How can you tell if a dog has a cold?

Dogs are like little suns in our lives, illuminating our every day with their enthusiasm and loyalty. However, just like humans, dogs are also vulnerable to diseases, and a cold is one of the common health problems for dogs. As the closest guardians of dogs, we must be keenly aware of the slightest changes in their bodies, promptly detect the signs of a cold, and provide them with meticulous care. So, how can we accurately determine whether a dog has a cold? This is not only a concern for every dog owner but also the key to our responsibility for the dog's health.

When a dog has a cold, the most intuitive manifestation often lies in the change of body temperature. Different from humans, the normal body temperature of dogs is slightly higher than that of humans, generally ranging from 38°C to 39°C. When we feel that the dog's nose is no longer moist and cool but rather a bit hot, we need to be vigilant. At this time, using a pet-specific thermometer to measure the dog's body temperature is the most accurate method. Gently insert the thermometer about 2 to 3 centimeters into the dog's rectum and wait for a few minutes to read the value. If the body temperature exceeds 39.5°C, it is very likely that the dog has a cold and a fever. I remember once, my dog seemed listless and its nose was dry. I quickly took its temperature and found that it had reached 40°C. At that moment, my heart tightened, and I anxiously took it to the hospital. Looking at the number on the thermometer that exceeded the normal range, worry and distress welled up in my heart immediately. I deeply felt the deep concern as an owner for the dog's health condition.

Observing the dog's respiratory symptoms is also an important basis for judging a cold. Dogs with a cold often experience symptoms such as coughing and sneezing. Their coughs may be relatively frequent, and sometimes they may be accompanied by phlegm. Sneezing is no longer an occasional occurrence but happens one after another. If you observe carefully, you can also find that some secretions flow out of the dog's nasal cavity. In the initial stage, it may be a clear nasal discharge, and as the illness progresses, it may turn into a thick yellow nasal discharge. Once, when I was walking my dog, I heard the dog next door coughing continuously. It was like a sick child, and every cough tugged at the owner's heart. The neighbor said that the dog had been coughing like this for several days, and it had been sneezing and having a clear nasal discharge. I suggested that the neighbor take the dog to see a doctor immediately, and later I learned that the dog indeed had a cold. These respiratory symptoms not only affect the dog's smooth breathing but also make them feel very uncomfortable. How can the owner not feel 心疼 when seeing the dog in such discomfort?

The dog's mental state and appetite can also provide us with important clues. When a dog has a cold, its usual vitality often disappears. The dog that was originally lively and active, always revolving around the owner, may become lazy, lose interest in playing and toys, lie in the corner all day long, and show tiredness and listlessness in its eyes. At the same time, their appetite will also decrease significantly. The dog that used to gobble up food may now just sniff at the food bowl, and it may even lose interest in its favorite snacks. I once adopted a stray dog, and soon after bringing it home, it caught a cold. Those days, it curled up in the nest all day long and didn't respond much when I called it. It only took a few reluctant bites when eating. Looking at its increasingly emaciated body, I felt really bad. I tried every way to prepare food for it every day, hoping that it could eat more and get better soon. This state of listlessness and loss of appetite is an obvious sign that the dog is not feeling well, reminding us to pay attention to their health in a timely manner.

In addition, the dog's eyes may also show some abnormal symptoms. The eyes of a dog with a cold may become red and swollen, and there may be more eye discharge at the corners of the eyes. The originally bright and clear eyes may be covered with a layer of haze at this time, losing their former luster. When my dog had a cold, I cleaned its eye discharge in the morning and found that there was much more than usual, and its eyes were also red, looking extremely pitiful. These changes in the eyes are also distress signals sent by the dog's body, which require us to observe and pay attention to them carefully.

When we find that the dog has the above symptoms, we must not take it lightly. Although a common cold for a dog can usually be cured after appropriate treatment and care, if the illness is delayed, it may lead to more serious respiratory infections or even diseases such as pneumonia. Once we suspect that the dog has a cold, it is best to take it to see a veterinarian in a timely manner. The veterinarian will accurately determine the dog's condition through professional examinations, such as auscultation and blood routine tests, and give an appropriate treatment plan. While waiting to see the doctor, we can provide the dog with a warm and quiet resting environment and prepare plenty of clean drinking water for it to help relieve its discomfort.

As dog owners, we should always pay attention to every slight change in their bodies. Every dog is a treasure in our lives. They accompany us with all their love, and we should also care for their health with the same deep affection. When we learn to accurately determine whether a dog has a cold and give them timely love and treatment when they are sick, the emotional bond between us and the dog will be stronger.