Pets In Peril As Big Freeze Continues

Pets and their owners face serious dangers over coming days as the continuing cold snap makes normal walking and playing activities especially hazardous, according to leading veterinary charity PDSA.

Owners are urged to prevent dogs straying onto frozen ponds or canals, however safe looking: “The risk of falling through the ice is a very real danger that can lead to hypothermia or even drowning,” said PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Elaine Pendlebury.

Across the UK, the current cold snap has sadly already claimed some canine casualties. A dog drowned after falling into a frozen garden pond in South Devon and fire crews were unable to save a dog that had fallen into an icy river in Cambridgeshire. There have also been reports of owners risking their lives – a man in Birmingham suffered from hypothermia after jumping into a frozen lake to rescue his dog.

“Snow and ice may be more dangerous for dogs than fireworks,” continued Elaine. “As recent incidents have proved, the severe weather that we are currently experiencing can be extremely dangerous. Owners need to be particularly vigilant to ensure their dogs are safe and that they do not put themselves in danger if their dog does fall into ice.”

Dangers of dogs falling through ice
· A combination of shock and extremely cold water will quickly bring on hypothermia, where the body loses heat faster than it can replace it.

· The body temperature falls quickly as the cold water saturates the dog’s fur and chills the skin.

· Owners should keep dogs on a lead near icy water and never try to rescue them if they fall through the ice as an attempted rescue on thin ice can make a bad situation even worse.

Further advice for dog walkers
· If a dog falls through the ice, owners should seek help before becoming victims themselves.

· When out walking, owners are advised to carry a small rubber ring with a rope attached to it so if their dog does get into trouble they can throw the ring to the dog to catch it in its mouth. This could save a dog’s life.

· Frequently people and dogs that fall through ice drown when they can’t come back up through the hole they fell through. Breaking through the ice over their heads is nearly impossible.

· Finally owners can make daily dog walks a safe and enjoyable experience by ensuring that they and their dog wear the correct clothing in extreme weather conditions.

· Dogs with short hair and those that get cold easily should wear coats or sweaters on winter walks to keep them warm. More than one layer may be required. The first layer should be a thin fleece or wool material and outer layers can be thicker providing more protection.

For more information and tips on how to keep your pets safe and healthy this winter visit www.pdsa.org.uk/winterhealth.html

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Tags:  Animal Charities, Animal Welfare, pets in peril, Social Issues