December 27, 2008

The snow can provide fun romping terrain, but the winter months also hold some risks for pets, veterinarians warn. (Pet Pulse Illustration by Tim Mattson)

NEW YORK -- The temperatures continue to plummet across the country, but a little nip to the air should only heighten pet owners' awareness of their pets' health, veterinarians say.

"What we see in the winter is that the cold can make pre-existing problems move evident," said Mark Albrecht, DVM, a surgeon at the Gallatin Animal Hospital, in Bozeman, Mont.

"The winter can act as a major tipping point, and can cause pets that appear healthy to become unhealthy," he said.

The winter months also present various obstacles for healthy pets to overcome, as well.

Some of the risks can be simply identified with good common sense: Animals should not be left out for long periods of time in cold climates, as they, just like people, can contract hypothermia.

The condition can sometimes develop from unlikely sources, however, dictated frequently not by cold, but wetness.

Albrecht recently treated a cat for frostbite on its one ear and four paws. The cat, its owners recalled, had been playing with their slobbery St. Bernard. The saliva -- and frigid Bozeman temperatures -- were enough to send the cat to the vet.

Animals have various levels of tolerance to wintry conditions, depending on their coats and size. Larger animals benefit from a gradual loss of heat retention, says Douglas Aspros, DVM, of Bond Animal Hospital in White Plains, N.Y.

"A Pomeranian will lose heat a lot quicker than a Beagle or a Short Haired Pointer," Aspros said. "Even though it has more hair and a much thicker coat, its small size places it at a greater risk of hypothermia."

If wet, animals can contract hypothermia in 40 degree Fahrenheit temperature, Albrecht says. But a dry, thick-coated husky, for instance, can survive with no shelter when it is 30 degrees below Fahrenheit.

Though tolerance levels are highly variable, Aspros says that generally speaking, the weather should become a point of concern when the temperature dips into the single digits.

As there is no guaranteed way to judge just how cold is too cold for your pet to bear, Shelly Rubin, DVM, recommends considering your own tolerance, first.

"If you are uncomfortable in the weather, your pet will likely be more uncomfortable than you are," said Rubin, of Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago.

Unlike humans, though, most dogs and outdoor cats do not have boots to warm and protect their toes.

Salt can irritate animals' paws and stomachs, if they try to lick the remains clean. But while salt can cause some temporary pain, and perhaps an infection, Aspros says he treats more dogs who have had bits of ice lodged in between their feet.

Shards of ice on the street can be sharp and potentially dangerous, he says.

"We generally see more dogs who have sore feet because of the ice," Aspros said.

Rubin recommends investing in doggy boots, but if a dog is adverse to strapping the shoes on, he says that cleaning the dog's paw with warm water after a walk should suffice.

Pet owners should also be wary of stray antifreeze puddles. The liquid is toxic and can lead to severe medical complications, or even death.

Dogs and cats might also be attracted to the liquid, which vets say is known as being sweet tasting.

"Animals can definitely die from consuming antifreeze and it really only takes a few ounces to affect a decently sized dog," Albrecht said. "The liver doesn't process the antifreeze too well, so it basically leads to a blockage in the kidneys and cause failure of that organ."

A tell-tale sign of antifreeze presence is if you see a puddle that isn't frozen on the street, but all other water pools have iced over, Rubin says.

None of the vets Pet Pulse spoke with recommend allowing outdoor cats to roam the streets in winter months, especially at nighttime. Aside from risks of hypothermia, cars are also reckoning with worse driving conditions -- and an increased likelihood of failing to miss a kitty crossing the road.

"As a surgeon, I definitely see a lot more animals getting hit by cars during this time of the year," Albrecht said. "Visibility isn't good and there is more ice and snow on the road."

It is simple to avoid this problem, though, by not letting pets run lose after nightfall.

In Montana, Albrecht sees more obscure winter-related injuries, like cuts from sharp skis. But with a "little bit of husbandry" and basic reasoning, pets should be able to enjoy a snowy winter -- in moderation, that is.

"If animals are used to a 60 or a 70 degree house, and then you let them out when it is in the 20s, obviously they are not going to do well out there for long periods of time," Albrecht said. "It is all about just being a little careful."

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