last updated at 1/4/2009 - 1:37 pm | http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/ | By Joseph Robertia
With the ongoing stretch of temperatures dipping to minus 20 to minus 30 at night, and not much higher during the day, pet owners need to take special considerations to protect their furry friends from cold weather injuries and ailments.
"Most animals can do fine in this kind of cold weather if their owners do a little extra work," said Brett Reid, an animal control officer at the Kenai Animal Shelter.
"Most of the northern breeds do fine," Reid said, referring to dogs such as Siberian huskies, malamutes and German shepherds, which acclimate to the cold weather by developing thicker, heavier coats as the mercury drops.
However, some dogs -- such as the smaller breeds, or breeds with thin coats -- are not as well-equipped to handle the cold weather, and hypothermia and frostbite can occur within minutes in below freezing temperatures.
Signs of hypothermia include mental dullness, severe mental depression or unresponsiveness and loss of consciousness in extreme cases. Frostbite in dogs occurs most frequently on the tips of the ears, tail, feet and genitals in males and nipples in lactating females. Signs of frostbite may include swollen or pinkish skin, which often will turn white to gray. Animals suspected of these cold weather ailments should be brought to the veterinarian right away.
"The best prevention is to never allow pets to remain outdoors for extended periods during temperatures that are below freezing, or that are subzero, like we're experience right now. They should get into a heated garage, basement or some other shelter," Reid said.
Not all pet owners can accommodate their dogs indoors, and these people should be sure that their dogs have adequate shelter outdoors.
"Dog houses should be a few inches off the ground and have straw or blankets in them for insulation, and this straw should be changed out regularly because it will get gunked up with ice," Reid said
Dog houses can also have a piece of carpet or cloth hung over the front door, to further keep in warmth for pets, but so that dogs can still get in and out easily.
It is an eventuality that dogs will need to go outside to relieve themselves and for play, and some dogs may need to wear warm sweaters and even coats to go outside. Some may also need booties on their paws to keep them warm and prevent injuries, but Reid said not all dogs take to them right away.
"Some dogs will be problematic when wearing their booties for the first few times, but it's good to get them used to wearing them. After a while they'll get used to the booties and not even mind having them on," he said.
Pets also generate body heat by burning calories from food, so it is important to feed a high calorie diet. Daily food amounts may need to be increased during cold stretches, but even more important is to provide water, according to Reid.
"Fresh, not frozen, water must be available at all times to prevent dehydration, and sometimes it may have to be checked several times a day because it will freeze so fast," he said.
Snow is not an adequate water source since it requires more body heat to digest and can cause further dehydration.
While much attention should be paid to dogs, cats require even more care, according to Reid.
"Nearly all breeds are descendents of warmer climates, so cats don't do well in sub-zero weather. Even long-haired breeds should be kept indoors to avoid frostbite," he said.
For more information or advice on the ways pet owners can contend with the winter weather, call the Kenai Animal Shelter at 283-7353 or Soldotna Animal Control Shelter at 262-3969.
Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.
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