We did a favor for a relative and watched their new-from-the-animal-shelter puppy for a day, and now our dog and house cats have runny noses and are sneezing. They all have been vaccinated, although a couple of them are maybe a couple of months behind schedule. What could this be and what should I do for them? Does anyone know of any herbal or natural remedies? Thanks all!

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), December 12, 2000

Answers

Dogs and cats catch colds much the same way humans do, if they are not running a fever, or have much discharge at all, and are eating and drinking fairly normal, don't woory about it. if thet exhibit any of these symptoms, call your vet and get his/her opinion.

Garlic is a good all around remdy for dogs and cats, the only one safe to use on both species, you can use astragalus root for dogs, but I wouldn't want to try it on cats, they are so much different in their reactions to things. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), December 12, 2000.

Don't have an herbal remedy for you - but shelter animals very frequently have upper respiratory infections that often aren't treated by shelter workers. Sorry I don't have a natural cure, my shelter animals have always been treated with antibiotics for this. If your animals have had all their normal vaccinations, and are just a few months behind, it shouldn't make a difference. Most dog vaccinations actually last in the animals' immune system for longer than a year, some for several years. Many vets are now looking at giving some vaccinations only once every few years (many vets will say NO, they must be vaccinated for everything every year, but that is usually a financially based argument on their part, not scientifically based, since most vet money comes from annual vaccinations). I've run across good websites dealing with both dog vaccines and dog herbal remedies, but can't remember what the sites were off the top of my head. The Animal Protection Institute website often has good information and links (can't remember their site name, but a search under their name should find it). Good luck!

-- Julia in Tally (tofubiscuit@excite.com), December 12, 2000.