For comfort and for other reasons, people would ensure that they are adequately protected from cold temperatures. Cold weather would spur people to take out cold weather clothes from storage. These measures are done as protection against frostbite and hypothermia. Dogs are protected by the all-weather 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. Humans and dogs will be affected by freezing temperature so that the body temperature falls down and hampers the normal functioning of the vital organs of the body. If long and dense coated dogs succumb to hypothermia, small and short haired dogs will be affected as well.
A dog's normal body temperature is from 100F to 102F. A dog will start to shiver if the temperature drops to 90F. Shivering is an involuntary reaction of the muscles spurred by the body's attempt to generate heat to be able to normalize body temperature. 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 warm air will serve as a layer of insulation. Cold extremities are signs of hypothermia. 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.
Drastic drop in body temperature can result to shock. If first aid treatment is not administered the condition can result to the death of the dog. Aggressive first aid treatment that will normalize the body temperature of the dog is very necessary. 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. Warm water bottles on the legs and on body walls will help in keeping the dog warm.
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. Severe hypothermia can cause a dog to go into shock. Karo syrup rubbed on the gums of a shocked dog is an effective first aid treatment.
After the first aid treatments expect the dog to be in pain as the tissues begin to warm up. Because of the pain, a well tempered pet can become aggressive. To be safe, exercise caution in approaching the revived dog.
A dog's normal body temperature is from 100F to 102F. A dog will start to shiver if the temperature drops to 90F. Shivering is an involuntary reaction of the muscles spurred by the body's attempt to generate heat to be able to normalize body temperature. 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 warm air will serve as a layer of insulation. Cold extremities are signs of hypothermia. 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.
Drastic drop in body temperature can result to shock. If first aid treatment is not administered the condition can result to the death of the dog. Aggressive first aid treatment that will normalize the body temperature of the dog is very necessary. 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. Warm water bottles on the legs and on body walls will help in keeping the dog warm.
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. Severe hypothermia can cause a dog to go into shock. Karo syrup rubbed on the gums of a shocked dog is an effective first aid treatment.
After the first aid treatments expect the dog to be in pain as the tissues begin to warm up. Because of the pain, a well tempered pet can become aggressive. To be safe, exercise caution in approaching the revived dog.
No comments:
Post a Comment