The Difference Between a Dog Cold and Kennel Cough?

As a dog owner, there's nothing more distressing than seeing our beloved pet get sick. When a dog shows symptoms like coughing and sneezing, we often feel extremely worried and various possible illnesses flash through our minds quickly. Among them, a dog cold and kennel cough are two common conditions. But what exactly is the difference between them? Understanding these differences enables us to make more accurate judgments and provide timely and effective care when our dogs are ill.

In terms of symptom manifestations, when a dog has a cold, in the early stage, it may appear listless. The dog that used to be lively and active becomes lazy and loses interest in its usual favorite toys and games. Its nose also becomes wet, and clear nasal discharge flows out involuntarily. It sneezes from time to time, just like when we humans have a cold, trying to expel the foreign objects in the nasal cavity in this way. The dog's eyes may become red and have secretions, and there will be a slight cough, but the cough sound is relatively clear and the frequency is not high. If you observe carefully, you can also find that the dog's body temperature rises slightly, and its appetite will also be affected to some extent, with a reduced food intake compared to usual.

As for kennel cough, just from the name, we can tell that it is related to the environment where the dog is located. This kind of cough is usually more severe, and the sound is like a dry cough. Sometimes, it is accompanied by a "clicking" sound, as if there is something stuck in the throat and the dog is trying hard to cough it out. The frequency of coughing is high, and it may even occur in bursts continuously. Especially when the dog is excited, after exercise, or at night, the cough is more obvious. Different from a cold, a dog with kennel cough generally doesn't have obvious nasal discharge. Even if there is, it is mostly thick yellow or green nasal mucus. The eye secretions may increase, but the mental state and appetite may not be greatly affected in the early stage, unless the condition has developed seriously.

Regarding the causes, a dog's cold is mostly caused by getting chilled. For example, in the cold winter, if a dog stays outdoors for a long time without proper warming measures, or after taking a bath, if its fur is not dried in time and it is exposed to the cold wind, it is likely to catch a cold. This is similar to how we humans are also prone to catching a cold when we don't pay attention to adding or reducing clothes during large temperature differences. On the other hand, kennel cough is mainly caused by the infection of multiple pathogens. The most common ones are canine parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. This disease is highly contagious and usually spreads easily in places where dogs are densely populated, such as kennels, pet stores, and pet grooming salons. Dogs coming into contact with each other, sharing food bowls and toys, etc., may all lead to the spread of pathogens. It's just like in a kindergarten, if one child gets sick, other children are also very likely to be infected.

In terms of treatment, if the symptoms of a dog's cold are mild, we can help it recover by strengthening the care. For example, provide the dog with a warm and quiet resting environment, lay a soft cushion in its kennel so that it can rest comfortably. Give the dog more warm water to drink. Just like how drinking more water helps relieve symptoms when we have a cold, this can help the dog replenish water and promote metabolism. We can also appropriately give the dog some pet-specific cold medicine and take it according to the dosage indicated in the instructions. However, if the dog's symptoms continue to worsen, such as a continuous increase in body temperature, an aggravated cough, and the appearance of breathing difficulties, etc., we must take it to see a veterinarian in time for further examination and treatment.

The treatment of kennel cough is relatively more complicated. Since it is caused by the infection of multiple pathogens, antibiotics are usually needed to control the bacterial infection, and antiviral drugs are used simultaneously to fight against the virus. In addition, according to the severity of the dog's cough, drugs for relieving cough and asthma are used to alleviate the symptoms. During the treatment period, let the dog rest more and reduce strenuous exercise to avoid aggravating the cough. Moreover, because kennel cough is contagious, the sick dog should be isolated to prevent it from spreading the germs to other healthy dogs. This is similar to how we isolate and treat infected patients during the epidemic period to control the spread of the epidemic.

Whether it is a dog cold or kennel cough, we need to show enough patience and care in nursing. Observe the changes in the dog's symptoms carefully every day and record its diet, water intake, and mental state. Give the dog medicine on time to ensure that the medicine can take effect. Provide the dog with nutritious and easily digestible food to enhance its resistance and help the body recover. At the same time, keep the dog's living environment clean and hygienic, and regularly disinfect the dog kennel, food bowls, toys, etc. to reduce the breeding of pathogens.

Although both a dog cold and kennel cough have similar symptoms such as coughing, there are obvious differences in causes, symptom manifestations, treatment, and nursing. As dog owners, we should always pay attention to the health status of our dogs. Once we find any abnormalities, we should observe the symptoms carefully and judge the possible causes. If we can't determine it ourselves, we must take the dog to see a veterinarian in time and let a professional doctor diagnose and treat the dog. After all, dogs are our closest companions in life. They give us endless company and joy, and we also hope that they can grow up healthily and happily all the time. When we take good care of a sick dog with our hearts and see it gradually regain its former vitality, the joy and relief are beyond words.