Dog Catches Cold After Bath: What to Do?

On the second day, we took our furry friend to the vet for a parvovirus test, and the results came back negative, and his temperature was also normal.

However, today, his coughing has worsened, and we brought him to another pet hospital. They took a blood sample, and the doctor informed us that he has a weakened immune system. He received an injection for the common cold and was prescribed medication. His coughing has slightly improved, but he seems even more listless.

His stool has been dry, but he started vomiting today, and by evening, he showed no interest in eating.

Today, he took a variety of medications, including children's amoxicillin, banlangen, and a cold syrup, as well as the cold medicine prescribed by the doctor. He is just one month old and weighs 5 kilograms.

In this case, there are two obvious areas where the handling was not appropriate.

1. Bathing a Puppy Too Young

Since our puppy is still very young, it is not advisable to bathe him. Puppies should not be bathed until they are around 3 months old. Generally, dogs can start bathing at around 6 months, and the bath should be kept warm with water temperature close to the dog's body temperature. The water level should reach the dog's belly height.

When bathing, use warm water and a soft brush to gently wash the dog. Start from the neck, moving forward and down, and then proceed with the back, chest, waist, abdomen, head, and finally the limbs and tail.

Use the brush against the fur first to remove dirt and dust, ensuring to cover the entire body without missing any spots. Afterward, brush in the direction of the fur to restore the coat's smoothness and luster.

It's best to use a good shampoo or mild soap as a cleanser. After washing the body, use clean towels to wipe the dog's mouth, eyes, nose, ears, anus, and between the toes.

After bathing, allow the dog to rest indoors for 23 hours. Typically, dogs should be bathed every 23 days, but if you maintain their cleanliness well, you can reduce the frequency. However, avoid bathing sick, estrous, or postpartum female dogs, and in the hot summer months, it's best not to use tap water to directly spray the dog.

2. Overuse of Cold Medication

It is not necessary to take both banlangen and a cold syrup. Since he has already received an injection for the common cold, which usually contains antibiotics, there is no need to continue taking the children's amoxicillin. Repeated use of antibiotics is unnecessary and can be harmful to the dog's health.

Introduction to the Case Caused by Bathing

Cold is an acute systemic disease primarily characterized by inflammation of the upper respiratory mucosa. Clinically, it presents with symptoms such as fever, runny nose, sneezing, conjunctivitis, and rhinitis.

According to traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, cold is caused by external pathogenic factors such as wind and cold, leading to symptoms like fever and coughing.

Causes: Sudden changes in weather, cold and hot fluctuations, or exposure to cold, damp environments, rain, and wind can weaken the dog's body's defenses, allowing external pathogens to invade and cause illness. This condition is more common in early spring and late autumn, during transportation, or in young dogs.

Primary Symptoms: The disease often occurs suddenly, with symptoms such as depression, fever (3941°C), decreased or loss of appetite, red conjunctiva, and watery eyes. The dog may have runny nose, nasal itching, and will often scratch its nose with its front paw. Coughing, rapid breathing, and an increased heart rate are also common. The dog's body temperature may be uneven, with the extremities and ear tips feeling cold. According to traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, cold can be classified into windcold and windheat syndromes.

Windcold syndrome is characterized by mild fever and severe aversion to cold, clear runny nose, and is more common in winter and early spring. Windheat syndrome is characterized by severe fever, mild aversion to cold, and yellow, sticky nasal discharge, more common in late spring and summerautumn.

Western Medicine Treatment

1. Antipyretic and analgesic: Combinations of aspirin (APC) tablets and dexamethasone (36 tablets) can be taken orally twice a day for 23 days.

2. Control secondary infection: Amoxicillin at a dose of 5mg per kilogram of body weight can be administered intramuscularly twice a day for 23 days.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment

1. Take humanuse banlangen or coldclearing syrup, half a packet per dose, twice a day for 23 days.

2. Take Sangju Cold Tablets or Yinqiao Vitamin C Tablets, three times a day, three tablets per dose, for 34 days. These are suitable for windheat syndrome.