the big freeze

[socks 32,253]

I just thought that I would put this up with the big freeze on the way and according to the weather people this is going to be the worst winter on record …. I did a similar thing in the summer with regards to heat injurys … some of it may be teaching you to suck eggs but it may be of use to the new lads to the game … firstly lets remember that dogs can get hypothermic … this happens when a dog’s body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit …. Elderly or very young dogs are sometimes unable to regulate their body temperature properly and are at greater risk of hypothermia should the temperature drop dramatically in the night …. Another cause of hypothermia is shock … this is more for the terrier boys that may have their dogs out on a hard dig and the dog has taken a bit of punishment … now the dog will experience some sort of shock as the adrenaline runs slower in the body and the effect of the dig starts to take its toll …. Make sure these dogs are warm enoughe especially for the first 24 hours after the dig ….. here are a couple of signs of hypothermia….. weak pulse, decreased heart rate, dilated pupils, shivering, blue mucous membranes, stupor, unconsciousness and eventually coma. Frostbite can also be a problem at this time of year so her is what to look out for …… discoloration of the skin (blue early on and black in later stages). Areas prone to frostbite are the tips of ears, the tail, and pads of the feet …. also there will be a lack of pain or sensation of the affected area or it may be extremely painful when the area begins to warm up …. Prevention of hypothermia is easy and common sense …. Make sure the dog is in a dry and windproof shelter with plenty of warm bedding …. Make sure he has plenty of drinking water (check regularly that it isn’t frozen) as a dehydrated dog will quickly go down hill …. If possible pour a warm gravy over his food as dogs digest warm food quicker enabling the body to make best use of the meal …. When you get back in if the dog is wet or muddy dry him thoughrely before kennelling ….. if your dog is suffering with a cold injury here is what you should do … get the dog into a warm dry windproof shelter … dry the dog off (if it is wet ) wrap him in a dry blanket or coat …. Give regular small amounts of water …. Warm the dog gently … don’t try and warm the dog to quickly as this will cause the onset of shock and could prove fatal …. Remember that our dogs cant tell us whats up with them so watch them closely at this time of year …. For all you guys with short haired dogs there are loads of sites where you can by winter kennelling coats for the cold nights …. My greyhounds have been in theirs for the last 2 weeks ……………

[pickaxe 23]

excellent post

[The Ferret 0]

Cheers Socks, cracking post

[Guest bracken boy]

gud to know thanks

[swanseajack 227]

GOOD POST SOCK'S MATE !

[broomer 0]

excellent post

[Guest HAWKEYE]

BEST POST I HAVE READ ON HERE SOCKS!!!

[Guest CharlieC]

Im quite prepared to get slagged rotten for this but when its really freezing like it is here tonight, I make up a few hot water bottles for my dogs and put them inside an old pillowcase to stop them chewing it, and then place under the straw in their beds.

Ive been doing this for a few years now and never had one burst or chewed yet, its also a very cheap alternative to heat lamps etc

[socks 32,253]

sounds a good idea charlie .... 10 mins work for you and a nights worth of warmth for the dogs ... cant be bad

[Guest CharlieC]

sounds a good idea charlie .... 10 mins work for you and a nights worth of warmth for the dogs ... cant be bad 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

well its a bit more than 10 mins work as I'm going soft in me old age, I tend to make them one when it gets dark, and then another one about 7ish and then one around 10-11pm before I go to bed, That way they have a constant heat right up until bedtime and if I do it this way the bottles are usually still lukewarm in the morning.

I only do it when its really baltic though, the rest of the time, they have to fend for themselves :11:

[kentlad 0]

my missus brings him into bed lol

[Bantam cock 1]

www.reeveskennels.co.uk/Kennel%20Accessories.htm

if youve got power to your kennels, I'm thinking of putting these in the beds with a thermostat to keep at the right temp.

[towzer 3]

cracking advice for us newcomers socks cheers [bANNED TEXT]