(from Debbie Poloka, DOGMAN Certified Pet First Aid & CPR Instructor)

It is important to know that while some are hardier than others, any breed of dog can get frostbite or even freeze to death. Older dogs, sick dogs, and puppies are even less tolerant.  TEAM DOGMAN has some safety tips for protecting your dog in the snow and cold.

Bundle them up and protect those paws!

• To help keep your light-coated dog or puppy warm while you are out for a walk or play, consider a sweater.  Remember this doesn’t mean that you can leave him/her out for an extended period of time.
• For added protection against snow in the pads and harsh road chemicals which can be irritating, use booties or Musher's Wax worked into the paws.  Trimming excess hair around the feet can help prevent snow and ice from becoming caked into the foot pads.  If this does happen, don’t yank it out which can possibly cause pain, either work it out gently, let it melt naturally, or use a warm wash cloth or bowl of water to melt it.
• Shoveling out areas of the yard for your pup to do its business and take a break from trudging through deep snow is a good idea for added safety.  Provide adequate shelter and plenty of fresh water.
• If your dog spends a lot of time outside during the winter, provide adequate shelter such as a properly sized dog house turned away from the wind with warm bedding inside.  A heated kennel would be even better.  Even for a double-coated dog, wind, water and ice can be a problem.  Snow sits on the coat, but wind and water will get underneath to the skin.
• Provide plenty of water for your outdoors loving dog because winter air is exceedingly dry.  Also consider heated dog bowls which will prevent the water from freezing.
• Bathing a dog too often will strip the coat of protective oils.  An alternative is a soap free rinse in the tub or basement to remove road salt and dirt, regular brushing will also keep the coat clean.
• Mixing a good quality fish oil supplement into your dog’s food is great for overall health, skin and coat, and stiffness.  Always ease your dog into any diet change; a small amount of fish oil daily can work wonders.

Keeping them away . . .

• Keep your pup away from ponds or streams, even if they appear to be completely frozen over there can be unsafe sections and hidden ice fishing holes.  There is also a possibility of your dog slipping and hurting itself.
• All that fur around fireplaces and space heaters is a danger to your pup; keep them at a safe distance.

Keep it Pup Friendly!

Although rock salt is excellent for snow and ice melting, it can be dangerous for our dogs.

• Rock salt is another substance to be wary of in winter. As it is abrasive, it may cut into your dog’s paw and the salt can become imbedded in the wound, causing intense pain. Your pup may proceed to lick its paws and burn their mouth and throat. Dogs may eat rock salt which can cause vomiting.  Repeated ingestion of rock salt can lead to kidney problems or pancreatitis.
• Consuming rock salt can cause large breeds to drink a lot of water resulting in a condition called bloat which requires immediate medical attention.
• When bringing your dog in from the outside during an icy-cold day, check its feet. Remove ice balls from between the toes and wipe its feet with a damp towel, especially after walking on heavily salted pavement.
• There are many different brands of pet-friendly rock salt available. The key is to read the labels, the products that are pet-friendly will specifically say.  A general rule of thumb should be that if it does not explicitly say the product is pet-friendly, it is not. Additionally, if the product has ingredients with hygroscopic chemicals, such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, avoid using them.

Cold Injuries – Frost Nip and Frostbite:

Extreme or prolonged exposure to low temperatures can cause freezing of the skin and tissues.  Areas most commonly affected are the ears, paws, scrotum, and tail.

Signs:  Skin can become swollen, red, and painful; can be hard and pale.  In later stages, your pup may lose skin and hair in the affected area, the lesion is similar to a burn.  In late stages of frostbite the skin can be hard.

Actions for Survival:  Of course, prevention is best.  Follow these cold injury protocols.

• Frost nip parts should be warmed slowly with wet towels.
• Do not squeeze or rub the affected area as this will be extremely painful for your dog.
• Frostbite requires immediate attention by a veterinarian or emergency animal hospital to prevent further pain, ward off infection, and to assess possible permanent tissue damage.  Keep body parts frozen during transport.

Get outside and enjoy the snow and cold weather safely with your dog or pup & stay warm!
 
-- Deb, Jeff, and Carl at TEAM DOGMAN 

Look for upcoming emails about DOGMAN Pet First Aid and CPR classes with Debbie Poloka.

