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In many parts across the world, winters are quite extreme. The
cold weather brings the risk of hypothermia, a precipitous drop
in body temperature of your dog, along with it. While both humans
and dogs are equally susceptible to the condition, dogs are
affected more severely as they are smaller and have a higher
normal body temperature. The normal body temperature of dogs is
around 102oF. If it drops any lower than that, you should seek
medical attention.
Causes of hypothermia
Exposure to cold is one of the most common causes of hypothermia.
However, it can also affect dogs which are at normal room
temperatures if they have a higher risk – very old and very young
dogs, and any dog under anesthesia. Smaller breeds are also
affected disproportionately as they lose body heat faster through
their skin.Hypothalamic diseases, like hyperthyroidism, can cause
hypothermia as this part is responsible for regulating the body
temperature. If your dog has been out in extreme weather for a
long time, particularly if his/her skin or fur is wet or if they
have been submerged in icy water, you should check for signs of
hypothermia immediately. It can also be caused by shock, which
can be diagnosed by checking the gums of the dog. If they are
white or extremely pale and your dog is more lethargic than
usual, seek immediate medical attention.As mentioned above, dogs
can get hypothermic if they have to undergo anesthetization for
extended periods. However, veterinary anesthesiologists are
trained to watch out for it and treat them if it happens. So,
regular dog owners do not have to worry about it.
Diagnosis
Excessive shivering followed by lethargy is the first sign of
hypothermia. Frostbite on ears, paws or tail can be another sign.
You will see a pale bluish or gray discoloration, that will cause
your dog to experience pain if you touch it. The areas that are
affected can swell up and develop ulcers or blisters. If the case
of frostbite is extreme, the skin will turn black and die. Theses
are the successive stages:
- Shivering, weakness and lack of alertness.
- Low blood pressure, muscle stiffness, stupor, and slow
breathing.
- Dilated and fixed pupils, inaudible heartbeat, breathing
difficulties, and coma.
How to treat it
If the body temperature is below 98oF, take your pet to the
emergency care. Otherwise, you can raise the body temperature
through the following methods:
- Warm a thick blanket on a radiator and wrap your dog in it.
- Wrap a towel around a hot water bottle and place it against
the stomach. Ensure that you do not use an unwrapped bottle, as
it
- might burn your dog.
- If he is conscious, make him drink warm fluids.
Make sure that your dog stays still as excessive movement can
lead to loss of body heat. If there is a slight drop in
temperature during rewarming, do not be alarmed. It is a sign of
the colder blood that is closer to the surface mingling with the
warmer blood inside the body, and should stabilize soon.To avoid
such situations altogether, take frequent and shorter walks with
your pet and get protective
jackets and boots,
especially if it is not bred for the cold. Pay more caution if
your dog is hypoglycemic. Do your part as the pack leader to
protect your pup.
Avoid the Dog Flu This Winter
Once winter rolls into town, many parents will take their kids to
the doctor to get the flu vaccine. No one wants to spend long
days shivering under a blanket, but are dog owners neglecting to
protect their furry friends?
The story of
dog flu
According to Dogster, the pooch version of the influenza
virus - called H3N8 - was
first identified in 2004
. The canine strain is highly contagious among dogs, but has
never affected veterinarians or pet parents. Infection risks
increase in places with a large number of dogs and high turnover
rates, such as animal shelters and kennels. There's an optional
vaccine for canines who don't frequent these facilities, too.The
dog flu affects their respiratory systems and results in symptoms
that are similar to kennel cough, which is considered to be the
common cold for pooches. The virus spreads both through the air
and infected objects that have come into contact with carriers.
Like other diseases, young puppies and senior dogs are at the
greatest risk due to weakened immune systems.Because it's
relatively new, canines don't have a natural immunity to the
virus like humans do. Therefore, their
symptoms can fluctuate anywhere from mild to
severe
, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Infected pooches might start coughing, sneezing, or
even develop a slight fever.If pooches are sick with the flu,
their treatment usually involves the same protocols as humans -
lots of rest and water. However, any severe cases will require a
visit to the vet's office for professional treatment.
Manage dog health care in the
winter
The extreme cold is on its way, and with it comes the risk of
disease. But the right precautions allow owners to practice
optimal
dog health care
to ensure that their furry friends avoid canine flu and other
diseases.The Association of Professional Dog Trainers explained
that one of the hazards that pups face during the winter is
paw damage from the harsh weather
conditions
. Salt is usually poured onto roads and sidewalks to prevent
slips, but the material can cause severe irritation to the paw
pads. The source recommended pet parents purchase boots to
protect their pooches from salt and chafing.Signing up for
PetPlus
grants owners access to countless accessories and supplements at
discounted prices that can make
dog health care
easy to maintain.
