Taking Care Of My Pet

If you have recently added a dog to your household, you know how quickly they become an important and loved part of your family. Because your dog is another one of your family members, you want to be sure that you provide them with all of the proper care possible throughout the year. During your first winter with your dog, there are some potential health threats to your dog that you will need to become aware of so that you can protect them and get them the veterinary treatment they need if they are affected by these issues.

Frostbite

One of the biggest problems for dogs in the winter is the potential for dangerous exposure to extreme cold temperatures. And while many pet owners do not realize it, dogs can develop and experience frostbite. In the winter months, it is very important to limit the amount of time your dog spends outdoors, especially on days where the temperature is below freezing.

Your dog's ears, paws, and tail are the areas that are most vulnerable to developing frostbite and will likely show the first signs of this cold-related physical damage. If your dog comes in from the cold and has any swelling, skin ulcers, or pain in these areas of their body, they may have mild to moderate frostbite. Severe frostbite often involves a bluish or grayish discoloration of the skin, physical brittleness when touched, and even blackened tissue (necrotic or dead tissue that has lost blood supply).

If your dog shows signs of frostbite, you will want to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment, especially if the signs of severe frostbite are present. Do not try to rub the affected areas and do not apply dry heat from a space heater, hair dryer, or heating pad to the affected areas. This can cause further damage to their skin and cause more problems for your dog in the future.

Also, if your dog is in a day care or boarding at any time during the winter months, talk to the staff about how much time your dog will be spending outside and how they ensure that the dogs in their care do not experience over-exposure to the cold and snow.

Sidewalk and Driveway Deicers

Another potential threat to your dog's health in the winter months are the sidewalk and driveway deicers that you and many other people use on a regular basis. These products that many people generously throw down on paved surfaces during the winter months can cause harm and irritation to your dog during the winter months.

Many sidewalk and driveway deicing products are made using some form of salt. Salt is a substance that naturally breaks up ice effectively melting it and preventing it from refreezing later. However, salt is actually irritating and harmful to dogs when it comes into contact with your dog's paws. The salt can make their paws feel a burning sensation and the rock-like salt pellets can get caught between the pads of their feet.

Additionally, when their paws become irritated many dogs will bite or lick their paws to try to relieve the discomfort. Ingesting the de-icers can also have a very negative effect on your dog's health as significant quantities of these salts can be toxic.

When your dog goes outside and is on pavement that has been treated with de-icers, be sure to thoroughly clean off their paws when they are back in the house. Wiping their paws down with a warm damp towel and then drying the should do the trick. Just be sure to also get in between the pads of their paws to ensure no pieces of the de-icer are lodged in those spaces.

With this knowledge of the potential health threats to your dog this winter, you can take better care of your beloved pet through the cold season and ensure that they stay safe and happy. For more tips, consult a vet like Ark Veterinary Hospital.