Last Week: HOW TO Stop Your Dog from Choking

 

The winter months in California are far from below freezing, but dangers associated with cold weather still pose a threat to the physical well-being of your dog. Whether your pet resides on the sunny coast, or in the below freezing temperatures of Alaska, taking the proper precautions can prevent illness or injury to your pet due to cold weather.

 

Since most dogs give the impression of being hearty, sturdy, and indestructible, many pet parents neglect to take their safety into account when the winter months arrive. Yet, just like humans, dogs are in need of protection from ailments like hypothermia, frostbite, and more.

 

In a press release last year, Stephanie Shain, Director of Companion Animals Outreach for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) warned that, “Animals rely solely on their human caregivers for safety and comfort—especially during the winter months. Our pets are particularly vulnerable during this frigid season, and with just a few extra precautions you can help make sure that they stay safe and healthy.”

 

The following are a list of dangers to be aware of and precautions you can take to keep your woofing buddy safe when the rain and snow settle in this winter.

 

Hypothermia

 

In Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine’s December newsletter, DOGWatch, they advise pet parents to take special precautions for their pets when the wind chill sweeps into town. While they strongly encourage pet parents to bring all animals into the home and away from the harsh weather, they acknowledge that many pets, dogs in particular, will find themselves out in the doghouse this winter.

 

DOGWatch asks that owners be alert and aware of the potential harm of hypothermia. As described in the article, “[All] dogs, no matter how furry and powerful, are susceptible to hypothermia, a potentially fatal drop in body temperature that can result from prolonged exposure to a freezing-cold environment.”

 

They go on to explain that a dog’s normal body temperature ranges between 100.5° F and 102.5° F. “Most dogs can tolerate a temperature decline of five or six degrees (mild hypothermia) without severe or lasting damage,” says DOGWatch.

 

When dogs meet with this level of hypothermia, pet parents can help the animal come back to a normal heat level by bringing the dog indoors and covering it with blankets. Keeping the dog warm will prevent any further heat loss. The animal can then naturally regain its natural temperature. But, if the dog’s temperature falls below 95° F, the dog must immediately be taken to a veterinarian who will know the best course of action to take.

 

To spot the signs of hypothermia in Spot, pay close attention to his physical behaviors. DOGWatch describes signs of hypothermia as including, “lethargy, weakness, shivering, muscle stiffness and labored breathing.” If your dog is unresponsive seek veterinary medical attention immediately.

 

Prevention

 

The number one way to prevent hypothermia is to bring your pet into the home and away from potential cold weather harm. The HSUS calls allowing your pet into your home with his/her family the humane answer to cold weather woes.

 

“Dogs and cats are social animals who crave human companionship. Your animal companions deserve to live indoors with you and your family,” says the HSUS.

 

However, aware that many dogs (especially larger breeds), find themselves outdoors during the winter months, the HSUS offers advice for keeping your pet as warm as possible outdoors. “If your dog spends significant time outdoors… he/she must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his/her body heat.”

 

Tamar Geller, famed dog behaviorist and dog trainer to celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, suggests on her website that pet parents also turn the dog house away from the wind and cover the dog house’s entrance with something resembling a doggie door. The door can be made out of plastic, burlap, or a piece of carpet. She also suggests hanging a thermometer in the dog house to keep track of the temperature and increase your awareness of whether temperatures are reaching dangerous levels.

 

Be careful not to use blankets in snow-covered parts of the country as your dog can track snow into its dog house creating a slushy, icy mess on its blanket. This could create a situation where your dog is sleeping on a freezing cold blanket. Instead, use straw to line the floor of the dog house.

 

If a dog can’t come into the house, see if a place can’t be made for him/her in the garage or out on the patio, suggests Geller. Again, make sure they have a warmly covered doghouse, elevated and as insulated as possible, with plenty of warm blankets (if there’s no chance your dog will be tracking in snow). Geller warns though, not to run a car in the garage to warm it up while a dog is inside. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and could harm a dog.

