Keeping pets out of harm's way this winter

By Trish Muntean, Fort Wainwright PAONovember 19, 2010

Scooter
FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - Although the entire family would love it if Scooter really could use the toilet, he must be let outside to take care of business. During the winter months it's important to keep a close eye on your pets to prevent cold-relat... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - For many people, pets are as much part of the family as children, but while child-proofing the house is not unusual, pet-proofing is not so common.

Our pets face special risks during the winter and holiA,A!day season. Maj. Angela Parham, commander of the Alaska District Veterinary Command, made these suggestions to keep pets safe.

When it is time to take the dog out for a walk, put boots on the dog as well as yourself. According to Parham, they are a must-have for any Alaska dog's wardrobe. Booties protect the feet from cold and ice balls that can form between their pads.

Booties also protect dog's pads from irritation caused by deicing chemicals and salts on walkA,A!ways. If you don't put booties on your dog, be sure to check the animal's feet carefully after it's been outside. Remove any ice balls and wash the feet if the dog has walked on a deiced walkway.

Boots aren't the only must-have in an Alaskan dog's wardrobe. Small or thin-coated dogs might appreciate a coat or sweater for their walks on those cold days.

However, even with a coat, dogs should not be left outside all day. "Animals can get frostbite just like people, and if you leave your pet out too long when the temA,A!peratures drop, they can get it on their feet, ears, tail, nose," Parham said.

She also said the length of time an animal can spend outside varies by size, the thickness of coat, extent of acclimation, etc, but no animal is safe unsheltered at 40 below. When in doubt, ask a vet or just don't leave your pet outside.

Parham recommends keeping the chocolate up and out of reach. It contains a toxin called theobromine that can be deadly to pets. Signs include trembling or nervousness, vomiting and/or diarrhea, muscle spasms, seizures, and, rarely, coma or death.

The amount of chocolate an animal would have to eat to reach a toxic level varies by animal and depends on the size of and sensitivity of the animal as well as the type of chocolate consumed.

Parham says that just one or two ounces of cocoa powder or baker's chocolate is a fatal dose for cats and small dogs. It you catch your dog or cat with their nose in the bag of ChristA,A!mas candy, consult your vet. If a pet eats dark or baker's chocolate, take it to an emergency clinic immediately.

Chocolate is not the only thing found around the house that if ingested can be deadly to an animal. Parham said ethylene glycol (commonly known as antifreeze) is attractive to animals because of its sweet taste. It is extremely toxic and ingestion constitutes a medical emergency. If you see your pet drink any (or suspect that it might have), you should get it to the nearest emergency clinic immediately. Parham said waiting until your regular vet clinic opens the next day is literally a death sentence, as timing is what determines whether the toxicosis is treatable. Once the ethylene glycol is metabolized by the liver, it is untreatable and 100 percent fatal. The newer types of antifreeze do not contain ethylene glycol and are supposed to be non-toxic, but when in doubt consult a veterinarian.

Holiday decorations may make your home more festive, but present a potential danger to the animals in it. Parham offered these tips.

Watch your animals around electrical cords. Cords should be kept away from chewing pets.

If your pet does manage to bite through a cord, do not try to pull the animal off the cord. You won't pry the jaws open if the electrical stimulation clamps them shut and you'll get a nasty shock if you try. Unplug the cord, then take care of the animal.

Never underestimate an animal's willingness to swallow something that has no resemblance to food.

Most people probably know to take their pet to the vet if they catch them munching on the shards of a glass ornament, but many people may not know that tinsel can be the deadliest thing on the tree.

String-like objects, when swallowed, are what vets call "linear foreign bodies."

If one end of such an object gets stuck and the other end tries to make the trek down the digestive tract, the normal peristaltic movement of the gut can cause it to saw right through the intestine.

Cats, especially, love playing with tinsel and the age-old image of a kitten happily playing with a ball of yarn may cause owners to think it is OK, but it isn't.

If your pet does swallow something like this while you are not looking and it doesn't get stuck anywhere along the line, you may find out about it when it makes its appearance at the other end. If this happens, do not pull it out. Cut off whatever is visible and wait for the rest to pass naturally.

The holiday plants that make a home so festive can be dangerous to pets. Keep those plants where your pets can't get to them.

Once the family has enjoyed the holiday feast, keep leftovers out of reach. Feeding your pet food it is not used to or more than it usually eats can cause serious problems.

If either happens watch your pet carefully to ensure it does not need medical attention.

"If your pet has mild, non-bloody diarrhea, but isn't vomiting, is eating and drinking nor-mally, and seems to feel well, it is likely just mild enteritis that will resolve itself with a few days of a good diet," Parham said. However, if your pet has severe or bloody di-arrhea, vomiting, isn't eating or drinking and/or appears to have a painful or bloated abdoA,A!men, notify your veterinarian immediately.

By following these few simple suggestions, the family pet can avoid a trip to the vet clinic this winter.