I had just completed my physical exam and was beginning to discuss my findings when Dr. Google joined us. I was seated across from a smartly dressed, smartphone-wielding young client. As she flashed the screen to show me her list of demands, I noticed a clear drop of liquid reflecting from the nostril of the baby-faced Bichon at my feet. Chloe was 3 years old, fully immunized and a picture of perfect health, until returning from boarding two days earlier. She had developed a cough, runny eyes and nose, and her owner was understandably worried.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of these antibiotics are available in generic form, and here are the current prices from my preferred online pharmacy.\u201d<\/p>\n
As she read off the medications, costs and shipping times, I continued silently studying Chloe\u2019s breathing. Quiet, deep and regular breathing, despite the pharmaceutical recital to which we were both held captive. I hadn\u2019t heard a cough yet, but I still had a couple of tests to go, something no amount of internet searches and chats could perform.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not suggesting Chloe couldn\u2019t have an upper respiratory infection she contracted while boarding. We used to believe Bordetella bronchiseptica<\/em>, the bacterium associated with \u2018kennel cough\u2019 we vaccinate against, was the main culprit. We now understand it involves multiple bacteria and viruses. CIRDC more accurately describes my No. 1 concern for Chloe\u2019s symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n Photography \u00a9Natali_Mis | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) is still erroneously referred to as \u201ccanine cold,\u201d \u201cdog flu\u201d or \u201ckennel cough,\u201d although none are correct and cause considerable confusion for dog owners. To complicate matters, most cases never receive a precise diagnosis, and the condition rarely requires antibiotics. This makes treating CIRDC doubly demanding for today\u2019s \u201cinsistent-on-instant\u201d pet owners. Some conditions can only be treated with time, a price few are willing to pay these days.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s something else I\u2019d like to do to determine the extent of Chloe\u2019s condition. So far, I\u2019ve observed a clear nasal and ocular discharge, normal breathing and body temperature, and healthy lung sounds. You said Chloe mainly coughs and sneezes after walking, getting excited or after periods of lying down, and that her appetite and energy levels were basically normal. I\u2019d like to see if she has any congestion in her upper trachea by gently massaging her neck. Many times, if a dog has tracheal inflammation, she\u2019ll exhibit a goose-honk cough after I rub her throat.\u201d<\/p>\n As I gently massaged Chloe\u2019s upper airway, I noticed her swallow hard a few times and a couple of soft coughs, but no goose-honking.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good news. We\u2019ve got a couple of ways to proceed.\u201d<\/p>\n Most cases of CIRDC will resolve within 10 days without needing prescription medications. In more severe conditions, or when an owner wants to pursue all available testing, we begin by evaluating chest radiographs and blood tests. Some dog owners request cultures of the throat or nasal passages, but current medical guidelines discourage these tests unless an outbreak is occurring or pneumonia develops. Even the most sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays often fail to identify a specific causative agent and are prone to sampling errors and difficulty interpreting normal flora from infectious. In cases involving boarding facilities, I always alert them to be on the lookout for H3N8 or H3N2 canine influenza (CI).<\/p>\n Many dog owners believe antibiotics are needed to treat upper respiratory infections and feel cheated if the veterinarian doesn\u2019t dispense at least one. The fact is that most canine upper respiratory infections are caused or complicated by viruses, rendering antibiotics powerless. If a dog has a fever, decreased appetite or lethargy, then an antibiotic such as doxycycline may be used. I also use a nebulizer in my clinic to jumpstart treatment of these more serious cases. When needed, there are a variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications to help reduce excessive coughing.<\/p>\n In most cases of mild CIRDC, symptomatic treatments are the only treatment required during the first 10 days. I recommend:<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Using a humidifier, especially at night<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Keeping your dog in the bathroom when you take a hot shower<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Applying warm water compresses several times a day to keep the nose and eyes clean of debris<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Using plain saline nose drops to clear snotty nasal passages<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Using a walking harness to avoid irritating the neck<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Trying canned food or dry kibble softened with warm water to enhance palatability and be easier to swallow for dogs experiencing sore throat.