Local veterinarian warns of protecting your pets during next week’s cold spell

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – The frigid cold weather comes as no surprise to Northwest Ohio but with sub-freezing temperature slated for early next week, local veterinarians are issuing a warning to keep close watch over your four legged friends.

Exposure to extreme cold can be dangerous for people and pets.

“Just like us, cold temperatures will certainly affect your pet,” Paul Pifer, DVM, a veterinarian with Countryside Animal Hospital said. “Once you get down into single digits, nobody wants to be outside in these temperatures.”

Pifer, has extensive experience working with animal in the cold, from Alaska to Ohio. He is putting out a warning to animal lovers to protect their pets during next week’s extreme cold as chances of hyperthermia and frostbite increases.

“Pets can get frostbite it’s typically on exposed areas with thinner skin, the flanks of the folds in front of their legs, their ear tips, genitals,” he said.

Pifer adds, acclimation is critical whether your animal lives outside or inside.

“If a dog lives outdoor year round they have gotten use to these cold temperatures and as long as they have shelter from storms, plenty of calories to generate heat they’re fine,” he said.

“Indoor dogs on the other hand if you’re going to take them outside during these really cold spells, outside to do our business don’t spend a lot of time outside,” Pifer said. “There use to be a day when I would make fun of people who put their dogs in clothes, I think it’s an excellent idea now particularly if they’re going to be out say on a walk longer than to just do their business.”

And those on the farm can take measures to shore up their animals like providing extra hay and shelter..

“Even horses, this time of year horses and cattle they need shelter from storms and wind as well,” he said.

Animals with existing health conditions like arthritis, heart and kidney disease, as well as diabetes could also be put at risk during the drop in temps.

“Any systemic disease can make them have a harder time regulating body temperature, you mentioned kidney disease I always worry about body core temperature they don’t regulate that as well,” he said.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, some signs of hypothermia you should watch out for during the dangerous temperatures are whining, shivering, seeming anxious, slows down or stops moving, seems weak, or starts looking for warm places to burrow.

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