(from Debbie Poloka, DOGMAN Certified Pet First Aid & CPR Instructor)

The holidays will be in full swing in a matter of days and TEAM DOGMAN is reminding you and your family to keep dogs safe during gatherings.  Curious pups are inclined to eat everything in sight even if it is as indigestible as a tree ornament.  Consider the following tips to keep dogs safe and comfortable and to prevent any accidents from occurring. 

Give Your Dog a Bone . . . and avoid these items in her reach

Sharp objects: Toothpicks, ornament hooks and bottle caps are just as harmful as chicken bones. And when the toothpick is meatball flavored or hook is attached to a candy cane, it's hard for your pet to resist.

Large objects: Corks, small toys, tree decorations and fruit pits may be small enough for your dog to swallow, but too big to digest.

Stringy objects: The normal twisting of the gut causes long, thin objects to get stuck in a dog’s intestine. In addition to such year-round hazards as foil, plastic wrap and dental floss, watch out for tinsel, ribbon, yarn and string used for popcorn or cranberry garlands. A mere 4 inches can be life threatening to your small dog.

Plant hazards:  Poinsettia and. A number of Christmas season plants are poisonous to dogs if nibbled or eaten: ivy - moderate to very toxic, all parts; holly - moderate to very toxic, especially the berries and leaves; mistletoe - very toxic, all parts, especially the berries; Jerusalem cherry plants are poisonous to dogs; Christmas greens such as balsam, juniper, cedar, pine and fir - all parts have a low level of toxicity; hibiscus - may cause vomiting or bloody diarrhea if ingested; and poinsettias - leaves and stems low in toxicity. This is not a conclusive listing...there are many more toxic plants.

Watch the holiday decorations!

Most dogs are curious by nature, so they will want to check out any additions to the decor.  Sniffing can lead to chewing, or even ingestion of foreign objects. Keep electrical cords tucked away and other decorations or holiday plants out of reach.  Watch out for dangling objects that can be pulled down and cause injury.  Candles should never be left unattended.  Also, if you have a Christmas tree, don't let your dog drink the tree water, it is dangerous.  Fertilizers and other pesticides may be present in the water and cause health problems or death when ingested.  Stagnant water that sits will contain a high level of bacteria that can also cause problems for pets.
 
Don't Let Your Dog Get Lost in the Shuffle

Holiday parties and gatherings can mean lots of commotion.  This might be fun for you, but not for your dog.  Lots of people in your home can result in injury or stress for your dog.  A large crowd is not the place for most dogs, so consider keeping her in a crate or quiet room - especially if she is the nervous type.  If she is comfortable around a smaller group, just make sure you set down the ground rules with your company: don't feed the dog and keep the doors closed!  Many pets get loose and run off during the holiday season. 

People who don’t have dogs, and even some who do, don’t always know what foods it can or cannot have.  If you intend to let your dog mingle among the crowd, let everyone know that food is only to be eaten by humans.  Do your dog a huge favor and keep it safe.  Keeping it away from guests also prevents young children and hard-headed adults from going against your wishes and possibly doing something to harm your dog or cause death.  This can also prevent unexpected runaways when guests arrive/depart or someone stepping on your small dog.  Though your dog should always wear a collar with current identification, this is especially important during the holiday season. 

No table scraps!

Just because we humans like to indulge in the feast does not mean it is good for our dogs.  Rich, fatty foods can seriously upset your dog's stomach and even be toxic.   It is especially important to keep your dog away from the following dangerous foods:

• Onions, which can cause anemia (high levels of garlic can, too).
• Grapes and Raisins (stuffing).
• Macadamia nuts, while generally not considered fatal, can cause your dog to experience severe illness.
• Bones (especially cooked bones and ANY poultry bones).
• Caffeine is quite similar to the toxic chemical in chocolate.  It can damage the heart, lungs, kidney, and central nervous system.
• Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol - a seriously toxic chemical compound that causes central nervous system and respiratory depression.
• Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener most often found in chewing gum and candy. In dogs, it stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Xylitol ingestion can also cause severe liver damage.
• Any foods high in fat, sodium and/or sugar.

There are some human foods that are okay for dogs, so if you want to give them a special treat you have some options. Try a small piece of cooked turkey or chicken without skin or bones (and hold the gravy). Raw carrots and apples in moderate amounts are actually healthy for dogs. Just remember - everything in moderation.

