December Newsletter

Winter can be an amusing season for both you and your pet.  For some dogs, there is nothing more exciting than playing in the snow.  However, as fun as the snow may be, winter conditions can be potentially dangerous. If you keep these simple guidelines in mind, you and your pet can enjoy the winter season safely.

The most obvious concern that comes with the winter season is the extreme cold.  While we are all bundled up in our snow clothes, it can be easy to forget that our four-legged friends may not be warm enough with just their fur to protect them.  A couple concerns that are associated with the cold weather are frostbite and hypothermia.  Both can result from being out in the cold for too long, however their causes are not exactly the same.  Frostbite occurs from exposure to extreme cold, or direct contact with an extremely cold surface such as glass or metal.  Most often, the pads of the paws, the tips of the ears and external genitalia are affected.  Treatment for frostbite includes warm compresses, bandages, antibiotics and pain medications.  Do not rub a frostbitten body part to warm it up, as it is a painful wound.  Watch for pale or blue tinted skin, skin that is cold to the touch, or skin that appears to be numb.

Hypothermia is also caused by exposure to extreme cold, and is defined as the body temperature dropping below normal (100.0F to 102.5F).  If your pet’s temperature is a couple degrees below normal you will need to increase their temperature with warm blankets and/or hot water bottles.  However, if your pet’s temperature drops more than a couple degrees below normal, they may require veterinary attention.  When body temperatures reach below 82.0F, the animal can no longer elevate their temperature on their own, and veterinary care is critical.  Signs of hypothermia include shivering (however shivering will cease when the body temperature is below 87.0F), slow and shallow breathing, slowed heart rate, and body tension.  Prevention of frostbite and hypothermia includes shorter walks when it is extremely cold outside, booties to prevent frostbite, jackets or sweaters for smaller dogs, warm places to sleep, and never leaving your pet outside for extended periods of time without adequate shelter.

Another concern about the winter season is one that is not quite as obvious.  The antifreeze used in your car is extremely poisonous to your pet.  It contains ethylene glycol, which can cause metabolic acidosis and renal failure.  A pet can easily mistake spilled antifreeze for something to drink off the floor.  If you catch your pet doing this, they need immediate veterinary attention.  However, you may not notice your pet ingesting antifreeze, so signs to watch for are not eating, vomiting, lethargy, seizures, and your pet walking like they are intoxicated.  If you notice these symptoms, it is imperative that you get your pet to the veterinarian right away as the chances of recovery become fewer the longer the ethylene glycol is in the animal’s system. Treatment includes giving the antidote, flushing the stomach, administering activated charcoal, and then maintenance treatment such as IV fluids and/or peritoneal dialysis.  The prognosis depends on how quickly ethylene glycol poisoning is diagnosed, but it can vary from excellent to grave.  It is important to keep antifreeze put away where it cannot spill and where your pet cannot get to it.

Avoiding hypothermia, frostbite, and antifreeze poisoning can be easy, and can allow for a safe and fun winter.  Don’t forget to contact your veterinarian if you have any questions.  Stay warm and enjoy the snow!