Is This a Cold

[MamaSu]

Hi Everyone, I'm new. The puppy I went to pick up in June turned out to be a false post, but I'm back now with a 9 week old! Finally! I picked him up Monday, however, his eyes started looking a little weepy (that part has mostly cleared up) now they just look a little puffy on the lids and he has a runny nose. I don't mean like an allergy or sniffly, I mean like SNOT! Like when we as humans get a rotten cold. The Vet saw him Tues and said he just has a cold, but we discussed that there is always that one percent chance of Distemper. He didn't believe it was.... So I am watching and waiting. Appetite's fine, activity is good, happy, curious, etc., temp is usually 100-101, stools are good..until today. They turned runny today and now I'm worrying. Is it the new food he started a couple of days ago with no problem or is it just part of the cold, or do I go back to the Vet? I called today and they said to give him Benadryl 25mg 2xday. I guess I'm posting this just like a new Mom that wants to be told everything is fine. So tell me! Thanks!

 

[ardeagold]

Diarrhea could be from the food switch. Did you switch over gradually? Or it could be from whatever he's got.

The runny eyes and runny nose could be allergies or yes, it could be distemper. Just watch the "snot" and if it turns yellow (or the eye glop), I'd take him back in. Also if he gets lethargic, stops eating, having trouble breathing, etc. get him right in.

Don't take him anywhere except home right now and keep strange dogs away. I'd wait until he's a bit older (and healthy) before having him around a lot of strangers and large groups of people even at your house. Give him a chance to settle in and get comfortable. Keep him segregated from all other strange dogs until he's healthy enough to be out AND has had his second set of vaccinations.

Dogs don't really get "colds", but they can get viruses, and of course bacterial infections. So do be careful until he's 100%.

Also, call the breeder and see if she's had any other puppies with the same problem. This is how distemper presents:

"In the initial stages of Canine Distemper, the major symptoms include high fever (102 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius), reddened eyes, and a watery discharge from the nose and eyes. An infected dog will become lethargic and tired, and will usually become anorexic. Persistent coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. In the later stages of the disease, the virus starts attacking the other systems of the dog’s body, particularly the nervous system. The brain and spinal cord are affected and the dog may start having fits, seizures, paralysis, and attacks of hysteria."

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions...gclid=CInkhbOQ2rICFUid4AodVAkAlg#.UGaQ6a4mWSo

If you're in doubt, and he doesn't get better very soon, take him in for blood and urine tests.

 

[MamaSu]

Thanks! This is definitely looking like just a virus then. I've just never seen so much snot, for lack of a better word, in a dog! I feel like I'm chasing a 4 yr old child with my tissue, lol. The diarrhea has cleared in just a day also, so it was the food change. I dogsit my son's Lab mix during the day and this has been a very long week for her not being able to come over. I was surprised when the vet said I didn't need to keep them apart, but then the puppy presented very mild at that point. Wasn't my usual Vet (and now I remember why)
So now I think it's a matter of time for the 'cold' to run its course. I wouldn't mind some better input on how soon I can bring the 17 mos old dog back into the house, as I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the Vet's 'no biggie' attitude.
Thanks again, Su

 

[ardeagold]

Honestly it could be allergies, but I'd go back to the Vet and have them do a full work up. Puppies don't usually have allergies like that. The only dog I've ever had (and I've had a LOT of them over the years) with lots of snot is one who was VERY ill with a severe sinus infection that took forever to clear up. He still has allergies and will get a bit of a runny nose sometimes during the day, but NOTHING like before. And he's an adult.

Its possible there's something stuck up there that he's inhaled when sniffing. Take him to your normal Vet....and have them figure out what's going on.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Dogs don't usually get colds and that amount of discharge sounds unusual. I would see your regular vet. Does your breeder have any ideas?

 

[marylouz]

A puppy who is not fully immunized and who has nasal discharge and loose stool should be tested for parvo and distemper ASAP - you should keep him away from other dogs and do not let him walk on the ground at the vet clinic- carry him or put him in a crate on a dolly - these diseases can be highly treatable if caught early but can get very serious very fast (requiring a week plus of hospitalization) - I don't mean to sound like an alarmist but as part of my day job I get too many phone calls from the emergency vet for parvo pups.

 

[MamaSu]

Hi, and thanks for all the support! I'm glad to say he's feeling better. 25 mg of Benadryl a day helped the discharge but I noticed a smell from his mouth that was sort of metallic or something, which reminded me of times I've had a sinus infection. The doc put him on antibiotics and we're back to wonderful puppy breath! Yay! He's doing speed laps around the house, leaping onto the couch and running up and behind me and back down the other side! Yikes, ha ha! NOW, we have the fish smell and the chasing the bum So onto my next question...how do I choose a good pet insurance?? Thanks everyone