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Pets and Colder Weather
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 As you begin to prepare yourself for the colder weather season approaching, take a few minutes to peruse the following checklist and prepare your pets for the impending frigid temperatures.
- Provide shelter for your dog. If you keep your pet outdoors, make sure that he has an elevated structure that will protect him from wind and nasty weather.
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Give your pet dry and clean bedding and replace it often if it gets wet.
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Make sure the house is big enough to turn around in but small enough to retain their body heat.
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If your pooch sleeps indoors, keep him away from drafts.
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Keep your pet clear of bodies of water. He will not have the knowledge to know if a body of water is frozen over or susceptible to cracking and breaking.
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Check their paws for cuts. Keeping their nails clipped and paws free from hair will avoid ice and snow building up on their paws.
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Keep young and old dogs outside for only short periods of time.
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Check your pet's ears and tails for frostbite.
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Provide fresh and unfrozen water for your outdoor pet.
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Keep your pet on a leash. Their sense of smell is hampered by snow.
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Keep your pet clear of antifreeze at all costs!
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If temperatures dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, bring your pet inside.
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Don't leave a pet alone in a car for any length of time for fear of hypothermia.
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If your dog is not furry, keep him inside and allow him to wear a sweater when outside.
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See your vet for a checkup if your dog has arthritis. Cold weather can make it even worse.
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Wipe your pet's paws when coming indoors to remove salt and any other chemicals they may have picked up.
Treat your pets much as you would treat yourself during the cold months and they will remain healthy and happy throughout the seasons!
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Antifreeze and Your Pets
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With the chill arriving in the air and winter almost upon us, it's a good time to talk about one of the most fatal, yet sneaky issues facing your pets for the season...antifreeze poisoning. Ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in antifreeze, has a sweet flavor and very attractive aroma for pets. It only takes a few tablespoons of this highly toxic substance to put your pet's health in very serious, if not fatal, jeopardy.
How to Detect Antifreeze Poisoning:
- If your pet has been poisoned, the first few hours are critical. Some signs may include:
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Your pet has an unsteady gait or staggers when he walks, almost appearing drunk.
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Your pet may drink a lot of water, appear listless or even have a seizure.
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As the poisoning ramps up, vomiting, oral and gastric ulcers and kidney failure will begin.
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If your pet appears depressed and has increased urine output, his kidneys may already be in jeopardy.
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If you believe your pet has ingested antifreeze, get to a veterinarian immediately.
How to Prevent Poisoning:
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Switch to propylene glycol, a chemical ingredient that is less toxic and has a bitter taste that is less alluring to pets.
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Always keep antifreeze sealed and away from pets and children.
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Don't allow your pet to wander without you near roads, driveways, garages and other areas they can come into contact with the substance.
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Don't let your pet drink from puddles. Standing water may contain antifreeze that rain has washed into the puddle. Keep in mind that if your pet walks through antifreeze and then licks its paws, that is typically more than enough antifreeze to be fatal to him.
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Keep any and all products that contain ethylene glycol out of reach of pets. This could include paint, cosmetics and even those cute snow globes.
The key to treating antifreeze poisoning is quick detection and quick medical attention. The first few hours are crucial to the life of your pet, so keep your eyes open and take some basic precautions for a safe and healthy winter season.
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Chocolate and My Dog
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While many studies have shown that chocolate can be a health boost to humans, that is not the case for dogs. Chocolate is made from the beans of the cacao tree and those beans are toxic or even fatal to dogs. The tasty treat contains caffeine and theobromine, both substances toxic to pets.
How Does Chocolate Affect the Dog's Body?
The substances in chocolate are both nervous system and cardiovascular stimulants. They can not only induce vomiting in the pet, but also cause an increase in blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. Other effects may be diarrhea, excess urination and seizures. Symptoms will usually present themselves within a few hours but can take up to 36 hours.
The amount of chocolate that will affect your dog will vary based on your pet's weight and even the type of chocolate eaten. The most toxic type is dry cocoa powder followed by unsweetened Baker's chocolate. Semisweet, sweet dark chocolate and milk chocolate contain moderate amounts of the toxic substances. White chocolate contains the least amount.
With the holiday season approaching and all those goodies out for display, keep a vigilant eye on your pets. Cats are also susceptible to toxic poisoning by chocolate but they tend to not favor the taste of it so it does not present as much of an issue. If you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate, rush him to the vet or the emergency vet hospital for immediate care.
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