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When the Cold Weather Comes, Watch Your Pet!

For an animal, antifreeze is one of the most toxic substances imaginable. It smells and tastes sweet, which explains why dogs (and cats) are drawn to it. But once it's swallowed by your hound, antifreeze starts shutting down the kidneys almost immediately. If caught within a few hours, antifreeze poisoning sometimes can be treated successfully by administering 4-methylpyrazole or ethanol intravenously for several days.

• Call your vet immediately if you think your dog (or cat) has ingested antifreeze. Hounds often get at antifreeze that's been stored in their owner's garage. In the city (where most people don't have a car, let alone a garage), the danger is antifreeze that's been spilled or has leaked onto the road. Don't let your dog lick spots or puddles on the pavement.
• If you think your pet has ingested any, seek medical attention immediately. It is important to start treatment within the first few hours to try to reduce the damage to the kidneys. Untreated animals usually die from kidney failure.

The salt used to melt ice and snow can cause irritation to pet foot pads and skin and to their gastrointestinal tract if ingested.

• You can protect your pet by putting baby oil, cooking spray or booties on their feet. Many dogs need boots in cold weather, regardless of coat length. Be sure to get your dog used to wearing boots before cold weather sets in.
• Make sure to thoroughly wash off the feet and body if your pet does come into contact with the rock salt.
• If your dog frequently lifts up his paws, whines, or stops on his walks, his feet are uncomfortably cold.

Another frequently seen foot problem is the formation of ice balls between the pads and toes of the feet, especially in dogs with long fur.

• Once ice balls form, they are very painful, much like walking on rocks. When dogs get these, they often whine, stop walking, and start chewing at the bottoms of their feet to remove the painful ice balls.
• To help prevent ice balls, trim hair around your dog's feet. Apply a small amount of Vaseline, cooking oil, or PAM spray to your dog's feet before taking him for a walk. Make sure you use oil that can be eaten; most dogs lick at their paws.
• Gently rub the bottom of the feet to remove the salt as soon as your dog is off the road, and be sure to wash his paws after your walk. Salt is very irritating to footpads. Many dogs will quickly start whining and biting at their feet after just a few steps on salted roads.

Do not leave your pets outdoors unattended when the temperature gets below freezing! Pets must build up a thicker coat and get their footpads toughened for snow and ice. Pets that get too chilled could develop hypothermia or even frostbite.

• Ear tips are especially susceptible to frostbite.
• If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, let him get acclimated gradually to dropping temperatures. Once a pet is acclimated to either warm or cold, a long dose of the other extreme is hard to take.
• Outdoor pets need a sheltered place that is well bedded with DRY straw, shavings, blanket strips, or other insulating material that traps warm air. Also, remember that animals drag a lot of moisture into their bedding areas from snow, rain and mud. Check it often and change it whenever it is wet, or your pets can't keep themselves warm.
• The pet population generally gets less active in winter. Consequently, cut back a bit on what you feed your animals, or your vet will be nagging you in spring about your portly pets.

Consider a jacket for short-coated dogs when outside. Dogs with very short coats have the least tolerance for cold.

• Extremely short-coated breeds include Greyhounds, Dobermans, Boxers, Boston Terriers, and Chihuahuas. These breeds shouldn't go outside without a sweater or a coat except for short times to relieve themselves.
• Small dogs with short coats (such as Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinschers, and Miniature Dachshunds) are especially vulnerable to cold. They may not tolerate any outdoor exercise in extremely cold weather.

Don't give your pet holiday food including alcoholic beverages, candy, chocolate, turkey and dressing, pork, fish, or bones; as all can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or pancreatitis.

• Many people do not realize that chocolate can be a poison. Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning include hyperexcitability, nervousness, vomiting and diarrhea. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous.

Have a "safe" place for your pet when company is over for the holidays. Some animals get very nervous or distressed with a house full of guests.

Holiday paraphernalia like pine needles, ornaments, yarn, tinsel, ribbons, etc. can be harmful to pets if ingested. These things need to be kept out of a pet's reach.