Animal friends require extra care in freezing weather

Olin the duck is well aware of the dangers of frostbite.

Back in the winter of 2014, he sustained injuries during a coyote attack that left him unable to return to shelter. Outside in freezing temperatures overnight, Olin lost all his toes on his left foot and all but one toe on his right foot.

Now a resident of Don’t Forget Us…Pet Us, a Dartmouth-based animal sanctuary, Olin will be spending this weekend safe and sound in a barn resting on a bed of straw. Despite his encounter with frostbite, Olin is still able to get around on his own.

On Friday, the National Weather Service issued a 24-hour wind chill watch beginning on Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. The organization predicts that temperatures could dip as low as -3 degrees on Saturday night, with wind chill values as low as -24 degrees.

While staying inside is the best way for humans to stay safe when it's freezing outside, animals and their owners may have to venture outdoors periodically. Pets can experience frostbite and hypothermia just like humans. And, in cold weather, pet owners should pay special mind to another condition: dehydration.

It may seem like pets could stay plenty hydrated in the winter by chomping on snow, but this is not the case. Dr. Corinne Slaughter of Hidden Brook Veterinary Services said that dogs who eat snow cool their bodies, increasing their chances of dehydration. Providing barns animals with enough water can be an uphill battles as well.

“More horses colic in the wintertime than in the summertime because they don’t have enough access to water because it’s either frozen or cold, and they don’t want to drink it,” said Slaughter.

Deb Devlin, co-owner of Dartmouth’s animal sanctuary Don’t Forget Us…Pet Us, has a trick up her sleeve. Her barn animals will be getting a special treat this weekend: a mixture of bran mash and warm water. The soupy mixture is something like oatmeal for pets and will ensure her animals are staying hydrated while snacking.

Slaughter recommends not over-doing it with grains, however.

“Hay is more important for keeping these animals warm than grain,” she said. “That’s where they get their fuel from. It ferments in their cecum, and that’s where they get their heat from.”

Devlin suggests heating water troughs and buckets with inserts that can be purchased at pet stores. There are heated water bottles on the market as well, which will help smaller animals like rabbits have access to water on cold days.

Keeping pets warm is just as important as keeping them hydrated.

“Puppy jackets are cute, but they get wet and people don’t change them,” said Slaughter. “That sets the animal up for skin infections, especially in the ancillary areas.”

Another possible source of skin infection is on the bottom of dogs' feet. Slaughter recommends inspecting dogs’ foot pads after a walk because the salt and sand scattered across roadways, driveways and sidewalks can cause scratches and sores.

“When they come in from their walk, clean their feet off. Have a towel there and watch their feet for abrasions,” she said. “For a dog that has fluffy feet, trim the hair underneath so they’re walking on their pads and not slipping on ice.”

While walking with an animal companion in the extreme cold, it’s important to take extra precautions and limit the amount of time spent outdoors.

“If it’s too cold for people, it’s too cold for pets,” said Chris Besse, a preparedness coordinator at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

“We want people to take extra precautions. If you can, limit the time you’re outside during the cold weather. If you have to go out, dress in warm layers to keep warm,” he said.

Besse said that frostbite typically occurs on extremities, such as the fingers, toes, ears and nose. For dog walkers, if you “start to lose feeling or the skin’s really red or pale,” it could be a sign of frostbite. If that occurs, head inside immediately, he said.

Whether it’s a dog barking outside or an animal wandering about a pasture, Deb Devlin said “if you see downed animals, report it.”

“If you’re seeing animals that look like they’re struggling in the cold, it’s okay to call animal control and have them checked on,” said Devlin.

In Dartmouth, the animal control officer can be reached at 508-910-1840.