Q&A

A Chihuahua's survival with cardiopulmonary syndrome depends on severity and care. It is a form of heart disease that cannot be cured, only managed to slow progression and ease suffering. Treatment is comprehensive: anti-infection, symptomatic and supportive care. It often strikes elderly dogs, especially overweight ones, so senior dogs should have 1-2 annual checkups.

A cold shows cough, sneezing, runny nose, and tears from immune fighting, plus tiredness and low appetite. Give warmth, water, and pet cold and anti-inflammatory medicine for relief.

This is likely not simple injury but stomatitis from calicivirus or immune disease. Check the mouth for bad odor, drooling, difficulty swallowing, and red ulcers. See a vet to confirm the cause.

Oxytetracycline dosing is by weight, about 12.5 to 25 mg per kg, so 20 jin means about 125 to 250 mg. It is used for respiratory, intestinal, and eye infections, but not all diarrhea; see a vet, and avoid it in allergic, young, or pregnant dogs.

A cold shows sneezing, runny nose, cough, lethargy and poor appetite, sometimes fever. Try pet cold medicine for 2-3 days, but see a vet if severe or febrile, especially if unvaccinated, since signs mimic distemper or kennel cough.

A large bag can block the airway or cause intestinal blockage with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; toxic chemicals may poison the dog. Watch the stool, and see a vet if it vomits, breathes hard or loses appetite.

These signs need a vet check because many diseases start this way; consider distemper, parvo or corona, or organ disease. A true cold usually causes a wet nose, not dry, and dehydration itself dries the nose.

The Taicang hunting dog has a very keen sense of smell with many sensitive receptors, useful in hunting and search-and-rescue to track prey or people by scent.

Heatstroke death shows drooling, bluish mucous membranes, labored breathing, convulsions, fast pulse, dehydration, coma and dilated pupils. Prevent by avoiding long outdoor activity in summer and giving water; cool and treat promptly if symptoms appear.

Drinking disinfectant can cause poisoning; severity depends on ingredients, amount, time, weight, age. Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rapid or difficult breathing, coma, mucosal bleeding (mouth, nose, tear ducts). Rush to a vet; on the way give water or milk to dilute, but do not induce vomiting.