For dogs, a cold is a common illness. Just like humans, a dog with a cold may sneeze, have a runny nose, lose its appetite, and become listless. Although the Saint Bernard is a large breed, it can still catch a cold, and treating illness in a giant dog can be more troublesome. Below are the common symptoms of a cold in Saint Bernards and some basic treatment ideas.
Symptoms of a Saint Bernard Cold
Colds in Saint Bernards usually happen in early spring, late autumn, or at times of major climate change. Most cases are caused by sudden exposure to cold, such as winter drafts, sleeping in poorly protected indoor spaces, staying outdoors in cold seasons, getting caught in the rain, or not being dried properly after a bath. The main symptoms include low spirits, loss of appetite, red conjunctiva, and watery eyes. If treatment is delayed, the dog may also develop coughing, thick nasal discharge, faster breathing, fever, shivering from cold, or even tracheitis and bronchitis.
Treatment for a Saint Bernard Cold
If your Saint Bernard catches a cold, there is no need to panic. There are several ways people commonly try to manage it. Some owners use mild cold remedies in small amounts, and they may also use amoxicillin based on body weight. Diet can also be adjusted by offering foods such as radish, ginger soup, or brown sugar tea, reducing salt intake, mixing a little honey into dog food, and gently massaging around the nose and body to promote circulation. These measures may provide some support during recovery.
It is true that treating illness in a giant Saint Bernard can be troublesome, and medication can be harder to manage because of the dog's size. Since an adult Saint Bernard often weighs close to a human adult, some people assume many human medicines can be used without major concern over dosage. In practice, however, the safest approach is still to take a sick dog to the veterinarian in time so the condition does not worsen.