| Hypothermia Prevention for Dogs |
|
|
|
| Written by Kitty Teddy | ||||
| Saturday, 29 December 2007 | ||||
 As the cold months approach, ensure that your dog is safe and warm this season by taking steps to prevent hypothermia.- Hypothermia in Dogs – The Signs to Look Out For Dog owners are all too aware of the dangers overheating can cause to their dogs in the summer so refrain from leaving them in cars and keep them out of the sun etc; but many are unaware of the dangers that low body temperature can cause. Just as in overheat conditions, exposure to freezing temperature for only a few minutes can cause a dogs body temperature to fall and result in hypothermia – early signs include shivering, cold feet and ears; but as this becomes more severe, the dog may become subdued, confused and their breathing and heart rate will become irregular and slow down. - Dogs Most at Risk Old and sick dogs are clearly more at risk due to a lowered immune system; but smaller dogs whose bodies are closer to the floor, those dogs who have less body fat, and dogs with thin coats are all more susceptible to hypothermia - even after a very short walk. - Treatment for Dog Hypothermia If your dog has been exposed to cold conditions and you suspect that she or he is suffering from hypothermia, the first thing to do is to assess how severe the condition is – as with all our tips pages, we strongly advise you to seek professional help from your vet if your pet is showing severe signs. Following this check, dry your pet thoroughly and then raise the dogs temperature gradually by using a hair dryer on low heat, or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel and placed near their body. - Kitty & Teddy’s Pet Care Guide to Prevent Dog Hypothermia Its great fun taking your dog for a walk on a crisp frosty day or when fresh snow has just fallen; and by following our top tips you can ensure that you continue to enjoy these activities and that your dog is safe. - • Clean and dry your dogs feet thoroughly when you come back from a walk. Pay particular attention to their toes and ensure that no snow is trapped between them that may have formed into ice. • Ask your groomer to trim away hair between their toes to prevent snow from forming into ice-balls. • When walking your dog, keep them on a lead and keep them away from slopes or banks of rivers. Ponds and iced over lakes can also cause problems – do not let your dog swim in water even if the weather has become warmer as the water temperature will stay lower for a long time after thaw. • Dress your dog in suitable clothing, many fashionable and practical garments can now be purchased for pets of all sizes from pet shops. • Do not leave your dog out in the cold for any length of time without access to shelter or warmth. • Do not leave your dog in a car – temperatures can plummet quite rapidly. -   Add as favourites (0) |  Quote this article on your site | Views: 396
Only registered users can write comments.
              |
||||
| Next > |
|---|
|
| Directory Categories |
|---|
| Login Form |
|---|
|
| News Letter |
|---|
| Wed, Sep 17th Take your dog to work day |
