How do I treat my dog’s illness from cats?
Because most diseases are specific for each species, they often dont pass from one species to another. If your cat is sick and youre worried that your dog may contract an illness, be sure to talk to your veterinarian. If your cat has any of the conditions listed above, such as parasites, you may want to treat your dog while youre treating your cat for preventive care or to stop the condition from getting worse in your dog as you treat your cat. For most of those common diseases that can be passed from your cat to your dog, treatment will be very similar for both of your pets. Be sure to check out our condition guides to learn more about treatment options and to get advice from an in-house veterinarian.
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Can Dogs Get Respiratory Infections From Cats?
People may think because dogs usually catch respiratory infections or kennel cough from kennels, that it must come from dogs. But, in actual fact, dogs absolutely can catch the infection from cats too! Read on to better understand the symptoms, how the infection spreads, and the treatment options.
Does My Dog Have A Respiratory Infection?
If your dog has kennel cough, there will usually be several telling symptoms to keep an eye out for. Does your dog have a persistent, dry cough? Does your dog keep gagging? Can you see nasal discharge? Do the symptoms worsen when your dog exercises or you are pulling at the collar? Has your dog’s appetite decreased and does he appear lethargic? All of these could be indicators that your dog is suffering with kennel cough.
But what causes kennel cough and how could your cat transmit the infection? The two most common causative agents of kennel cough are the Parainfluenza virus and the Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria. These viral and bacterial agents can be spread through direct contact with contaminated animals or objects, like your cat. Usually though, your dog will contract kennel cough from a kennel, animal shelters, dog spas, dog parks, or other boarding facilities. In order to diagnose a respiratory infection, your vet will undertake a physical examination, where they will listen to the lungs and coughing. They will also look for signs of fever and nasal discharge. They will also want to talk through their history with you to identify when exposure likely took place. For further information about respiratory infections, check out our guide to Parainfluenza Virus Infection in dogs.