Wow! We are entering the last month of the upland bird
hunting season. As we get older, the calendar speeds up and our body slows
down. Oh, how we wish we could reverse that process. No such luck!
Since January is traditionally the coldest month of the
year, I thought it would be a good idea to discuss the effects of extreme cold
and winter weather conditions, not only on our dogs, but us as well.
HYPOTHERMIA
It occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can
produce heat. The normal range of body temperature in dogs is between 101 and
102.5 degrees F. In humans the range is 97.6 to 99.6 degrees F. When the body
heat consistently falls below that range, hypothermia can occur. It can go from
mild to severe depending on how far below the normal range.
Possible Causes:
• Constant
exposure to wind chill in freezing weather especially if raining or snowing
• Exposure
to cold or icy water conditions
Symptoms:
• Shivering
• Weakness
• Stiffness
• Stupor or
incoherency
• Unconsciousness
or coma
Actions to Take:
• Warm your
dog or yourself up
• Return to
your vehicle
• Build a
fire to produce heat
• Vigorously
rub your dog all over with a dry towel
• Wrap yourself and/or your dog in a blanket
Getting out of the cold or extreme conditions as quickly as
possible is paramount. Hypothermia can cause damage to internal organs because
adequate blood flow is not maintained.
Remember, your dog will keep on going no matter what the
conditions may be. It is our responsibility to watch out for their safety.
Stop by again next month when we will discuss how and what
to do during the off season. Until then, have a Happy New Year and a great
2020!
Regards,
