My dog is sick with flu and dirty. Can I safely give her a bath?

Poor girl. Benadryl is an antihistamine so unfortunately it won't do her any favors here because it is unlikely that this is an allergic reaction . It is best to get her seen by a veterinarian to look for the underlining cause of her illness. There are very few strains of the flu that can be transferred to our pets, but there is that slight possibility. Also if she is sick she will need prescription medication through your veterinarian to get her well again. They may have to do some baseline bloodwork to get a good picture of what is going on with her and potentially even x-rays if she is having any coughing symptoms or abnormal lung sounds. I hope she feels better soon and I would recommend scheduling an appointment as soon as possible. Best of luck and take care.

It is unlikely that he caught the flu from you. It's more likely he had a touch of gastroenteritis. If he is eating and drinking and not vomiting he should be over the worst of it. If it starts again take him to the vet in case something else is going on.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear that your dog was missing for a few days, but glad to hear you are reunited. It is safe to bathe him during this time. He may have picked up external parasites while he was out of your home, so a bath may help remove some of these. I would ensure that he receives normal monthly flea and tick preventatives, as well as monthly heartworm prevention. If he continues to act sick for more than 24 hours, I recommend having him seen by your primary veterinarian. He/she may recommend bloodwork to look for evidence of underlying disease that could be contributing to his clinical signs. I hope this is helpful!

This is generally treated with supportive care. Antibiotics may be needed to treat secondary bacterial infections. Cough suppressants and bronchodilators are generally used as well. If severe, cases should be managed in the hospital setting. I hope this helps!

Legally, we are prohibited from recommending medications, even over the counter ones, in the absence of a physical exam and a patient-veterinarian-client relationship. The good news is that you can continue to feed Chou-Choi and offer Gatorade as you have been doing. Dilute the Gatorade with an equal amount of water. Feed him as much as he'll eat without getting sick. As long as he is eating a good quality food, he will begin to gain weight. Keep him warm and as stress free as possible. Keep his eyes, nose and mouth clear. If he seems congested, run a hot shower and place him in the bathroom (NOT in the tub) for 15-20 minutes. The steam will help loosen congestion. Since a veterinarian is unavailable, consider calling a local clinic and speaking directly with a doctor. Depending on local laws, the vet may be able to send you medication if indicated. You may need to bring him to a veterinarian if he does not show signs of improvement or continues to lose weight in spite of a healthy diet.

If Luna is sore and her body is stiff I would take her to a veterinarian. Dachshunds are prone to back problems and my concern is she actually hurt her back. They would be able to provide her with medication but I also recommend very strict rest. This means no running or jumping. Ideally she would rest in a cage. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello, I am sorry to hear about Fabio. It should be alright to give him a bath. I would be extra careful to keep water away from his face and head to prevent him from aspirating any additional water. I would ensure that he is strong enough to stand on his own, as laying in the water could increase his chances of further aspiration. Hope this helps and that Fabio is feeling better!