Hypothermia: In the winter it is important to keep your dogs warm so they don’t get hypothermia or frostbite. If your dog is shivering and its cold out, wrap him or her up! Shivering is the first sign of hypothermia and it is easy to nip it in the bud. Further signs are unusual lack of energy, muscle stiffness, lack of coordination, low heart and breathing rate, fixed and dilated pupils, and eventually collapse. This can lead to coma and death. Of course, you want to stop it before it gets to that point.
So make sure your dog is kept warm, covered, and as dry as possible.
Frostbite: A bigger problem in cold weather is frostbite. The most common areas affected are the ears, the tail, and the scrotum (ouch!). You treat frostbite in a similar way that you treat hypothermia. You need to warm up your dog. Don’t rub the frostbitten area – you need to warm them up. Ideally, do it with a hot water bottle. You can make one out of a canteen and some hot water for tea. The best option is to prevent it. Make sure your dog’s ears, tail, and scrotum are covered when it is really cold out.
Heatstroke: Heatstroke, or hyperthermia, is a real danger to dogs (and people) during the summer months for people living outside.
The symptoms are:
• rapid panting; very quick short pants
• bright red tongue
• red or pale gums
• thick sticky saliva
• depression and lethargy
• weakness and dizziness-your dog might appear off
balance or look drunk
• vomiting, sometimes with blood
• diarrhea
Heatstroke can lead to shock, coma and death.
Prevention is the best medicine for this. Make sure your dog has access to water ALL THE TIME.
Make sure your dog has shade.
Don’t muzzle your dog on hot days.
Wet your dog down to help cool him or her. Bags with ice help too-many stores or restaurants will give you ice if you ask nicely and explain what it’s for.
If your dog does get heatstroke they really should see a vet immediately. If this isn’t possible try to find somewhere indoors to take your dog, or at least as cool a spot outdoors as you can find. Wet your dog with cool water. You don’t want the water to be too cold because that can also cause risk their health. Provide water but don’t let them drink too much at one time-multiple small amounts are less likely to upset your dogs stomach.
