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Safety: Wintertime Reminders
During the Winter and Holiday Season Please Keep These Safety
Tips in Mind
We
want to help keep your Aussie safe during the winter
and holiday season so we've put together some dog safety tips
for you.
- Your Aussie should not be outside for more that 20
minutes in very cold weather. They are just as susceptible
to sudden temperature changes as we are.
Provide shelter to give your dog safety from the elements.
If your dog does stay outside for longer periods be sure she
has adequate shelter. A doghouse should be raised off the ground,
dry, and free of drafts. If you line the doghouse with straw,
be sure to change the straw when it gets wet. Vets see far too
many dogs with horrible skin rashes and respiratory problems
because the dogs were forced to sleep on wet, moldy straw.
- Your Aussie can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia
even early in winter. Frostbite is most common on the paws.
Symptoms of frostbite may not appear until a couple of days
after exposure. Watch for swollen paws and fussing over the
area. Even brief exposure to sub-zero temperatures can lead
to frostbite of the feet, nose or ears. Frost-bitten skin appears
red, gray or whitish and may peel off. Prevent frostbite by
removing ice and snow from paws and fur right away.
Dog Safety Tip:
Clip the fur between toe pads to reduce the amount of snow that
collects between toes.
If you suspect frostbite, take the dog to a warm place and thaw
out frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm (not hot as rapid
rewarming is very painful), moist towels. Change them frequently.
Continue until the affected areas become flushed. Do not rub
the skin to get the blood flowing back to the area as it causes
friction and destroys the damaged skin and underlying tissue
and increases the risk of infection. If this happens, take your
dog to your veterinarian immediately. On the way, wrap your
pet in dry warm blankets and apply a warm (not hot) water bottle
to the affected area.
Remember, if it's too cold for you to go outside, then
it's too cold for your Aussie. Think about winter dog
safety when the mercury drops.
- Antifreeze tastes good to dogs, but it is a deadly
poison. This is a serious threat to dog safety. Keep
an eye out for antifreeze puddles. If you suspect your pet has
ingested antifreeze, rush him to your veterinarian immediately
as it can lead to renal failure in as little as 48 hours. The
likely source of the poison is from a leaky radiator or where
one was recently filled or drained usually a spot in a garage
or parking area.
Ethylene glycol — the alcohol-like compound found in antifreeze
and deicers — is one of the most common substances involved
in accidental animal poisonings. And it's lethal. Once ingested,
enzymes called alcohol dehydrogenates break down the ethylene
glycol to form toxic substances that damage the kidneys.
- Also remember this season that Christmas Roses and
Poinsetta's can cause a rash to the skin or mouth. Mistletoe,
Ivy and Holly Berries are poisonous.
Signs that your dog may have been poisoned may include
the following symptoms:
- irritation around mouth
- drooling or discharge from mouth or nose
- swelling around mouth or throat
- excessive thirst
- upset stomach or vomiting
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- urine color change
- dilated eyes (pupils)
- difficulty breathing
- depression
- weakness
- disorientation
- shaking
- tremors, seizures, convulsions
- irregular, slow or rapid heart beat
- paralysis
- coma
- When you are outside with your pet, watch out for
chemicals used to melt ice on sidewalks, as they can
irritate your pet's paws. Always wipe-off your dogs paws after
an outing making sure to remove the ice between his paw pads.
If your dog's paws look sore or irritated, you can apply a thin
coat of petroleum jelly which will help to soothe his pads.
You can also purchase commercial boots to protect his paws from
the elements.
Dog Safety Note:
Pet friendly products are available to melt that ice.
- Provide extra food and water. In the winter larger rations
of quality food will provide the extra calories he needs to
stay warm. If your dog is going to spend any significant time
outside, you also must provide fresh water, which you can prevent
from freezing over by purchasing a heater for the water dish.
- Do not be tempted to let your dog off leash in snow or ice.
Dogs often lose their scent in cold weather and can become lost,
they can also panic in a snow storm and run away. More
dogs are reported lost during the winter than any other season,
so always keep your furry friend on his leash when outside the
yard and make sure he's wearing proper identification. This
is an especially important dog safety tip as temperatures drop.
Thinking of buying your buddy a holiday gift?
Some things to consider while keeping dog safety in mind:
The holidays are a time for giving and we have all see those
gigantic chew bones or the red and green colored 'candy canes'
made of who-knows-what that seem so tempting, however some caution
is advised before shopping for your pets or your friend's pets.
As with a gift for a human, realize that each pet has their preferences
(chewer, ball player, etc.) and some may have health conditions
that warrant special attention when deciding on a gift.
Food allergies are common in pets. Fatty or sugary treats are
not appropriate for the diabetic or overweight pet.
Whenever buying food or treat gifts for animals that are on a
special diet or allergic to certain foods, remember to check the
labels carefully -- even when labeled as "beef" or "chicken"
there are often other fillers, such as corn or fish, two common
food allergens. This can be a serious dog safety issue especially
if your Aussie is severely allergic.
- Toys that resemble common items
These may not be such a good idea as quite often they too closely
resemble the items such as shoes and stuffed animals especially
if you have small children and you could be unintentionally
creating a problem.
- Dyes and preservatives
Pets don't care what color their toy is, the colors added to
treats and chews are for our enjoyment not theirs! In addition
to being a dog safety issue as these chemicals are often not
healthy, the dyes may stain furniture or the carpet where your
pet is enjoying the treat.
- Pets as Presents
This is the season for giving, but please take time to pause
and consider very carefully before giving a pet as a gift. This
is a dog safety tip because often these puppies are sent to
shelters after the novelty has worn off and it is the dog that
pays for this ill considered gift.
I hope these winter dog safety tips help keep your Aussie out
of harms way.
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
Australian-Shepherd-Lovers.com
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