|
What Is Frostbite?
Frostbite is the name given to tissue damage that's caused by exposure to extremely cold conditions.Frostbite in dogs most commonly affects the tips of the ears, the tail, the scrotum, and the feet (especially the toes).
The term frostnip is sometimes used for a case of very minor frostbite, where no tissue damage occurs.
What Causes Frostbite In Dogs?
Frostbite causes are most often related to exposure to temperatures well below freezing (32°F or 0°C). Healthy animals can usually withstand sub-zero temperatures if they're dry and out of the wind, but frostbite in dogs is likely to occur if an animal has no shelter, or is wet or injured.Your dog's body responds to exposure to cold temperatures by reducing blood flow to the outer parts of his body.
That helps preserve blood flow to the vital internal organs (heart, liver, kidney, lungs).
This diversion of blood increases the chances of frostbite in dogs -- in their ears, tail and toes.
Why? Well, without proper blood flow, these body parts are starved of oxygen and warmth.
As a result, ice crystals can form in the body tissues, which can result in tissue death.
Know the Symptoms of Frostbite In Dogs
Being aware of the most common frostbite symptoms will help you know when to take action. It's not easy to spot frostbite in dogs, as the affected areas are usually covered in fur. However, frostbitten areas will be very cold and hard to the touch, and appear very pale--possibly bluish or grayish in color.
As the skin warms, the damaged tissue will become red and swollen.
It will be very painful for your dog.
After a few days, the skin will dry up and look scaly.
Sores will appear at the tips of the ears or the tip of the tail, or on the scrotum.
In cases of severe frostbite, within several days the tissue will start to appear black in color and will eventually slough off over the course of several weeks.
First Aid For Frostbite In Dogs
You should know how to treat frostbite even if you have a furry pup like a Golden Retriever. You just never know when that knowledge might come in handy!The first step in treating frostbite is to get your pup into a warm place and cover him with a blanket. (If you can warm it up in the dryer first, that's even better.)
Since the body tries to preserve the vital organs by pulling blood from the extremities, if you can get the whole body warmed up, blood can again flow to the extremities.
When dealing with frostbite in dogs, if one or more paws appear to be affected, you can immerse the paw in a basin of lukewarm water to warm it gently.
You should see an improvement within a few minutes.
As the water begins to cool, replace it with more lukewarm water.
After you’ve warmed the affected area, dry it gently and thoroughly.
Now wrap up your dog in a warm blanket and get him to your vet as soon as you possibly can.
He knows how to treat all stages of frostbite.
Here are some frostbite treatment methods that you should avoid:
- Do not use direct dry heat such as a heating pad or hair dryer.
- Do not rub or massage the skin, as this will do more harm than good.
- Do not apply snow or ice (an old wives' tale).
- Do not give any medication for pain unless instructed to do so by your vet. Many human pain relievers can be toxic to pets.
- Do not warm a frostbitten area if it can't be kept warm. Refreezing after thawing will create even greater injury to the tissues.
Treatment For Frostbite In Dogs -- At the Vet Clinic
Your veterinarian will examine the affected area to determine the extent of the injury, although it may take several days to determine how much of the tissue actually died.Pain relief medication will be given, and antibiotics may be started to prevent secondary infection.
Animals suffering from frostbite often have hypothermia as well, so your vet will check for that, too.
In severe cases of frostbite, the dead and dying tissue attracts bacteria, causing gangrene--a situation which can be life threatening for your dog.
The most noticeable gangrene symptoms are the affected areas becoming cold and black. To stop the spread of gangrene, your dog may need to have a limb, his tail or part of an ear amputated.
Prevention of Frostbite In Dogs
Frostbite in dogs is easily prevented with common sense.Keep your dog protected from prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures by limiting the amount of time you allow him outdoors.
If you're out hunting, try to keep your Golden dry between retrieves, and out of the wind.
Once you're back home, make sure your dog gets warmed up, paying particular attention to his ears, tail and feet.
It's easy to practice frostbite prevention at home, too. When you come inside after a walk in very cold weather, you can warm a cloth in the microwave for a few seconds and lay it on your dog's ears to warm them up.
Take care of your pooch--you'll both be glad you did!
Search here for more information on Golden Retrievers
or anything else you want to know:
Return from Frostbite In Dogs
to Canine Health Emergency
Return from Frostbite In Dogs
to Lovable Golden Retriever Home Page
