What leads any species to get a cold in the winter? Is it the ambient temperature changes or is it the changes in our bodies? I learned in veterinary school that anytime temperatures change more than 30 degrees in a 24 hour period that we are looking for respiratory illness. That this is what helps viruses be happy. How about the effect of day length on our pineal gland (our third eye) and our thyroid gland? If our thyroid isn’t functioning at peak levels (you know, just a little sluggish as the seasons change) our immune system is a bit off. Whammo – virus attack. So, if these things affect one species, why wouldn’t it affect another? Afterall, mammals have about the same basic organs and physiology. So, sure thing – watch for respiratory illness in pets and people as we enter winter. And, watch that everyone continues to eat and drink. What starts out as a cold can easily turn into pneumonia if the conditions are right. As soon as someone stops eating – it’s a medical emergency – time to visit the veterinarian. Don’t want a little head cold to turn into raging pneumonia.