What Causes Hypothermia in Dogs

It is snowing again and temperatures are so low. Going outside to walk your dog is not appealing at this time of the year.

Vet Checkup when Hypothermia is Severe

Even so, when you decide to take your dog for their daily walk or socialization at the park dress them warmly. We have coats, boots, and gloves to keep them warm and dry when it is snowy.

Also, remember to shield yourself from rain and snow with our awesome jackets and boots.

It is very easy for our furry friends to suffer from hypothermia if not warm enough. Hypothermia happens when the dog’s body temperature drops to extremely low temperature due to exposure to harsh elements of weather.

Dog Coats come in handy in snowy and rainy weather as the dog may be exposed to a cold and windy environment making her fur wet.

This can have a negative effect on your dog especially when you notice the heart rate slowing down, temperature dropping, and slow breathing, it could be signs of hypothermia.

Signs of Hypothermia

• Drop-in body temperature
• Difficulty breathing
• Pale or blue eyelids and gum
• Frostbite and shivering
• Weak and lethargic
• Body fur cold to touch
• Muscle stiffness and difficulty in walking
• Dilated pupils
• Kidney failure, heart failure
• When severe coma or death may occur

Sometimes the temperature can go as low as -15 degrees and it is best to keep your dog indoor and avoid any death due to severe hypothermia. Have indoor fun activities for your dog to enjoy during wintertime.

It doesn’t mean when indoor the dog should just lay around, try to get rid of excess energy by playing indoor games and activities as explained in our previous article.

Solutions of Hypothermia

Importantly, do not allow your dog to be a statistic due to winter conditions due to negligence. Remember the dog is an awesome family companion that has shared many family occasions and needs care and love.

Get a warm bed, toys, and treats to keep him/her busy and make winter time memorable as a family as most hours are spent indoors.

In addition, we have several treatments and solutions for hypothermia for dogs.

• First Aid

First aid can save your dog’s life. Once you notice your dog is showing signs of hypothermia start the treatment.

To start with remove them from the cold area and keep them in a warm area to increase their body temperature.

Moreover, you can cover them with a blanket to prevent shivering and trembling. If the dog has been outside and the fur is wet dry them off with a good towel then cover her/him with a blanket.

• Hot Water Bottles

Wrap a hot water bottle with towels and place it in your dog’s abdomen or inside their bed to keep warm. Additionally, you can also use hot pads to keep your dog warm.

Supervise your dog as you try to warm him up to avoid injury. As you do this keep on checking your dog’s temperature.

If there is no improvement in your dog’s body temperature take your dog to the vet for a checkup.

• Give Hot Fluids

Keep your dog hydrated and give him/her a lot of hot fluids. Change should be dictated after 30 minutes of taking hot fluids.

Additionally, if the body temperature doesn’t improve take your dog to the vet for further treatment.

• Clothe the Dog in Warm Attire

Dress your dog in a warm coat or jacket and when taking your dog out let him wear boots. Clearly, this will keep your dog warm and dry and prevent him from getting hypothermia.

Dogs can be affected differently by the cold weather. Especially dogs with short fur, small dogs, senior dogs, sick dogs can be susceptible to hypothermia.

Final Thoughts

In case of any hypothermia signs in your dog call your vet immediately for advice. Also, remember when your dog is cold doesn’t mean it is hypothermia.

Hypothermia occurs when a dog’s body temperature is lower than normal.

Keep Your Dog Warm With a Blanket

Particularly when the dog’s body temperature drops to 37°C it could be hypothermia setting in. subsequently when your dog is losing a lot of body heat than it is replacing it.

Hypothermia happens as a process, it starts as mild and later becomes evident when the body goes into heat conservation mode. If treatment is not started the dog’s life is at risk and may be fatal.

Normally a dog’s body temperature is between 99.5 and 102.5.

Particularly as temperatures continue dropping do not wait for your dog’s body to shut down, try to keep him warm as you seek help from your vet.

Despite that, avoid leaving your dog outside overnight when temperatures drop.