Dogs and colds

[Chilli]

The pug seems to have a cold. A bit of a runny nose. Now for reasons that are best not explained, "Chilli Pug" likes to sit on my chest whilst in bed and stare at me. Not usually a problem, but it's his runny nose you see! Anyways, I now have a cold...

a) I wonder if my cold is from him?
b) can I get the little fella something for it?

[bexVN]

Colds do not usually cross the human to dog barrier (or vice versa) THough hamsters can get human colds!

Dogs do get viruses and there are several things that can cause a rhinitis. TBH if discharge is anything other than clear, if it's abnormal to him and it continues for more than a few days then he ought to be checked with any other unusual symptoms (esp being a brachycephalic breed)

[DavesFlaps]

I always thought viruses were species specific, so you couldn't catch a cold from a dog or vice versa.

I'm not a vet, so I could be wrong.

[bexVN]

Some viruses can cross the species barrier, animal to human crossover is known as a zoonotic disease and includes e.g. rabies (but there are hundreds more viruses, bacteria etc that can do this either directly or indirectly). There is a word for diseases which pass from human to animal but I can't remember the word!

Edited by bexVN on Tuesday 23 November 13:01