<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 For owners interested in natural remedies, I\u2019ve used powdered echinacea root and mushroom extracts with good results.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, you\u2019re saying it\u2019s not \u2018kennel cough\u2019 and Chloe doesn\u2019t need these medications?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not exactly \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s great to hear! You never know what to believe on the internet these days. I feel so much better after you examined her so thoroughly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s great …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you can tell me where to get this humidifier thingy and those herbal treatments, I\u2019ll be on my way.\u201d<\/p>\n And with that, Dr. Google was officially off Chloe\u2019s case. I called to check on her three days later, and she was \u201c90% Chloe\u201d according to her owner. By the following week, Chloe was back to her old self.<\/p>\n If your dog is suffering from runny eyes, stuffy nose or coughing, see your veterinarian at once. \u201cReal\u201d canine influenza and more serious forms of CIRDC can become life-threatening quickly, and prompt diagnosis and treatment is critical. The internet can be both a valuable asset and a confusing distraction for dog owners. There\u2019s no replacing a physical examination and an attentive, experienced veterinarian when it comes to providing the best care for your best friend.<\/p>\n Thumbnail: \u00a9Wavetop | Getty Images<\/p>\n Dr. Ernie Ward is an internationally recognized veterinarian known for his innovations in general small-animal practice, long-term medication monitoring, special needs of senior dogs and cats, and pet obesity. He has authored three books and has been a frequent guest on numerous TV programs.<\/em><\/p>\n The post How to Tell If Your Dog Has a Cold<\/a> by Dr. Ernie Ward<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n The post How to Tell If Your Dog Has a Cold<\/a> by Dr. Ernie Ward<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n I had just completed my physical exam and was beginning to discuss my findings when Dr. Google joined us. I was seated across from a smartly dressed, smartphone-wielding young client. As she flashed the screen to show me her list of demands, I noticed a clear drop of liquid reflecting from the nostril of the baby-faced Bichon at my feet. Chloe was 3 years old, fully immunized and a picture of perfect health, until returning from boarding two days earlier. She had developed a cough, runny eyes and nose, and her owner was understandably worried.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of these antibiotics are available in generic form, and here are the current prices from my preferred online pharmacy.\u201d<\/p>\n As she read off the medications, costs and shipping times, I continued silently studying Chloe\u2019s breathing. Quiet, deep and regular breathing, despite the pharmaceutical recital to which we were both held captive. I hadn\u2019t heard a cough yet, but I still had a couple of tests to go, something no amount of internet searches and chats could perform.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not suggesting Chloe couldn\u2019t have an upper respiratory infection she contracted while boarding. We used to believe Bordetella bronchiseptica<\/em>, the bacterium associated with \u2018kennel cough\u2019 we vaccinate against, was the main culprit. We now understand it involves multiple bacteria and viruses. CIRDC more accurately describes my No. 1 concern for Chloe\u2019s symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n Photography \u00a9Natali_Mis | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) is still erroneously referred to as \u201ccanine cold,\u201d \u201cdog flu\u201d or \u201ckennel cough,\u201d although none are correct and cause considerable confusion for dog owners. To complicate matters, most cases never receive a precise diagnosis, and the condition rarely requires antibiotics. This makes treating CIRDC doubly demanding for today\u2019s \u201cinsistent-on-instant\u201d pet owners. Some conditions can only be treated with time, a price few are willing to pay these days.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s something else I\u2019d like to do to determine the extent of Chloe\u2019s condition. So far, I\u2019ve observed a clear nasal and ocular discharge, normal breathing and body temperature, and healthy lung sounds. You said Chloe mainly coughs and sneezes after walking, getting excited or after periods of lying down, and that her appetite and energy levels were basically normal. I\u2019d like to see if she has any congestion in her upper trachea by gently massaging her neck. Many times, if a dog has tracheal inflammation, she\u2019ll exhibit a goose-honk cough after I rub her throat.