Here Are The Symptoms, Causes And Treatment For Cold Sores In Dogs

Here Are The Symptoms, Causes And Treatment For Cold Sores In Dogs

Notice something odd and blister-like on your dog’s mouth? You may wonder if it could be a cold sore. Here’s what you need to know about them in relation to canine health.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a cold sore typically include:

  • Changes in chewing
  • Loss of appetite
  • Discoloration of lip, tongue, or gums
  • Touch avoidance
  • Licking around the affected area
  • Pawing at the affected area

A more serious cold sore may also appear as a symptom of canine herpes of your dog has had sexual content with another dog. In this case, you may see sores on their genitals.

Treatment

Most cold sores will hear on their own with a little rest and time, and they don’t cause so much discomfort that they need immediate removal. Your best bet is to prevent your dog from licking, pawing, or scratching the affected area, as this will make things worse. If a cold sore doesn’t go away after 10 days, you should speak to a vet.

Causes

Many different problems can cause cold sores to appear in dogs, including:

  • Periapical disease, a chronic form of inflammatory lesion that occurs due to bacterial infection on a tooth root
  • Periodontal disease
  • Endodontic disease
  • Eosinophilic granuloma, which is more common in cats than dogs. This causes skin lesions with a specific type of allergy-response white blood cell
  • Canine stomatitis, which requires immediate medical attention
  • Canine herpes, a sexually transmitted disease which is not dangerous for most dogs (except puppies or pregnant dogs)

Feature Image Source: Pixabay

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