Treatments for dog hypothermia
<p>Humans take measures not to be affected by extremely cold temperatures. At the first whiff of the winter winds, cold weather gears will be taken out from storage. Exposure to very cold temperatures can result to frostbite and hypothermia. Dogs are ideally protected from cold weather by their fur coats. Although thick and long coated northern dogs are accustomed to the extremely cold weather, these dogs would still need protection lest they succumb to hypothermia. Hypothermia will occur when the dog’s normal body temperature plummets down because of extremely cold environment and prevents the body from performing its normal functions. If mountain dogs that are protected from freezing temperature by their long thick coats can still suffer from hypothermia how much more will short haired dogs be affected.
The normal body temperature of a dog is between 100°F to 102°F. When the temperature drops below 90°F, the dog would start to shiver. To generate heat that will up the temperature, the body will cause the muscles to shiver. In an effort to fight hypothermia, the body will raise the hair to trap the layer of air between the hair and the skin. The trapped air will act as insulation against the cold. A dog that has succumbed to hypothermia will have hard and cold extremities. A drop in body temperature will cause the dog’s system to direct blood flow to the vital organs and in so doing, the extremities will be have insufficient blood supply.
Hypothermia can cause the dog to go into shock. First aid treatment is imperative to save the dog from imminent death. It is necessary to elevate the core temperature of the dog. Take away the pet from the cold and use warm blankets to normalize the dog’s temperature. Place towel wrapped hot water bottles in the armpit, groin and in other body parts less covered with hair. Water bottles on the dog’s legs and body walls will help in normalizing body temperature.
Use a hair dryer to increase the body temperature of a chilled dog. This first aid method though can burn the skin of the dog of the heat of the dryer is directed to one area of the body for a few minutes. Hypothermia can make a dog go into shock. Karo syrup can be rubbed on the gums to revive the dog.
As the tissues warm up, the dog will feel immense pain. Because of the pain, a well tempered pet can become aggressive. Be careful in approaching the dog.
Sarah’s Dogs has more information about hypothermia and first aid for dogs.
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