|
|
|
|
|
Winter presents potentially serious
health threats to pets, so it is especially important for pet owners to take
extra precautions. Hypothermia: A pet that is kept outside is in danger of hypothermia if temperatures go below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to provide proper shelter for your pets. If yours is an indoor pet, his or her bed or crate should be kept in a warm, draft-free area, preferably elevated slightly off the floor. If your pet is outdoors, provide a warm insulated pet house. The house should be elevated enough so that moisture cannot accumulate inside. Provide a "door" (pet door or piece of canvas) to keep out the winter winds. If your pet is in a pen you can block the wind with bales of straw and stretch canvas over the top of the pen. If the wind chill or weather conditions become severe, bring your pet inside. Frostbite: Ice and snow stick to furry paws and can result in frostbite. Remove ice and snow from your pet's paws and coat immediately. Frostbitten skin may turn reddish, white or gray, and it may be scaly or sloughing. If you suspect frostbite, take your pet to a warm place immediately and thaw out frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm moist towels that are changed frequently. Continue until the affected areas return to their normal color, and then call our clinic. Fresh Water: You can't drink ice, and neither can your pet, so check his or her water bowl frequently to make sure it hasn't frozen. Always have fresh, clean water available. Food: Extra cold = extra food. Staying warm requires extra calories, so feed your pet accordingly when the temperature drops. Cats Climb Into Engine Compartments: Cats sometimes climb into vehicle engines for warmth. Before starting your vehicle, knock on the hood or honk the horn. Even if your own cat does not have access to your vehicle, a neighbor's cat may have taken shelter there. This newsletter is intended to offer general information
only and |
||