We hope you and your family, both canine and human, will enjoy a fun, safe Holiday Season!

--Deb, Jeff, Carl and all of us at TEAM DOGMAN.

(from Debbie Poloka, DOGMAN Certified Pet First Aid & CPR Instructor)
 
Dogs enjoy the revelry at least as much as humans, with bits of this and that dropping on the floor, and delectable smells that are wafting around the house. But Thanksgiving mustn't be a free-for-all. Just because we try to pack away all we can doesn't mean our dogs should. And there are certain items your dog really needs to avoid.

"Veterinarians experience an increased number of office calls due to digestive problems after the holidays because humans invite their animals to celebrate with high fat meals (ham, gravy, turkey skin), chocolates, bones , etc.," warns Casandria Smith, L.A. Animal Services Chief Veterinarian, in a PetFinder article.

Here are some tips that will help your dog get through Thanksgiving safely and with a smile on her snout:

Stuff Your Turkey, Not Your Dog

It's easy to want to give your dog a big fat bowl of turkey, mashed potatoes, and whatever else you think she might enjoy. But that's a bad idea. Overindulging in fatty foods can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea, or a life-threatening condition called pancreatitis. A few strips of turkey on a dog's normal food is fine, but don't overdo it, no matter how she may plead with her "I'm STARVING" eyes. Keep in mind that turkey skin can wreak havoc with a dog's digestive system, so make sure she gets skinless, boneless turkey.

Stuff Your Dog's Kong, Not Your Dog

Here's a great way to keep your dog busy and happy during your meal. Put a bit of your dog's regular food in a Kong, and then stuff a little boneless turkey, sweet potatoes, gravy - just a tad, mind you - in the Kong. It's not much food, but it will keep him occupied for a long time.

Get Her Pooped

A dog that has been on a big walk or fetched the ball a zillion times will be much more likely to run out of energy during the feast than a dog that has been inside all day. A tired dog is a good dog on Thanksgiving Day.  Please make sure your pup gets plenty of exercise before the festivities begin.

Make No Bones About It

Cooked turkey bones can be a danger to your dog. They're sharp, and potentially very dangerous. You may not know a dog has a turkey bone lodged in your dog's digestive system for days. Don't leave plates with bones lying around. Ditto for the turkey carcass. Hungry dogs have been known to run off with the remains of a carved turkey. It can happen in the blink of an eye. You notice the turkey is gone. You notice the dog is gone. With luck, you find their hiding place before anything happens. Put plates in an unreachable area if you can't dispose of everything properly right away.

Know This Sage Wisdom

Sage and some other herbs have essential oils that can cause tummy upset and central nervous system depression if a dog eats them in large quantities. Most dogs aren't going to nosh on a fistful of sage, but keep herbs out of reach just in case. See: Poisonous Plants and Foods for Dogs.

Don't Cry Over Onions

Onions are toxic to dogs. They can lead to a dangerous form of anemia that may not be detected for days. Make sure your dog stays away from the pearly whites, and yellows, and reds.

Don't Give Her the Raw Deal

Unless your dog is already on a raw diet, we wouldn't recommend plopping a piece of raw turkey in her bowl (the change from her regular food might cause an upset stomach). But more importantly, keep your pup away from the uncooked dough for bread or rolls. What helps make dough rise? Heat. If a dog eats raw dough, what's it like for the dough in the dog's stomach? Warm. The dough rises in the dog's stomach, and if the dog has eaten enough, the swollen dough can cause pain, vomiting, and bloating -- conditions that can send you to the doggy ER on Thanksgiving.

Avoid Yappy Hour

Some dogs seem to enjoy alcoholic drinks. Walk away from your drink that's set on the coffee table, and Lulu may get lit. Dogs and booze are a bad mix. Your dog may not do anything embarrassing she'll regret in the morning, but she could become disoriented and quite ill. Too much alcohol can even lead to a coma, and death. Watch where you - and others - put their drinks, especially if you have a curious pup.

We hope you and your family, both canine and human, enjoy will enjoy a fun, safe Thanksgiving!

--Deb, Jeff, Carl  and all of us at  TEAM DOGMAN.