The Pet Sit Blog

Combating the cold

January 7, 2010

Posted in: Uncategorized

Old Man Winter has reared his ugly head and many people are trying to find that delicate balance between staying warm and keeping the cost of their heating bill down.  While it may be easy for people to put on a jacket or bump up the thermostat, pets don’t have the same luxury.

If you keep your pet outside, continually check your pet for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Frostbite

Frostbite most frequently affects ears, toes, tails  and areas least covered by fur.

Signs of frostbite include red or swollen areas or skin that is very pale and white.

To treat frostbite, immerse the area in warm water for 15-20 minutes.  Never use hot water and call your veterinarian.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when a pet has been exposed to very cold temperatures and/or winds for an extended period of time.

Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, low body temperature, stumbling, drowsiness and exhaustion.

To treat hypothermia, the pet’s body temperature must be raised.  Surround the pet in hot water bottles, warm towels or immerse in room-temperature water and slowly add warmer water.  Try to get the animal to drink warm liquids and, of course, call your veterinarian.