Frostbite in dogs: signs and treatment.

In spite of frost and blustery winds, a pet needs to be taken outside, at least to do some basic “toilet business”. However, even short walks sometimes cause a lot of trouble, consisting in hypothermia and frostbite in dogs. How to recognize the problem and protect the animal from it, we will tell you in this article.

The natural reaction to cold in dogs is a three-step process:

• The first step is to fluff up the wool, creating the thermally insulating properties of air between the hairs. This process is akin to the formation of “gooseflesh” in humans.
• The next reaction to cold is shivering. There is an active contraction of the muscles, which stimulates the blood circulation process in order to keep warm.
• The last stage is “activation of the energy-saving mode”, in which warm blood flows first to the most important for life internal organs – heart, lungs, liver. As for the limbs, tail, ears and genitals of dogs, there the blood flow is reduced very much.

It is the third stage that becomes the precursor to frostbite in dogs.

Frostbite is the deadening of tissues to which warm, oxygenated blood does not flow in sufficient quantities.

The tail and paws are most often affected by this unpleasant and extremely painful problem.

What are the signs of frostbite in a pet?

Signs of frostbite in dogs are not always clear and distinct. They do not manifest themselves immediately. Sometimes it takes hours, less often – days. That’s why veterinarians insist on a thorough examination of the paws, ears and tail after walks in frosty weather.

• The supercooled area is initially bright red in color.
• Frostbitten tissue turns white, grayish, blue, painful and swollen.
• Severe frostbite ends up necrotizing the tissue, causing it to turn black and delaminate.

Puppies and older dogs have less stable thermoregulatory processes, so are more prone to hypothermia.

What to do in case of frostbite in dogs

Before talking about first aid, it is important to remember what is forbidden to do in this case.

What should not be done?

• Never rub snow on frostbitten areas!
• Never try to rub your pet’s skin with your hands!
• Do not use hot water to wash the frostbitten area!
• Do not use disinfectants, alcohol-containing liquids, or oils and grease for rubbing.
• Do not apply a heating pad to your dog’s frost-damaged skin!
• Do not try to heat frostbitten skin with a hair dryer!

In case of frostbite, the animal risks losing an ear tip or finger, as the necrotized tissue will have to be removed by the veterinarian. Therefore, the owner needs to act competently and quickly.

What to do in case of frostbite in a dog?

In case of minor frostbite, the actions of the owner are as follows:

• The area of the body affected by frost is placed in warm water. The temperature should be 38-40oC. If it is a paw, it is placed in a basin of water, and to the rest of the body can be applied a warm compress for about 20 minutes.
• After warming, blot the water from the skin gently with a soft cloth, but never rub it. This will avoid painful sensations and additional damage.
• The pet is given a drink of warm sweet water, as hypothermia often lowers blood glucose levels.
• A sock is placed on the paw, other parts of the body are wrapped with bandages or cloth to avoid licking the wound and the animal is taken to a veterinarian.

In case of severe frostbite, a clean, dry and warm cloth that is soft and non-sticky is applied to the affected areas. The dog is taken to a veterinary clinic without delay.

Depending on the degree of frostbite and the pet’s condition, the veterinarian will prescribe treatment or surgery.

Treatment

If the frostbite is severe and the area of necrotized tissue is significant, surgical removal may be necessary. Otherwise, the veterinarian will prescribe treatment based on examination:

• safe painkiller – for pain relief
• antishock – to normalize the cardiovascular system
• antibiotics – to prevent the likelihood of infectious complications developing
• special medicines – to improve microcirculation
• veterinary ointments – for faster wound healing
• special diet for early recovery and regeneration of damaged tissue
• vitamins

Prevention

Frostbite in a dog is easier to prevent than to treat it long and hard.

• Keep walking time to a minimum in cold and windy winter weather, especially when it is snowing with rain.
• Dress short-haired pets in insulated overalls. Long-eared breeds definitely need a hooded version. When it rains and snows, even long-haired dogs will need overalls, even if they are not insulated.
• Shoes are good for protecting the paws from getting ice lumps between the toes, but if your pet is against it, use special paw ointments applied before a walk.
• Wash paws in warm, not hot, water after a walk. Inspect them for damage. For redness, inflammation and cuts, use wound-healing ointments and gels.

Ointments for the protection of dog paws

The action of special creams and ointments is to protect against the aggressive external effects of snow and ice, to nourish the skin of the paw pads and restore it, as well as to prevent inflammatory processes. The most effective means to protect paw pads from frosty weather:

• Trixie Paw Care – spray or cream
• Dermoscent Bio Balm
• Beaphar Feet Balsam
• Espree Paw Balm

It is recommended to apply the cream before the walk. If redness appears, also after washing the paws at the end of the walk.

There are a number of factors that increase the risk of frostbite in dogs. These include the size of the animal, its breed, the presence of certain diseases (heart disease, diabetes, etc.), and even the intake of certain medications. So take care of your pets, insulate them in cold weather and keep a close eye on their health.

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