Vets Issue Warnings Over Risk to Pets in the Big Chill
Vets are issuing advice to pet owners to take extra care with their animals during the cold snap after a spate of weather-related incidents in surgeries across the country.
In one case in Woking, Surrey, a young Spaniel who drowned after falling into a frozen lake. The owners of the three and a half year old Springer were unable to reach her after she fell through the ice.
Vet Steve Brawley from Companion Care in Woking had vaccinated the family pet back in July. He said: “He was a lively young dog. Spaniels simply love water and don’t realise the danger. It can happen so easily.”
In another incident, vets at Companion Care in Scarborough saved the life of a miniature Dachshund suffering from hypothermia after playing in the snow.
Practice vet Rachel Howard said: “I didn’t think we were going to be able to pull her through. Her temperature was down to 93 degrees (Fahrenheit) when it should be 101 degrees.
“She had been playing in the snow and because she is so small and close to the ground, she had got really cold. When she got back home she started shaking and was not responding so her owners reacted quickly by bringing her in straight away which was great as she needed immediate intensive nursing to save her. We treated her for shock and gave her warm fluid therapy, a hot water enema and covered her in bubble wrap. The nurses here kept her warm with hair dryers and heaters and after about nine hours her temperature started to come back up. She was really lucky to survive.”
Other incidents have included cuts due to playing in the ice and from sharp objects hidden by snow. Companion Care in Oldham dealt with four cases in one day. Two of the dogs just needed stitches but two were not so lucky – their injuries involved severed tendons which will need to be supported for six weeks to avoid long-term repercussions.
Vet nurse Chris Noone said: “These injuries came from broken bottles and bits of metal buried in the snow. It can be quite a shock – one minute the dogs are playing in the snow and the next minute the surface has turned red.
“Some injuries are not so dramatic so it is a good idea for people to check their animals over for cuts after they have been in the ice and snow. In some cases the cold masks the pain so injuries can be less obvious.”
Vets at Companion Care say it is not just dogs on walks that need special care as temperatures plummet. Pets normally kept outside such as rabbits and guinea pigs will be happier indoors but if they have to remain outdoors, it is essential that they are protected from cold draughts as these can be fatal.
Here is some great advice from Companion Care:
* On exercise: While it is important to brave the elements and keep your dog exercised during this cold weather, if there are any frozen ponds, lakes swimming pools in the vicinity of your dog walk then keep them on their leads to prevent them from risking falling through the ice
* Coats can be useful to help small and thin coated breeds of dogs stay warm. In particular, short-haired or elderly dogs benefit from wearing a coat or sweater
* Remember to be very careful with sick or older dogs, since they are more sensitive to cold weather. Make sure you keep up any prescribed medication and also ensure animals move several times a day(i.e. give older dogs regular short walks) rather than just allowing elderly pets to settle in bed by the warm fire when their joints are at risk of stiffening up
* When you get home, wipe snow and ice off your dog’s feet, legs and belly. Remove the ice carefully and check for cuts. Wiping off your dog will remove any salt, antifreeze or other harmful chemicals that he could ingest when licking her paws
* Consider keeping a container of warm water and cloths by the door for use after walks. It is good to rinse the paws before you wipe them dry, because salt can irritate the foot pads and stomach if ingested when licked. Dunking in the water will also dissolve ice and remove mud
* Anti freeze alert: Antifreeze is sweet tasting and particularly attractive to cats and dogs, but it is essential that it is kept away from them as it will kill them. Read the labels of any products you use, and store these products in tight containers
* Dogs often lose their scent in cold weather and can become lost. Dogs also can panic in snow or hail storms and run away. More dogs are reported lost during the winter than any other season, so keep them close by and within sight on walks
* Frostbite and hypothermia are a risk in extreme conditions. Frostbite happens when the ears, paws or tail get cold enough that ice crystals form in the tissue and cause damage. Hypothermia occurs when animals are overexposed to cold temperatures and their body temperature drops below normal levels. Symptoms can range from shivering and lethargy in mild cases to stiff muscles, low heart and breathing rates and unresponsiveness
On the road:
* Keep a winter survival kit in your car. Include blankets, towels, water, bowl, first aid kit, and a sign that dog is in the car
* Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car for prolonged periods during cold weather as temperatures plummet, your car becomes like a fridge
* Cats left outdoors and wild animals sometimes climb onto car engines or beneath cars to seek warmth. Check before starting the engine to warn cats away
At home:
* Provide your pet with a warm place to sleep, away from draughts and off the floor. Dog and cat beds with a warm blanket or pillow are especially cosy
* Remember tiled, wooden and uncarpeted areas can get very cold
* Portable heaters and fireplaces can be deadly hazards for animals and children. Screen fireplaces and put portable heaters out of their reach. Do not run portable heaters when you are not there to monitor them; each year, a number of house fires starts this way.
Outdoor pet care:
* Break ice on frozen water bowls – check regularly to ensure that water dispensers do not re-freeze as animals then cannot drink and so become thirsty and risk being dehydrated
* Add extra layers to bedding for rabbits and guinea pigs not brought indoors. Make sure cages are protected and well insulated to prevent icy draughts which can prove fatal
* Fish ponds that are frozen over need to have a hole to allow for oxygen exchange but remember that sudden noise can scare the fish so to avoid smashing the ice, keep a pole suspended in the water that you can pull out periodically to allow oxygen to get to the surface.
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