Bean stands to attention in the snow
Some dogs, like the Labrador and Golden Retrievers in my family love winter. The colder the better! They will quite literally break ice to go for a swim, which might be fun for them, and enjoyable for us to watch but it’s downright dangerous!
Hypothermia, frostbite, salt burns to the pads from salt and grit spread on pavements – these are all avoidable winter problems.
HYPOTHERMIA
Exposure to extreme cold can chill the whole body. This is hypothermia. If your dog’s core temperature drops catastrophically life is threatened. Many dogs are protected from the extremes of cold by their dense fur but those with short, smooth hair or little body fat are most susceptible to hyperthermia.
HAS YOUR DOG BEEN IN COLD WATER OR OTHERWISE EXPOSED TO EXTREME COLD AND
- IS NOW SHIVERING AND DISORIENTED?
- IS DROWSY AND EXHAUSTED?
- ITS RECTAL TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 98 DEGREES?
- IT IS IN CONVULSIONS OR A COMA?
IS YOUR DOG A YOUNG PUP OR A SMALL OR THIN COATED BREED LIKE A WHIPPET
THAT HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO ONLY MODERATE COLD
BUT IS SHOWING ANY OF THE ABOVE SIGNS?
If your dog or cat is showing any of these signs it is in danger:
1. Wrap it in warm blankets. (Warm blankets quickly in your clothes drier.)
2. Place a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel against the dog’s abdomen. Be sure to wrap the hot water bottle. An unwrapped one will burn the skin.
3. Call us immediately on 020 7723 2068. At nights, weekends and holidays call our Emergency Veterinary Clinic on 020 7730 9102 for more specific advice.
4. If your dog is conscious give warmed fluids to drink.
FROSTBITE
The extremities such as the tips of the ears and tail have least protection. These can suffer from local freezing, or frostbite.
HAS YOUR DOG BEEN EXPOSED TO ICY WIND, SNOW OR LOW TEMPERATURES AND
- THE EAR TIPS ARE EITHER PALE OR RED AND PUFFY?
- THERE IS PAIN WHEN THE EARS, TAIL, OR PAWS ARE TOUCHED?
- THE SKIN IS COLD AND REMAINS COLD?
If your dog shows any of these signs it may have frostbite.
1. Massage the area gently with a warm hand towel. Don’t rub hard or squeeze. This can further damage the affected area.
2. Warm the frozen parts with cool to tepid water. As thawing occurs the skin becomes reddened. If frostbitten areas are warmed too quickly they become very painful. Call us on 020 7723 2068 (out of hours 020 7730 9102) for further specific advice.
SALT AND GRIT DAMAGE TO THE PAWS
Road salt makes pavements safer for us but more dangerous for dogs.
If your dog wants on salted or gritted pavments always wash its feet when you return home.
Use tepid to cold water. Washing with hot water will make the feet tingly and your dog will chew even more.
If the paws look reddened or swollen or your dog is obsessed with chewing them telephone us for more advice. Ring 020 7723 2068 during regular hours and 020 7730 9102 on nights and weekends.