I'm asking again How long should my puppy's cold last for?

Question

It isn't kennel cough so don't even bother telling me about it, My vet said she has a cold so far she's had it for 8 days, she is only eating a handful of food and some water each day she's losing weight and the vet isn't helping me he was more concerned about worm meds when she doesn't even have worms.

Answer 1

Please read my answer to you in your other thread. I told you exactly what to do.

Dogs DO, in fact, get 'colds'.....all the time. They are not transferrable between people and dogs....dogs have their own variety of pathogens that cause their own colds.

And yes....your DVM is correct in being concerned about worms, even if the fecal test was negative. The CDC in Atlanta mandates that all puppies be treated for hookworms and roundworms, even with negative fecal tests. Any DVM who doesn't is subject to malpractice allegations. Many puppies who have worms shed no eggs, which are what the test picks up. All sick pups should be presumed to have them, not the other way around.

Answer 2

you should consider getting a second opinion.

If you dont want to do that..then call your vet and ask how long the cold should last. The her that your pup is losing weight and it doesnt seem to be doing any better. If you show your concern for your pup, your vet should help....if not, then its high time to get a new vet. Go to one that is recommended by a humane society.

DOGS DO GET COLDS! Do the research and I promise everyone will find that they can get colds. If it is a bacterial infection, antibiotics will help. But if it's a viral infection (like most human colds are) an antibiotic won't do anything, although the vet may still want to give one to prevent a secondary infection from forming in doggie's tender nasal passages and/or lungs. Keep your home moist with a vaporizer/humidifier and ask the doctor about getting an antihistimine (never give decongestants to a doggie -- I don't know of any that are FDA-approved for canines, but maybe your vet

I hope your pup feels better, it may not be a cold, or it could have started off that way and just got worse. Im thinking a viral infection.

Answer 3

An upper respiratory infection in a cat (or commonly known as a cold) is called kennel cough in a dog.

If you aren't happy with your vet, change vets. We can not possibly diagnose your animal. If you brought a stool sample to the vet and it came back negative for worms, then he shouldn't be trying to give you worm medication. If he's eating and losing weight, there may be something else going on, perhaps an endocrine problem such as diabetes.

Changing vets, getting a second opinion, by a professional, not on here, should be your next course of action, IMHO.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Dogs don't get "colds", in the sense that we do... Kennel Cough (Bordatella) is a real possibility, but so are some other very serious things. As others here have said, do contact another vet asap!! There are many great vets out there, and there are a few really incompetent ones. . . Contrary to what the rather rude 'doctor of veterinary medicine' says here, it could be serious.

I am really concerned when you say she isn't eating or drinking. That is really big trouble. A few days without food won't kill her, but going without water is extremely dangerous for a puppy. Young animals can die suddenly and fast of dehydration. Get water down her any way you can. To check for dehydration, pinch up a bit of skin over her shoulders. It should snap right back into place. If it doesn't, but stays 'tented' for a few seconds, you have a real emergency!

Also, do please keep her on worm meds. Many parasites (worms) are not visible to the naked eye - only in a lab. If he believed she had worms, she likely did. Neglecting this can KILL her. Worms can kill.

Get to a new vet and get both checked - the fecal for worms and the upper respiratory symptoms too. Tell him/her that she is not eating and drinking normally.

I wish you and your girl all the best.

Answer 5

I agree you need a new vet. Dogs cant get colds. If she isn't eating or drinking she may have worms or even heart worms which your vet should've checked for. If it was kennel cough you would know the dogs nose runs and makes this awfull gagging sound. I would call you local animal hospital and tell them that your vet is putting you off and your worried about your dog she isn't eating or drinking and its just getting out of hand. Your vet is an idiot and should know dogs cant get colds. Call as soon as you can so she doesn't suffer any longer than she has to .

Answer 6

i would advise getting a second opinion, but to all the jerks below, yes dogs can catch a human's cold, mine gets them from me and she gives them right back, i've had dogs all my life and its nothing new. i made a sugestion on your other question about giving some beef or chicken broth with the food as well as white rice and chopped meat. but you should also seek out another vet, it is possible your dog has worms and its helping with the weight loss, most of the time you dont even know your dog has them, they only see them under a microscope when looking at a sample, but if the cold has been going on this long with no improvment then he might have missed something else. just make sure you try to get her to eat something, sometimes when my dogs are sick they will only eat when i hand feed them (i guess it tastes better when mommy gives it to them)

good luck, and i'm sorry your pup doesnt feel well. could be worse tho, you dog could have puked on you like mine did last night.

Answer 7

I think your over reacting and need to calm down if the vet doesn't seem concerned let the cold run it course if your really really worried take the puppy to the closest emergency vet.... dogs get colds just like humans and think about how you are when your sick you dont eat and you lose a littl bit of weight... Every one who thinks dogs dont get colds you need to get new information

Answer 8

You're obviously not happy with the answers you got the first time. Why don't you just call your vet or get a new one??

You don't agree with anything anyone says on here yet you continue to look for answers from us. Hmmm....

Want me to tell you what you want to hear? Want me to tell you that it's going to last another 4 days, 3 hours and 56 minutes?

If you're that worried, get off the internet and find another vet.

THANKS BTW...for sending me an e-mail telling me that everybody on YA is a "nitwit". I just wanted to share with everyone else since I'm sure you didn't waste your time e-mailing everyone...or did you?

Answer 9

Dogs don't get colds. If your vet is not concerned about Bordatella, I strongly recommend you take your dog to another vet and have it tested for parvo and distemper. By the way, both can kill your precious pup, so get a second opinion.

Answer 10

My advise would be to get a new veterinarian. I didn't even know dogs got colds?