In the cold season, pets are particularly sensitive to cold and require increased attention and concern. Most of their lives take place in rooms at room temperature. In turn, this leads to the fact that the immunity of domestic animals, as well as resistance to frost, is reduced. Most often, because of the characteristics of the content of frost, it affects the dogs. Therefore, on their example, we will tell you how to provide first aid for hypothermia and frostbite of limbs and other parts of the pet's body.
Subcooling
On a winter walk, one should be careful and observe the behavior of the dog. If she begins to tremble, she pinches alternately paws, then until the cold is not far. Do not try to "warm up" the dog with jogging and any active games, it is recommended that you return to a warm place quickly. In the case of small dogs it is generally better to take it in your arms and carry it home, wrap it around or hide it in your bosom. Clear symptoms of hypothermia in dogs is a decrease in body temperature below 37.5 ° C, with the mucous membranes of the mouth becoming pale, the coat is disheveled, the dog tries to keep the body warm, curled into a ball. In case the dog is affected by the cold, it should be immediately placed in a warm place , cover with a blanket, next place warmers with a temperature of 38-40 ° C, give a warm drink (broth or milk). It is important to measure the temperature of the dog, the dynamics of which should be positive.
In case the dog failed in the winter in ice water, it should be placed in a bath with warm water on returning home, dried up with a hairdryer, wrapped in a blanket, etc., as under normal hypothermia. It is also recommended to give the animal a little glucose (4 tablespoons per 0.5 liters of water) or honey.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia or severe hypothermia in the dog is manifested by a significant decrease in body temperature (below 36 ° C), inhibition of the animal and even loss of consciousness. At the same time, trembling disappears, the pulse weakens and is practically not probed, the heart rhythm slows down, breathing becomes shallow and sparse. A further drop in temperature causes severe disruption in the body and the death of the dog. In critical condition, the dog is wrapped in a wool blanket, warmers are placed nearby and immediately taken to the doctor. Hypothermia is dangerous because even a successful resuscitation, which is performed by a doctor and can last several hours, does not guarantee the absence of irreversible damage to the brain and internal organs of the dog. All this affects the life expectancy of the pet.
Frostbite
This is another danger for pets in winter frosts. In dogs, ears, fingers on the paws, mammary glands, scrotum suffer more often. The first sign of frostbite is the pallor of the skin in open areas. When the blood circulation is restored, the skin gradually turns red, flakes. Frozen places resemble traces of burns. They are dark, often black, clearly stand out against the background of healthy skin. Such areas of the skin are restored for 14-20 days, but they hurt longer.
Treatment of frostbite in a dog includes the same procedures as with hypothermia, but there are some nuances:
- rubbing it is better to replace with warming bandages from thick layers of cotton wool;
- Do not rub the frostbite skin areas, it can lead to the appearance of microcracks, where the infection easily penetrates;
- with the restoration of blood circulation there will be pain, which can be calmed by infusion into the mouth of cahors (1 tsp for 15 kg of weight, 1 d.l for medium breeds, 1 tbsp for large dogs weighing 25 kg). If there is no cahors, use an alcohol solution of 20-30%. One st. l. vodka for 1 tbsp. l. 40% of the glucose solution (can be replaced with sugar syrup). Give the dog in the same dosage as Cahors. In addition, wine and alcohol solution can be replaced with baralgin tablets. Applied in the following dosages: ¼ table. for small dogs, ½ table. for medium-sized dogs, and 1 table. - for large-sized rocks.
- Frozen areas are treated with bandages with Vishnevsky ointment.
Remember that after first aid in case of frostbite and hypothermia, it is necessary to show the pet to the veterinarian in time to detect and start to treat possible complications.