Protect Your Pet This Winter
With the weather starting to grow colder PDSA is urging pet owners to protect their four-legged friends from the dangers of hypothermia (low body temperature) this winter.
Hypothermia is caused by exposure to cold weather and can occur after just a few minutes in freezing temperatures.
Cold weather can cause an animal’s body temperature to plummet. This can result in hypothermia which in severe cases can be fatal. The first sign that a pet is cold is when they shiver; however this stops if their temperature falls dangerously low. They can then become confused and subdued, with cold ears and feet. Their heart rate and breathing may also become slow or irregular.
Among dogs, hypothermia is more commonly seen in the small, old or sick. Some breeds with low body fat or thin coats, such as whippets and greyhounds, are more susceptible. Puppies and kittens are particularly vulnerable as they have difficulty controlling their body temperature and should always be kept indoors during cold weather.
PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley, comments: “The first thing you should do if you suspect your pet is suffering from hypothermia or frostbite is to make sure they are dry. Then, gradually raise their body temperature by placing them next to a well-covered hot water bottle or use a hair dryer, on a low heat. It is very important to call or visit your vet for advice.”
Prevention is the key to stopping hypothermia. Here are some tips from PDSA:
Do:
· Bring pets indoors during cold temperatures
· Keep dogs on a lead to prevent accidents and injury caused by snow and ice
· Be wary of icy river banks and slopes leading to water, and frozen ponds – dogs can easily fall in
· Dress vulnerable dogs in suitable dog coats when going for walks to protect them from the cold
· Clean and dry your pet’s paws after a walk outside in the cold
· Ask your dog’s groomer to clip the hair between the toes, to prevent snow becoming trapped and developing into ice-balls
Don’t:
· Leave pets outside for any length of time without access to shelter and warmth
· Allow dogs to rest on frozen ground (this can lead to frostbite)
· Leave animals outside after exercise
· Take dogs for long walks outside when it is cold and wet
· Leave pets alone in a car, conservatory or caravan – hypothermia can set in very quickly!
Read our weekly animal health articles at http://www.in2town.co.uk or http://www.in2town.co.uk/PDSA-animal-magazine-and-animal-advice.html
Hypothermia is caused by exposure to cold weather and can occur after just a few minutes in freezing temperatures.
Cold weather can cause an animal’s body temperature to plummet. This can result in hypothermia which in severe cases can be fatal. The first sign that a pet is cold is when they shiver; however this stops if their temperature falls dangerously low. They can then become confused and subdued, with cold ears and feet. Their heart rate and breathing may also become slow or irregular.
Among dogs, hypothermia is more commonly seen in the small, old or sick. Some breeds with low body fat or thin coats, such as whippets and greyhounds, are more susceptible. Puppies and kittens are particularly vulnerable as they have difficulty controlling their body temperature and should always be kept indoors during cold weather.
PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley, comments: “The first thing you should do if you suspect your pet is suffering from hypothermia or frostbite is to make sure they are dry. Then, gradually raise their body temperature by placing them next to a well-covered hot water bottle or use a hair dryer, on a low heat. It is very important to call or visit your vet for advice.”
Prevention is the key to stopping hypothermia. Here are some tips from PDSA:
Do:
· Bring pets indoors during cold temperatures
· Keep dogs on a lead to prevent accidents and injury caused by snow and ice
· Be wary of icy river banks and slopes leading to water, and frozen ponds – dogs can easily fall in
· Dress vulnerable dogs in suitable dog coats when going for walks to protect them from the cold
· Clean and dry your pet’s paws after a walk outside in the cold
· Ask your dog’s groomer to clip the hair between the toes, to prevent snow becoming trapped and developing into ice-balls
Don’t:
· Leave pets outside for any length of time without access to shelter and warmth
· Allow dogs to rest on frozen ground (this can lead to frostbite)
· Leave animals outside after exercise
· Take dogs for long walks outside when it is cold and wet
· Leave pets alone in a car, conservatory or caravan – hypothermia can set in very quickly!
Read our weekly animal health articles at http://www.in2town.co.uk or http://www.in2town.co.uk/PDSA-animal-magazine-and-animal-advice.html