What Should I Do if My Shih Tzu is Sick with Cold or Flu Symptoms?
Bear in mind that canines can catch common species-specific colds (from viruses like canine respiratory corona virus) as mentioned earlier. They may be super-contagious between dogs (but they are not transmitted to humans). Symptoms may mimic the ones we’ve seen with humans that have COVID-19, but they are not the same.
So far, there has not been a dog that has been ill with COVID-19.
So, if your Shih Tzu has a cold, it’s probably due to one of the known viruses that canines are struggling with. There are also other issues such as seasonal or other allergies and other respiratory diseases that could be at play.
That said, although there are no recorded incidents of dogs becoming ill with COVID-19 as yet, if your Shih Tzu has cold symptoms and especially if they have recently been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, call the veterinarian to notify them of the contact (if applicable) and relay their symptoms. The vet is going to guide you from there.
