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Cold
weather can be as much of a health hazard to
your pet, as it can be to you. Hypothermia is a condition in which an animal, or human,
chills in cold weather to the point that the
internal body temperature drops.
How
can this happen?
When
it is damp, snowing, raining, windy, or sleeting
outside, fur may not be enough protection
against these elements.
When fur gets damp, its presence can be
more of a hindrance, than help.
What
are the signs of hypothermia?
The
signs can include such symptoms as shivering,
weakness, lethargy, and disorientation.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if
such symptoms occur.
Which
pets are most affected by the cold?
Pets
who are already suffering from an illness,
especially kidney, liver, or heart disease, are
drastically affected by the cold weather.
Also senior pets (over 7 years old),
young pets (under 1 year old), and short haired
animals are most affected.
How
can hypothermia be prevented?
-
During
cold weather, keep your pet under good
shelter, only allowing he or she to access
the outdoors when he or she needs to urinate
or defecate.
-
When
your pet does go outside during extreme cold
weather, keep the time brief.
Larger dogs with a lot of fur, can
stay out longer than smaller dogs with less
fur.
-
Your
pet may need a sweater or coat to help
protect it from the cold.
Most pet stores have sweaters
available for pets.
- Clean
your pet’s paws of snow and salt, once it
comes in from being out in the snow.
Snow can form ice-balls between your
pets toes, and salt can cause chemical burns
on the paws.
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