Pass Along RJ
February 2011

Right now the country is in the middle of an arctic siege.

This morning I bundled in my down coat; found my warmest gloves, mittens, and hat; and slipped on a couple pairs of socks before putting on the winter boots - all to take my Labrador for our morning walk, which, at this time of year, is a lot shorter than usual. So I got to thinking about what I should be considering about during these winter months as far as Roxie is concerned.

She's ten years old, which brings a few things to mind right away. For one, we need to avoid icy spots so that she doesnt slip and twist or break something, which really is the case for dogs of any age. Older dogs (and young pups) also can't regulate their body temperature as well, so they can't be outside in freezing or below-freezing temperatures for very long. Per the vet's instructions, Roxie isn't allowed to trudge through deep snow as it puts stress on her joints that are already arthritic. Speaking of which, arthritic joints can become much stiffer during the winter months due to the cold and reduction in activity.

Some other things dog owners should be aware of:

Paw Care. Salt and other de-icers for sidewalks and roads can cause irritation on your dog's foot pads, which causes the dog to lick its paws. This can lead to an upset stomach since these products are toxic; however, this occurring too often can lead to more serious issues. Wipe off your dog's paws with a moist towel right after coming back inside. Also watch for ice balls that may have formed between the dog's toes. "You can reduce the problem by trimming the hair," says Larry Brown.

Frostbite. "All dogs should be watched for frostbite on the extremities (feet, ears, tail, etc.)," says Dr. Ben Character. These areas are susceptible because they are the most exposed to the elements and often have less insulation in the forms of hair or fat and muscle. Frostbite in an area begins as a reddish color that gradually turns to grey. If you suspect frostbite, give your dog a warm - not hot - bath, and wrap the dog in towels. Don't rub the affected spots. Call your vet if the problem looks to be significant.

Dehydration. Look at your hands after two months of winter and you can easily tell how little moisture is in the air. Dry winter air takes moisture from us and our dogs. To replace that moisture, we need to encourage our dogs to drink more often. The signs of dehydration are lack of skin elasticity, constipation, exhaustion, appetite loss, vomiting, and depression. Offer a dehydrated dog water in small doses on a frequent basis. Offer lukewarm water, and if your dog still refuses to drink, entice by adding a bouillon cube. Sometimes it takes two or three hours for recovery, but improvement will begin within 20 minutes of the first dose because that's when the water starts to plump up the shriveled cells.

Antifreeze. Dogs think this stuff is candy. Keep an eye on your dog when outdoors, especially in areas where it can encounter this poison. According to Dr. Ben, "The first symptom of antifreeze toxicity you will notice is something called ataxia, where the dog appears to be drunk. Within a short time, the second-stage symptoms, which include vomiting and depression, will begin to occur; lastly, the dogs usually either become comatose or begin to have severe seizures." A Lab Roxie's size - 75 pounds - has to lap up only two-thirds of a cup to be harmed. Take your dog to the vet immediately.

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