HYPOTHERMIA
Hypothermia Prevention is much easier
then treating
Hypothermia occurs when your dog’s core
temperature drops below normal. When your dog is losing body heat faster then,
he can replace it.
Normal body temperature for a dog ranges
from 100 to102.5 F or 37 to 39C
In cold weather your dog will constantly be
trying to maintain his body temperature in its normal range. Dogs regulate
their temperature either by conserving their body heat or by producing more
body heat, this is similar to how we react to cold weather.
Shivering is one way your dog can produce
body heat. Piloerection is the dog equivalent to our goose bumps- with piloerection
your dog’s hair stand on end thereby trapping a layer of warmed air beneath
them. This creates an additional layer of insulation between your dog’s body
and the cold weather, and in doing so helps him to conserve body heat; this
works much better on a properly groomed dog.
Vasoconstriction is another way your dog
can conserve body heat, restricting blood flow to the extremities and keeping
blood flowing to the more vial body parts, i.e. the Brain Heart and Lungs.
SYMPTOMS
OF HYPOTHERMIA
·
Shivering;
·
Lethargic;
·
Muscle stiffness;
·
Lack of
coordination;
·
Low heart rate and
Breathing rate;
·
Fixed and dilated
pupils;
·
Collapse;
·
Coma
TREATMENT
With mild hypothermia your dog will be
shivering and appear lethargic, moving your dog inside and wrapping in a
blanket will probably do the trick, Passive rewarming.
As your dog’s temperature drops more sever
measures are needed.
Moderate hypothermia remove dog from cold.
Warm blankets and use heating pads but not directly on the skin apply to the
truck area of the dog.
Both severe and profound hypothermia need
Veterinary care immediately. At the vet clinic they can administer warm water
enemas and heated fluid intravenously.
Many dogs don’t survive this
AGAIN PREVENTING IS MUCH EASIER THEN
TREATING!
