He winter It forces us to be on alert, especially when it comes to protecting and dodging the low temperatures that are recorded daily in many parts of the country. These precautions are also applicable to pets, with which certain precautions must be adopted, especially if they will be exposed to cold, ice or snow.
“Dogs are cold when temperatures fall quite a lot, as happens to anyone. It is not very different from what happens to their owners, ”recalls the vice president of the Official Veterinary College of Murcia, María Luisa Medina, in statements to eldiario.es.
He cold That the dogs feel will depend on several factors, such as race, size or fur. “The short hair is not the same as long hair, for example. The body fat that they have also influences, ”explains the veterinarian, which ensures that a temperature cannot be predetermined in which everyone has this sensation, although they could notice any change below 8 degrees.
“There is no temperature established in these cases and we will have to observe the animal to see its evolution in the greatest cold weeks. Nor is the same climate everywhere in our country, where temperatures can be pleasant in most of the year, ”follows the specialist.
Cold symptoms in a dog
Each hairy is a world and come into play various factors When the extreme cold arrives, as happened during the first weeks of January, when temperatures collapsed below 0 degrees in many parts of the country, reaching 10 negative degrees in points of the peninsular interior. However, some symptoms can be identified in the animal, such as tremor or do not want to leave the house, Medina details.
As in humans, there are certain populations that must be monitored closely: “The cold especially affects older dogs that have osteoarthritis or other problems in the bones, increasing their pain. Also to those with respiratory problems. ” In these cases, it is advisable to take it to the veterinarian, to assess the dose in its medication, in case it had to be adjusted to mitigate the pain.
Precautions to protect the cold dogs
As in summer, at this time of the year it is convenient to avoid the coldest hours when walking and shorten the time. You can also use some shelter garments. “Animals with a long and dense fur will not need a vest that protects them. On the other hand, in those dogs With short fur and that they will have a certain exposure for a while, it would be advisable to keep their body temperature, but without losing sight that we have to be careful with the legs and ears, and that we are not going to Cover, ”insists the specialist.
With cats you also have to be careful and always govern yourself by the same standard: avoid exposure when it’s very cold. However, her case is different, says the vice president of the Official College of Veterinarians of Murcia: “We do not take them out for a walk and they are autonomous enough to regulate their departures. In those cases, they will stay at home or seek shelter. ”
In parallel, the veterinarian warns of the importance of continuing to deworm animals during the winter. “Lately we are finding dogs that come to consultation or canine hairdresser with fleas. With the cold, even if we spend more time at home, the risk does not decrease. There are still parasites that, if not eliminated, end in our sofas and other surfaces, ”he concludes.
#dog #affect #dog #Tips #protect #temperatures
