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Keeping dogs safe in the snow and cold |
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Tuesday, December 06, 2011 11:43 |
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Photo by Mark Fox, Summit Daily News
By KATHRYN CORAZZELLI, SUMMIT DAILY NEWS
Keep 'em hydrated
Make sure dogs have water at all times, even outside in the snow. Sometimes people think snow can replace water. But because it's so dry, it's hard for dogs to take in enough to meet their hydration needs, said Dr. Ed Hastain, owner and head veterinarian at the Breckenridge Animal Clinic. “They need to have water.”
Deep snow warnings
“Old dogs that are having any trouble getting around could get stuck in a snowdrift and struggle to the point where they just get exhausted,” Hastain said. “Those guys would be at risk of having severe problems, even dying of hypothermia in that situation.”
Running in deep powder often could cause problems for a pup; vets in the high country see much more shoulder problems and tendinitis than those in at lower elevations. Back leg and knee problems tend to occur when the snow starts to get a crust, and dogs hyperextend their legs.
Proper nutrition
Adjust a dog's diet based on the amount of activity they're getting, Hastain says. If they're expending more calories than usual running through snow, they may need more food.
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