AR-News: (US WI) Vets warn hypothermia hurts pets, too

[Animalara2003 at aol.com]

By DEB CLEWORTH
Daily Tribune Staff
Pets' fur coats might not be enough to protect them from subzero weather, and 
they can be susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia, a local veterinarian 
says.

"Most adult dogs can handle zero to 10 below, as long as they have an 
insulated house," Kristie Ponce, a veterinarian at Animal Medical and Surgical Clinic 
in Wisconsin Rapids, said. "When it's getting to 25 or 30 below, that's tough 
on any animal."
"In general, it's ideal to not have them outside when it's this cold," she 
said.

People who are concerned about an animal's welfare often will call the South 
Wood County Humane Society, Vanessa Marceau, assistant executive director and 
Wood County humane officer, said.

"We've gotten a lot of calls during the last couple of days," she said.

When calls do come in, the staff checks for adequate shelter. 
"They should have some kind of bedding, like hay, on the floor. It helps, 
too, if the doghouse is elevated a couple of inches," Marceau said.

If animals share a shelter, the danger decreases because they can keep each 
other warm, Ponce said.

"Cats are not as good at tolerating the cold as dogs are," she said. It is 
best to bring cats inside or at least keep them in an insulated garage. A heated 
garage would be even better, she said.





full story:
http://www.wisinfo.com/dailytribune/wrdtlocal/290526999529239.shtml



"The world is a dangerous place,
not because of those who do evil,
but because of those who look on and do nothing.",
Albert Einstein

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