Please be sure not to keep your pet outdoors for too long during this extremely cold weather. Your pet can endure frostbite or hypothermia if treated promptly. Both conditions are treatable but can have lasting tissue damage.
The dogs who are most suscpetible to these health issues are short-haired breeds, small dogs and dogs who are left outside permanently without adequate shelter.
I implore anyone who is reading this who does keep their dog/cat outside, please bring them indoors. Just think how cold you are in this cold weather. Now imagine a pet enduring these same elements without the heat we have in our homes.
If you do keep your dog in a dog house, please make sure it has a flap to keep out the wind, snow, sleet and rain. Make sure there is straw or blankets inside the house for the dog to stay warm as much as possible. Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water and plenty of food. Outside animals burn more calories during this type of weather.
Signs of hypothermia include the following:
shivering, lethargy, muscle stiffness, lack of co-ordination, low heart and breathing rates, fixed and dilated pupils, collapse and coma.
When you see your pet shivering, bring him indoors!!!!!
If you see an animal in distress, call the Animal Rescue League – 610-373-8830, the Humane Society – 610-921-2348 or your local Police.
Remember, we need to be the voices for those who cannot speak!