take a closer look.

A sneeze may be nothing more than a sneeze—but when your pet is trying to tell you they don’t feel well, it’s always worth paying attention.