PE T S
VETS’ ADVICE:
BY KORRIN LUCAS, DVM,
YELLOW SPRINGS VETERINARY CLINIC
WINTERIZING YOUR PET
While many pets may enjoy frolicking in the snow, winter weather can also
bring many challenges to keeping our furry friends healthy. Extra care is needed
to prevent illness, maintain body weight and control parasites. Below are some
helpful tips to make the next few months easier for both you and your pets.
KEEPING WARM
Dogs and cats are susceptible to hypothermia
and frostbite, just as humans are. A good
rule of thumb is that if you are cold, your
pet is, too. Some breeds are more susceptible
to ill effects of chill than others. An Italian
Greyhound, for instance, with a thin coat
and little body fat, may need to be suited
up with a “doggie parka” and booties to be
comfortable. A Husky, on the other hand, is
designed for cold weather and may overheat
if wearing extra clothes. Proper shelter must
be provided if your pet is going to be outside
for any extended period of time. When in
doubt, bring them inside! Frostbite most
commonly affects the paws, ear tips, nose,
and tail. The painful effects of this may not
be noted until days after the initial injury.
Photo: iStock
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Most of us are guilty of putting on a few
extra pounds during the winter months,
but this does not need to apply to our
pets. Obesity is a huge problem in our pet
population and can lead to diabetes, organ
disease and orthopedic issues. With colder
weather, exercise can be a challenge. Try
taking advantage of the afternoon hours to
get outside when it is warmer. Afterwards,
be sure that care is taken to clean off the snow
or salt that may accumulate and irritate the
paws. If your pet is more sedentary during
the winter, you may need to decrease the
amount of food and/or treats you give. Try
replacing commercial treats with healthier
options such as raw carrots, green beans
or apple slices. Most dogs like the crunch
and these foods are much lower in calories
than store-bought treats. Conversely, if your
pets are more active and spend a lot of time
outside, you may need to increase their food
intake to make up for the lost calories used
to keep warm.
PARASITE CONTROL
A common misconception is that cats and
dogs do not need flea, tick and heartworm
preventatives during the winter months.
Surprisingly, fleas and ticks can actually
be worse during the fall and winter.
They spend all summer reproducing, so
when fall comes, their numbers are at
the highest. Then with the colder weather,
they need to find a warm body to live on,
turning your pet into their new home.
Ticks can be found year round and can
transmit illnesses such as Lyme disease,
anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. Heartworm
disease is transmitted a bit differently,
through mosquito bites. Most people
would assume that it’s OK to skip a few
months of preventative when it is cold;
however, you would be surprised at how
quickly mosquitoes can appear when we
have a mild day in the winter months. It
only takes one bite to transmit heartworm
disease, which can be fatal. Speak with
your veterinarian about which products
would be best to provide year-round
coverage for your pet.
Winter can be a fun time for our canine
and feline friends as long as a few extra
precautions are taken to keep them safe.
Be sure to keep up with regular veterinary
visits and monitor for any signs of illness.
With a little extra care you and your pet can
enjoy this time of year.
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Korrin Lucas, DVM, is one of the
caring veterinarians at Yellow Springs
Veterinary Clinic, located at 25
Thomas Johnson Drive, Frederick.
Contact them at 301-663-8353 or
www.yellowspringsveterinaryclinic.com
WINTER 2016 | FREDERICK COUNTY GUIDE
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