Cold Weather Hazards

Did you know that your pets can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite, despite having fur coats? The most common cause of hypothermia is prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. During the cold weather, monitor your pet’s outdoor activity. Puppies, kittens, senior pets, and pets with various medical conditions are at the most risk, but any pet is at risk. The safest way to protect your pet is to only let them outside for short periods of time. Don’t ever leave an animal put in the cold temperatures for extended periods! The consequences could cost him his life.

Hypothermia is the lowering of the body’s core temperature. Hypothermia can be fatal. The extent of the injuries varies with the body temperature and duration of hypothermia. Mild hypothermia causes an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, but if the time and severity of heat loss continues, heart rate and blood pressure decline and cardiac arhythmias or cardiac arrest can occur.  Severe hypothermia leads to respiratory problems, lethargy, lack of coordination, paralysis and possibly even death.

The first symptom of hypothermia is shivering. When a pet shivers, there is an increase in muscle activity, which increases heat production. At the same time, blood circulation shifts away from his legs and feet to his internal organs. Other symptoms include slow and shallow breathing, weakness, and listlessness.

First Aid for Hypothermia:

·  Move your pet to a warm room.

·  Warm your pet by wrapping him in blankets.

·  Use hot water bottles wrapped in warms towels to keep him warm.

·  Warm him with a heat lamp or hair dryer. Keep the lamp or dryer 12 inches away from the animal.

·  Seek veterinary care as soon as possible, even if it appears that your pet is fine. Kidney and bladder problems are common in pets that have been exposed to cold temperatures.

Prolonged exposure to the cold can also result in frostbite. Frostbite is the death of tissue in the extremities. Dogs and cats toes, tails, ear tips, foot pads, legs, and male dog’s genitalia are the most common frostbite areas. Frostbite can be very painful and can result in amputation of the dead tissue to avoid gangrene.

Symptoms of frostbite include ice on the body and limbs, shivering, and bright red tissues turning to a pale color or black color.

First Aid for Frostbite:

·  Warm the affected area rapidly with warm water using towels or warmed ice packs.

·  If a limb or paw is affected, soak it only in a bath or bowl of warm water. Do not immerse the animal completely in a bath since this will cause the body temperature to decrease.

·  Dry gently after you have warmed the area.

·  Avoid rubbing or massaging the frozen tissue.

·  Always seek veterinary care as soon as possible.