Cold Exposure
Cold Exposure
HYPOTHERMIA (LOW BODY TEMPERATURE)
Prolonged exposure to cold will result in a drop in body temperature. Toy
breeds, breeds with short coats, puppies, and very old dogs are most susceptible to hypothermia. Because a wet coat loses its insulating properties,
hypothermia is a potential complication for all dogs who have been submerged in cold water. Hypothermia also occurs along with shock, after a long
course of anesthesia, and in newborn puppies who get chilled because of inadequately heated whelping quarters. Prolonged cold exposure burns up stored
energy and results in a low blood sugar.
Signs of hypothermia are violent shivering followed by listlessness, a rectal
temperature below 95°F (35°C), weak pulse, lethargy, and coma. Note that
hypothermic dogs can withstand prolonged periods of cardiac arrest, because
the low body temperature also lowers the metabolic rate. CPR may be successful in such individuals.
EMERGENCIES • 17
Treatment: Wrap the dog in a blanket or coat and carry him into a warm
building. If the dog is wet (he fell into icy water), dry him vigorously with
towels. Wrap the dog in a warm blanket and take his rectal temperature. If the
temperature is above 95°F, continue the warm blankets and encourage the
dog to swallow a sugar solution such as honey, or 4 teaspoons (32g) of sugar
dissolved in a pint of water.
If the dog’s rectal temperature is below 95°F, notify your veterinarian.
While awaiting instructions, begin rapid warming by applying warm water
bottles wrapped in towels to the dog’s armpits and chest, then wrap the dog in
a blanket. The temperature of the packs should be about that of a baby bottle
(warm to the wrist). Take the rectal temperature every 10 minutes. Change
the warming packs until the rectal temperature reaches 100°F (37.8°C). Do
not apply heat directly to the dog, as this may cause burns. For the same reason, do not use a hair dryer to warm the dog.
How to warm a chilled puppy is discussed in Reviving a Weak Puppy, page
495.
FROSTBITE
Frostbite occurs when a part of the body freezes. It often accompanies
hypothermia. Frostbite tends to involve the tail, ear tips, pads of the feet, and
scrotum. These parts are the most exposed and least protected by fur. Frostbite
of the ears is discussed on page 211.
Frostbitten skin is pale white or blue. As circulation returns, it becomes red
and swollen and may begin to peel. Eventually it looks black with a line of
demarcation between live and dead tissue. Dead skin and tissue separates from
the body in one to three weeks.
18 • DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
To take a dog’s rectal
temperature using a
digital thermometer, lubricate the thermometer and
then insert it gently. You
can place a hand under
the dog’s tummy to keep
him from sitting down.
Treatment: Apply warm (not hot) water soaks to the frostbitten part for
20 minutes, or until the tissue becomes flushed. Never use snow or ice; tissue
damage is made much more severe if thawing is followed by refreezing. Do not
rub or massage the affected parts. Handle them carefully. Take your dog to a
veterinarian for further evaluation and treatment.
Note that as sensation returns, frostbitten parts can be painful. Prevent the
dog from biting at the skin and inflicting further injury using the restraint
techniques described in Handling and Restraint, page 2. The total extent of
damage may not be apparent for a week or more.
HYPOTHERMIA (LOW BODY TEMPERATURE)
Prolonged exposure to cold will result in a drop in body temperature. Toy
breeds, breeds with short coats, puppies, and very old dogs are most susceptible to hypothermia. Because a wet coat loses its insulating properties,
hypothermia is a potential complication for all dogs who have been submerged in cold water. Hypothermia also occurs along with shock, after a long
course of anesthesia, and in newborn puppies who get chilled because of inadequately heated whelping quarters. Prolonged cold exposure burns up stored
energy and results in a low blood sugar.
Signs of hypothermia are violent shivering followed by listlessness, a rectal
temperature below 95°F (35°C), weak pulse, lethargy, and coma. Note that
hypothermic dogs can withstand prolonged periods of cardiac arrest, because
the low body temperature also lowers the metabolic rate. CPR may be successful in such individuals.
EMERGENCIES • 17
Treatment: Wrap the dog in a blanket or coat and carry him into a warm
building. If the dog is wet (he fell into icy water), dry him vigorously with
towels. Wrap the dog in a warm blanket and take his rectal temperature. If the
temperature is above 95°F, continue the warm blankets and encourage the
dog to swallow a sugar solution such as honey, or 4 teaspoons (32g) of sugar
dissolved in a pint of water.
If the dog’s rectal temperature is below 95°F, notify your veterinarian.
While awaiting instructions, begin rapid warming by applying warm water
bottles wrapped in towels to the dog’s armpits and chest, then wrap the dog in
a blanket. The temperature of the packs should be about that of a baby bottle
(warm to the wrist). Take the rectal temperature every 10 minutes. Change
the warming packs until the rectal temperature reaches 100°F (37.8°C). Do
not apply heat directly to the dog, as this may cause burns. For the same reason, do not use a hair dryer to warm the dog.
How to warm a chilled puppy is discussed in Reviving a Weak Puppy, page
495.
FROSTBITE
Frostbite occurs when a part of the body freezes. It often accompanies
hypothermia. Frostbite tends to involve the tail, ear tips, pads of the feet, and
scrotum. These parts are the most exposed and least protected by fur. Frostbite
of the ears is discussed on page 211.
Frostbitten skin is pale white or blue. As circulation returns, it becomes red
and swollen and may begin to peel. Eventually it looks black with a line of
demarcation between live and dead tissue. Dead skin and tissue separates from
the body in one to three weeks.
18 • DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
To take a dog’s rectal
temperature using a
digital thermometer, lubricate the thermometer and
then insert it gently. You
can place a hand under
the dog’s tummy to keep
him from sitting down.
Treatment: Apply warm (not hot) water soaks to the frostbitten part for
20 minutes, or until the tissue becomes flushed. Never use snow or ice; tissue
damage is made much more severe if thawing is followed by refreezing. Do not
rub or massage the affected parts. Handle them carefully. Take your dog to a
veterinarian for further evaluation and treatment.
Note that as sensation returns, frostbitten parts can be painful. Prevent the
dog from biting at the skin and inflicting further injury using the restraint
techniques described in Handling and Restraint, page 2. The total extent of
damage may not be apparent for a week or more.
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