Animal Outpatient Care Center of Truckee Tahoe

Information may not be reliable

Some Thoughts on Winter by Dr. Bloomfield
Depending on where you are at the moment, winter may conjure a
wide variety of images. Here in the High Sierra winter is showing its
true colors. Where we live, winter is both fun and very dangerous
for our pets. The deep snow can overwhelm a small dog and
actually cause him/her to drown in the powder. Roofs shedding
their enormous loads of snow with no warning can be lethal to
anyone caught underneath. Snowbanks hide dogs from cars and
vice versa, and a huge influx of skiers with dogs that “need to be
free in the mountains” leads to all kinds of trauma. Ice melting
salts, or chemicals on the stairs and walks, can burn feet and
cause oral erosions when curious tongues take a lick. Antifreeze is
lethal even when mixed with snow. Water is often frozen or less
available to both domestic and wild animals and antifreeze is very
appealing, as it tastes like sugar water to any species that
consumes it. The single best preventative health measure in this
environment is a leash. Having a teenage son to take your bored
11-month puppy for long play walks doesn’t hurt either.
Regardless, close supervision of your pet is imperative when you
live in a snowy and cold winter environment. If your pets live
outdoors or in a barn or shed make sure the water container is not
skimmed with ice or frozen solid. Pets should come in or have
supplemental heat if the temperature is going to be in the teens or
less though some dogs just plain like to be out in the cold. All
animals should have shelter against the bitter cold and snow.
Working pets, or companions on outings on skis or snowshoes,
need additional food and water as well as replacement electrolytes.
Remember that our dogs are traveling on foot and are smaller so
lose heat and consume energy faster.

Winter is a great time to be out with our pets, whether at home or
on the road. Colder weather is very stimulating to many of our
pets, and we can have a lot of fun outside this time of year with
them, and that is good for all of us. Grab a leash, make sure you
have a first aid kit, and get out there.

R Brooks Bloomfield, DVM 01/08