\u201d<\/p>\n As I gently massaged Chloe\u2019s upper airway, I noticed her swallow hard a few times and a couple of soft coughs, but no goose-honking.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good news. We\u2019ve got a couple of ways to proceed.\u201d<\/p>\n Most cases of CIRDC will resolve within 10 days without needing prescription medications. In more severe conditions, or when an owner wants to pursue all available testing, we begin by evaluating chest radiographs and blood tests. Some dog owners request cultures of the throat or nasal passages, but current medical guidelines discourage these tests unless an outbreak is occurring or pneumonia develops. Even the most sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays often fail to identify a specific causative agent and are prone to sampling errors and difficulty interpreting normal flora from infectious. In cases involving boarding facilities, I always alert them to be on the lookout for H3N8 or H3N2 canine influenza (CI).<\/p>\n Many dog owners believe antibiotics are needed to treat upper respiratory infections and feel cheated if the veterinarian doesn\u2019t dispense at least one. The fact is that most canine upper respiratory infections are caused or complicated by viruses, rendering antibiotics powerless. If a dog has a fever, decreased appetite or lethargy, then an antibiotic such as doxycycline may be used. I also use a nebulizer in my clinic to jumpstart treatment of these more serious cases. When needed, there are a variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications to help reduce excessive coughing.<\/p>\n In most cases of mild CIRDC, symptomatic treatments are the only treatment required during the first 10 days. I recommend:<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Using a humidifier, especially at night<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Keeping your dog in the bathroom when you take a hot shower<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Applying warm water compresses several times a day to keep the nose and eyes clean of debris<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Using plain saline nose drops to clear snotty nasal passages<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Using a walking harness to avoid irritating the neck<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 Trying canned food or dry kibble softened with warm water to enhance palatability and be easier to swallow for dogs experiencing sore throat.<\/p>\n \u2745\u00a0 For owners interested in natural remedies, I\u2019ve used powdered echinacea root and mushroom extracts with good results.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, you\u2019re saying it\u2019s not \u2018kennel cough\u2019 and Chloe doesn\u2019t need these medications?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not exactly \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s great to hear! You never know what to believe on the internet these days. I feel so much better after you examined her so thoroughly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s great …\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you can tell me where to get this humidifier thingy and those herbal treatments, I\u2019ll be on my way.\u201d<\/p>\n And with that, Dr. Google was officially off Chloe\u2019s case. I called to check on her three days later, and she was \u201c90% Chloe\u201d according to her owner. By the following week, Chloe was back to her old self.<\/p>\n If your dog is suffering from runny eyes, stuffy nose or coughing, see your veterinarian at once. \u201cReal\u201d canine influenza and more serious forms of CIRDC can become life-threatening quickly, and prompt diagnosis and treatment is critical. The internet can be both a valuable asset and a confusing distraction for dog owners. There\u2019s no replacing a physical examination and an attentive, experienced veterinarian when it comes to providing the best care for your best friend.<\/p>\n Thumbnail: \u00a9Wavetop | Getty Images<\/p>\n Dr. Ernie Ward is an internationally recognized veterinarian known for his innovations in general small-animal practice, long-term medication monitoring, special needs of senior dogs and cats, and pet obesity. He has authored three books and has been a frequent guest on numerous TV programs.<\/em><\/p>\n The post How to Tell If Your Dog Has a Cold<\/a> by Dr. Ernie Ward<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.dogster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/dog-cold-2.png\")
<\/p>\nThe truth about CIRDC<\/h3>\n
Treating CIRDC symptoms<\/h3>\n
Always see your veterinarian<\/h3>\n
About the\u00a0author<\/a>:<\/h3>\n
Read more on\u00a0dogster.com<\/a>:<\/h3>\n
\n
<\/p>\nThe truth about CIRDC<\/h3>\n
Treating CIRDC symptoms<\/h3>\n
Always see your veterinarian<\/h3>\n
About the\u00a0author<\/a>:<\/h3>\n
Read more on\u00a0dogster.com<\/a>:<\/h3>\n
\n