Hypothermia In Dogs

Hypothermia in dogs is an abrupt, life-threatening situation that requires immediate attention and action to ensure that the dog’s temperature begins to rise again. Low temperatures are hazardous to dogs’ health. Although some breeds, such as the Siberian husky and Saint Bernard, are more resistant to the cold than others, the cold affects all dogs. We must use extreme caution with some dog breeds, dogs with short fur, and sensitive animals.

Exposure to cold, snow, wind or heavy precipitation might increase the likelihood of developing a cold. However, hypothermia can be set if the exposure is prolonged and the temperature is low enough.

This situation is life-threatening for your dog, so continue reading to learn more about the symptoms and how to respond.

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What is canine hypothermia?

Hypothermia is a complex clinical syndrome, although it can be defined as a considerable drop in body temperature. It can occur in a variety of animal species, not just mammals. Each animal has a unique body temperature, but if a dog’s temperature goes below a certain threshold, it will become hypothermic. The body loses more heat than it can absorb at extremely low temperatures.

A dog’s core body temperature is typically between 38 and 39.2 degrees Celsius. When the temperature falls below this threshold, hypothermia sets in.

Depending on the method employed to take the dog’s temperature, there may be a small margin of error. However, when a dog’s body temperature dips below 36 Celsius, we must be vigilant for the emergence of any other symptoms, as this would indicate that our dog requires immediate veterinary care.

Canine Hypothermia Symptoms

The severity of hypothermia symptoms in dogs increases as the body reacts to a temperature drop and eventually shuts down.

When hypothermia does occur, it is typically because pet owners fail to identify the early warning signals. It also appears when individuals leave their pets outside overnight by mistake. If you observe the following symptoms in your dog, keep them warm and get them to an emergency veterinarian immediately:

• Tremors
• Muscular rigidity.
• Slow motions
• Drowsiness.
• Difficulty in inhaling
• Dry Skin.

If hypothermia is not treated promptly and effectively, the clinical picture of the dog may worsen. This will likely result in the following side effects:

• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced heart rate
• Disorientation.
• loss of hunger
• pupils’ dilation
• Sudden death.

What causes canine hypothermia?

The primary causes of hypothermia in dogs include prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, prolonged submersion in cold water, and shock resulting from a traumatic event or fear. Newborn pups, older dogs, and smaller breeds are also more susceptible to hypothermia because they lose body heat through their skin faster than other dogs.

It can also be prevalent in dogs undergoing anesthesia, but your veterinary anesthesiologist is well-trained to monitor it, so you have nothing to worry about. Hypothalamus diseases, such as hypothyroidism, can cause hypothermia because the hypothalamus is essential for controlling and maintaining the body’s temperature.

How is hypothermia in dogs diagnosed?

By testing a dog’s body temperature, it’s pretty simple to diagnose hypothermia. In addition to monitoring their respiration, your veterinarian may also use an electrocardiogram to record the electrical activity of their heart to confirm its correct functioning. Urine and blood tests will likely rule out other potential reasons, such as hypoglycemia, metabolic diseases, and cardiovascular disease.

If hypothermia is caused by cold exposure, frostbite may also be evident, particularly on the paws, ears, and tail. The skin will be pale, gray, or blue in color and cold, brittle, and painful to the touch. Your veterinarian may also examine the dog’s gums, which will become pale or white if the hypothermia is caused by shock.

How can hypothermia in dogs be treated?

If you suspect your dog has been exposed to a cold and observe any of the signs above, you must visit the veterinarian immediately. Acute cases of severe hypothermia can result in lasting harm to the body and even death.

As a dog’s body temperature drops, blood pressure and heart rate decrease. This could result in arrhythmias. Human ventricular arrhythmias are the primary cause of a high death rate in hypothermic patients. Likewise, exposure to cold can cause a dog’s heart to cease pumping. Hypothermia can also cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the dog’s blood, a halt in its metabolism, and rare cases, multiple organ failure.

To cure hypothermia, a specialist must create the ideal atmosphere for stabilizing the dog’s temperature. However, this must be done gradually, as exposing the dog to too much heat can cause his body to go into shock.

The dog should not move excessively to prevent more heat loss and prevent it from becoming weakened. The animal can be warmed using hot air, heating pillows, infrared lamps, or blankets.

If the patient has acute hypothermia, additional treatment may be necessary. This could include intravenous fluid treatment to increase blood volume and raise body warmth. Similarly, enemas can also be administered for this reason. The dog can also be administered oxygen to assist its breathing and ensure sufficient oxygen reaches its blood.

First aid for dogs with hypothermia

If you see multiple symptoms of hypothermia in a dog, you must immediately visit a veterinarian’s hospital or clinic. However, anything you do en route to the veterinarian can improve his condition. Therefore, you should be familiar with several first-aid techniques for hypothermic dogs:

• If the dog has fallen into freezing water or is soaked from rain, snow, etc., we should attempt to dry it promptly with a dry towel. When paired with extremely low temperatures, humidity promotes the onset of hypothermia in dogs.
• Providing shelter and heat: once the dog has dried sufficiently, we must provide it with heat to help it regain its equilibrium due to its temperature loss. This can be accomplished by wrapping the dog in a dry towel, blanket, coat, or dog-specific apparel. Additionally, we can embrace him to transfer part of our body heat. This delivers steady, but not quick, heat.
• To prevent a decline in body temperature, the body must balance its blood glucose levels by utilizing its energy stores. That is, accelerate the glucose metabolism in the bloodstream to maintain stability. As a result, the dog may experience a sudden onset of hypoglycemia, characterized by a significant drop in blood glucose levels. This may result in fainting, lethargy, and even coma. If we recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia shock, we can administer a spoonful of honey to restore the patient’s blood sugar levels immediately. However, puppies should not consume honey.
• Examine your body: exposure to excessive cold and hypothermia can cause frostbite and other frost-related injuries. It is advised to examine the dog’s body for symptoms of injuries carefully. Particular attention should be taken to hairless parts such as the paws, ears, legs, nose, anus, tail, and genitalia. If you discover an injury, you must visit the veterinarian immediately.

Prevention of canine hypothermia

Avoiding extended exposure to cold temperatures is the best strategy to prevent hypothermia in dogs. This is of utmost importance whether your dog is young, old, or a breed that is particularly sensitive to cold weather.

If you have a dog at risk for hypothermia, you should consider acquiring thick coats and protective boots to keep them warm and dry during winter. This will help lower their risk of hypothermia and keep your dog happy and healthy.

During the winter, if your dog is susceptible to the cold, you should avoid taking him on extended walks. It is crucial to remember that if the weather is too cold for you, even if you’re wearing multiple layers of clothing, it’s likely much too cold for your dog. If you feel your dog has hypothermia, get veterinarian assistance immediately; with prompt treatment and proper care, they will recover quickly.

Conclusion

The most important thing for dog owners is to realize the signs of hypothermia in dogs. If you have a dog that is shivering, staggering, or showing any exhaustion, stop playing immediately and seek medical attention for your dog. You can always resume play with your pet once he has had the chance to recover from his illness.

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