 

The Humane Society also reminds pet parents that those pets left outdoors during the winter are in need of more nourishment “because keeping warm depletes energy.” Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s diet during the winter months.

 

Both Geller and DOGWatch insist that shorthaired dogs, puppies, and geriatric dogs should absolutely never be left outdoors in cold weather. These dogs are at much higher risk for hypothermia than others. In fact, it’s suggested that these dogs be given extra warmth by dressing them in comfortable, warm sweaters, especially when out on walks.

 

Frostbite

 

Hypothermia’s not so distant cousin is frostbite. Again, like humans, dogs are at great risk for frostbite in freezing temperatures. DOGWatch describes frostbite as a “condition in which an animal’s tissues—most frequently those on its paws, tail and the tips of its ears—are exposed to freezing temperatures. When the temperature drops below freezing, the blood flow to the outer areas of a dog’s body diminishes, a natural response that ensures an adequate flow of blood to its vital organs.”

 

When this occurs, ice crystals can build on the outer tissues of a dog’s paws, tail, and ears. This can lead to what DOGWatch calls “tissue death.” The affected areas will “become brittle and discolored—turning white, red or gray—and may peel off.”

 

A very sensitive condition, frostbite is extremely painful and best left in the hands of an experienced professional. Upon returning from being outdoors, or if you have an animal residing outdoors, make sure to routinely check its ears, paws, and tail for signs of frostbite. If frostbite’s suspected, immediately wrap the dog’s affected extremities with a blanket and take the dog to a veterinarian.

 

Once there, the veterinarian will do his/her best to cleanse the damaged area, but amputation of the affected areas can sometimes be necessary.

 

Prevention

 

As previously mentioned, make sure to constantly check on your dog’s paws, tails, and ears to detect frostbite before it advances. Again, keeping your pet indoors or in a well-shielded dog house will keep him/her safe from freezing temperatures.

 

In particular, after a dog does go outdoors for a walk or to play/run, make sure to wipe the dog down with a warm blanket, paying particular attention to those areas most susceptible to frostbite. DOGWatch also suggests limiting the amount of time that your dog spends outdoors. Though a prolonged snowball fight with Fido might be a marvelous pastime, make sure the excursions don’t reach hours of exposure to low temperatures. Remember that your dog relies on you to keep him/her safe and warm. Clean and wipe your dog’s entire body before bringing him indoors.

 

DOGWatch suggests using commercial cooking spray to coat your dog’s paws before going out on walks. The spray could add an extra layer of protection against water that can collect on your dog’s paws, freeze, and then later lead to frostbite.

 

On her website, Geller also reminds owners to keep a dog’s coat intact during the winter months. Refrain from shaving a dog’s coat down to the skin. Their coat serves as protection against the harsh weather. She also recommends that pet parents continue a regular grooming schedule to keep their dog’s coat healthy and strong. Also, she advises adding flaxseed oil, olive oil, or other supplements (for example, Omega 3) to your dog’s diet to maintain a healthy coat.

 

Antifreeze Poisoning

 

Numerous pet parents sadly lose their dogs to antifreeze poisoning every winter. Antifreeze is a chemical cryoprotectant used in car radiators. These deaths tend to be more prevalent in winter months when antifreeze is in higher demand to maintain car heating systems.

Unfortunately, for this reason, jugs of antifreeze and puddles of antifreeze can be found in backyards, driveways, and on garage floors. While humans don’t necessarily have their nose to the floor at all times, more often than not dogs are sniffing away. Because antifreeze has a sweet taste, many dogs mistake antifreeze for a tasty watery treat and lap it up. But, the chemicals in antifreeze can lead to definite death in most cases of antifreeze ingestion among animals.

 

Prevention

 

To prevent antifreeze poisoning make sure to keep antifreeze safely up and away from animals. Be sure that the garage floor has been cleaned and there are no traces of antifreeze. You can prevent dogs from licking antifreeze from the floor by covering the areas with non-toxic sand or kitty litter, as Geller suggests.

