Joey has a cold?
 

Joey has been sneezing a lot for the past day and today he is all snurgly and has a little green discharge from one eye. No coughing, but I wonder if he needs the vet or maybe it will improve on its own. He is acting fine and eating like his usual dainty self, from my hand only. I thought maybe I would give him some pediasure tonight just to be safe. I feel guilty because we were in Brooklyn on Sunday and he walked with Sadie and me everywhere. Who knows what was on those city sidewalks. I should have carried him.

Green eye discharge would need a vet visit...

This morning no green discharge, just stuffy nose and sneezing. If the green gunk doesn't come back, could I wait a bit? Can dogs catch colds from people? My daughter was really sick over the weekend with the flu, not swine flu, thank goodness.

I can only tell you what I'd do and if I saw green discharge from Ellie's eye but it went away and the rest of the symptoms stayed, I'd go to the vet. There is no guarantee that the vet would do a thing for it though. If your vet doesn't mind phone calls, why not call and ask if you should bring him in?

hmmmm....he could have or be getting an upper respiratory infection. Or allergies...

Not sure they can get a cold from humans, but he could have picked up something from the outing :(

I'm going to call the vet and see what they say. I didn't realize dogs can have nasal allergies. I know a lot of humans who are suffering right now. Thanks to both of you for responding.

Sending Joey good wishes. May be allergies Donna.
I hope not. Everyone is sneezing dogs and people this time
of year. The green discharge may be infection. Better
safe than sorry.

Allergies wouldn't cause a green discharge. Green indicates an infection.

I would take him to your vet. He will probably prescribe antibiotics.

Is he still on the Metro?

A Runny nose is a symptom that should never be ignored in young pups or older dogs. It may not be anything yet, but these things can turn so quickly, and rapid response is so necessary to save a life. Pets are vaccinated for some of the worst illnesses out there, but there's a whole slew of viruses and bacterias out there that our pets are not protected against, and can be deadly.

My Peek a Boo was put on the wrong AB initially, early on in his treatment. In less than 2 days, his tongue was turning purple from lack of oxygen, and his breathing was very shallow. Thank God I caught it in time and was able to stimulate him enough to turn his tongue pink again. If I had missed that sign, he would have died in his bed. (I thought he was sleeping, but decided to check his gum color anyway). When I took his temp and it was 105.6, I knew he needed to be seen right away. If I hadn't discovered his fever, I never would have realized how close to death he was. I've been a Vet Tech for 20+ years and I feel even with all my experience, I still came way too close to losing him forever.

Never, never, never ignore a runny nose. Watch them like a hawk, and if there is no improvement in 24 hours, get back to the vet not asap, but right away.