Winter is always a busy season for us veterinarians. There are a number of threats that can put the health and safety of your dearest pet at risk during this time of year. Here are some top tips from our Sykesville vet staff on how you can keep your pet safe from those wintry threats.
Frostbite and Hypothermia
Dogs and cats may have fur, but that doesn’t make them 100% resistant to cold temperatures. In fact, they are just as susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia as humans are.
Your pet can get frostbite on the nose, ears, or feet if he or she is exposed to freezing temperatures, even for just a short while. But it takes a few days for frostbite signs (including whitish, grayish, or reddish patches on the skin) to surface.
It is easier to tell if your pet is suffering from hypothermia, as you’ll notice right way changes in mood and behavior due to the drop in body temperature. They’ll shiver, slow down, or stop moving. They’ll seem weaker and anxious. And they’ll start searching for warm places where he or she can burrow and hide.
How to Prevent:
Don’t leave your pet outside unattended when the weather is freezing. Or simply keep your pet inside the house (a must for those pets in their senior years, pets that are or have recently been sick, and pets with thin fur coats and low body-fat reserves).
Make sure their doghouse, if they have one, is well-insulated, with the doorway covered or facing away from the wind and the floor elevated off the cold ground.
Clip the hair between their toes to prevent snow from collecting there. When you’re out for a walk, constantly check for any ice balls in their paws so you can remove it straightaway. You could also have your pet wear booties and a sweater.
Antifreeze Poisoning
During winter, car owners usually add antifreeze to the water in their car’s engine so it won’t freeze. When the substance spills or leaks from the radiator, however, its sweet smell and taste attracts cats and dogs.
This is one situation you should try to avoid, as automotive antifreeze is highly toxic to pets, with cases of accidental poisoning reaching over 10,000 each year. All it takes to really harm them is just one or two tablespoons for cats and three tablespoons for medium-sized dogs.
Within 12 hours of ingesting antifreeze, your pet may vomit and stumble as she walks and appear to be in a depressed state. If treatment is not administered right away, their kidneys could shut down (12 to 24 hours post-ingestion for cats and 36 to 72 hours for dogs) and result in death shortly after.
How to Prevent:
Don’t delay the cleanup of antifreeze spills, if you absolutely need to add it to your vehicle. Once you’re done, make sure your antifreeze container is out of your pet’s reach and is sealed tightly.
Use antifreeze that doesn’t contain the ingredient ethylene glycol. One safe alternative is the formulation that uses propylene glycol.
Wipe down or rinse in warm water your pet’s paws to remove antifreeze (or any other chemicals) that he or she might have picked up during your walk.
Arthritis
Winter tends to bring about cases of seasonal arthritis, or inflamed joints due largely to the cold, damp weather. This is the likely culprit if your dog or cat limps when they walk, has a hard time sitting or jumping, whimpers as they move, or seem to be slowing down in terms of physical activity.
If your pet already has arthritis, expect the condition to worsen. He or she may find it more painful to get up, lay down, or climb the stairs, or they might cry or whine in discomfort each time you carry them.
How to Prevent:
Make sure your pet is checked on with a physical or preventive care exam before winter rolls in. Keep your arthritic dog or cat indoors as much as possible, as they may slip and fall when they walk on packed snow or ice.
Undernourishment and Dehydration
If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, their food and water intake should be among your priorities. For one, they need extra calories to generate the energy and heat required to stay warm and nourished. Two, or or she needs unlimited access to fresh water to prevent dehydration, which often happens when the water in the bowl freezes solid.
How to Prevent:
Beef up your pet’s diet. Focus on high-caloric, protein-rich food. Change their water regularly or several times in a day, and use a pet-safe heated bowl, which comes in plastic or stainless steel.
We know that winter can be a challenging time for both pets and pet owners. But with the information and tips above, we hope you’ll find it easier to keep your pet safe, healthy and happy throughout the season.
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