 

“The active ingredient in most brands of antifreeze is ethylene glycol, a sweet-tasting liquid that can be attractive to an animal, especially one that does not have access to an abundant source of fresh water,” says DOGWatch. For this reason, make sure that your dog always has access to a fresh bowl of water. Continually check your dog’s water bowl during winter months to make sure that the water has not frozen. Possibly even consider purchasing a heated water bowl for your dog.

 

The HSUS suggests using antifreeze products that are non-toxic to animals, if not at least purchasing antifreeze made with propylene glycol versus the commonly used antifreeze with ethylene glycol which is much more toxic to animals than the former.

 

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests wiping your dog’s body down after coming in, which will also help with preventing the ingestion of antifreeze.

 

“[A dog] can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice,” says the ASPCA. Wiping your dog down with a warm blanket will help prevent any potential harm.

 

Missing Pets

 

The winter months are also the time of year when more pets are lost than usual. “Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost,” warns the ASPCA. “More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season.”

 

Losing your best friend during the winter months will not only add to the winter gloom, but leave you in a state of desperation; a state no one wants to be in during the holiday season. Make sure to take the proper precautions by ensuring that your dog is properly tagged and micro chipped.

 

In addition, make sure that all of your records are up to date. Ensure that your pet’s ID tags are up to date with your current contact information. Also, contact your microchip company and double check the contact information they have registered for your pet. Many animals with microchips end up homeless in shelters indefinitely despite having a microchip because their owners failed to update their contact information. Don’t let this happen to your pup.

 

Winter and Cars

 

Pet parents are generally warned not to leave their dogs inside of a closed car in the summer months because of the scorching hot temperatures that the inside of a car can reach. But, rarely do you hear the warning of doing the same in the winter months. In the winter months, a car can convert into a huge metal refrigerator in cold temperatures. If left in a car during cold weather, a dog can sustain fatal injury because they’ve essentially been left to freeze to death in a large refrigerator. Keep your dog safe and out of your car for prolonged periods of time.

 

Though dogs can suffer many risks during the winter months, let’s not forget our smaller furry friends, including cats and small wildlife. In the winter, these animals seek refuge in the engines of cars where they can find shelter from cold wind. In the morning, before starting your engine, Geller suggests banging on your car’s hood to scare off any small animals that could suffer serious injuries when the engine is turned on.

 

Other Precautions

 

Though dogs have great balance thanks to their four legs and four furry paws, DOGWatch does warn against potential injuries during the winter months. Dogs can take accidental falls over snow embankments, or fall through a hole in the ice of ice-covered ponds or lakes.

 

“A dog that tumbles through a hole in the ice is likely to drown if it is not immediately rescued; even if it’s spared from drowning, hypothermia resulting from the accident can prove fatal if emergency care is not provided promptly,” says DOGWatch. Be aware and keep an eye on where you walk your dog. Try to stick to dry land or roads where the ice has been swept away for easy access.

 

Pets kept indoors should still be kept warm and cozy, but Geller reminds parents to keep an eye on the fireplace when small pets are around. She suggests using a screen to keep tails from catching fire in an open flame.

 

Stay aware, heed these precautions and enjoy a pleasant winter with a cup of warm cocoa, and a warm doggie at your side!

 

 Next Week: HOW TO Prevent Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (a.k.a. “Bloat”)

 

PHOTOS: sheepdogwhistle.com, flickr.com, kecute.wordpress.com, marylanddogsledding.com, knitterlythings.com

 

Has your dog ever fallen victim to frostbite or hypothermia? What did you do to help?

 

Tags: Alaska, antifreeze poisoning, aspca, California, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, dog frostbite, dog hypothermia, dogs cold weather, DOGWatch, HSUS, Humane Society of the United States, Stephanie Shain, tamar geller, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 at 1:39 pm and is filed under How To. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.