General Health and Wellness in Cold Weather

Preventive care is crucial in the colder months. Schedule veterinary check-ups in the fall to catch any health issues that might worsen in cold weather. Vaccinations and deworming are important for both cats and dogs as they prepare to face the winter months.

At home, adjust your pet’s diet to account for increased energy expenditure in cold weather. Dogs and cats burn more calories to maintain body heat. Increase their food intake slightly, focusing on a balanced diet rich in carbohydrates and proteins. However, monitor their weight closely to avoid obesity.

Special Considerations for Cats in Winter

Many cats have access to the outdoors throughout the year. Their tolerance for cold weather varies based on breed, fur length, and health.

Cats with short fur or health issues should have limited outdoor exposure in winter to avoid respiratory problems like pneumonia or kidney infections. Outdoor cats generally grow thicker coats in winter, providing them with natural insulation. However, gradual acclimatization to cold temperatures is essential.

For those who worry about their cats at night, consider installing a cat flap for free movement. If that’s not an option, create a warm, insulated outdoor shelter with materials like polystyrene, straw, and blankets.

Be cautious about water bodies like ponds in winter. Thin ice can be a hazard, so consider fencing off these areas. Also, be careful with cat clothing or collars, as they can lead to accidents if the cat gets caught.

Winter Care for Dogs

Dogs, especially those that spend a lot of time outdoors, require specific care in winter. Apply protective ointments or balms to their paws to shield them from cold surfaces, ice, and harmful substances like road salt.

For active dogs or those involved in dog sports, consider special footwear like “valenki” boots to protect their paws. However, this might not be necessary for everyday walks in urban areas.

Keep your dog active and moving during walks to maintain warmth. For small, old, or thinly-coated dogs, invest in functional, warm clothing. Avoid letting your dog play with snowballs or sticks, as these can cause injuries or digestive problems. Prevent your dog from eating snow, which may contain harmful substances like road salt.

After walks, thoroughly clean your dog’s paws and check for injuries or trapped debris. Apply a soothing cream to keep their paws healthy. Avoid frequent baths in winter, as this can strip the skin of natural oils, reducing cold protection. Regular brushing is important to remove dead undercoat and maintain healthy skin and fur.

Creating a Comfortable Environment Indoors

Ensure your home is a warm, comfortable haven for your pets during winter. Provide extra bedding and blankets for them to snuggle into. Keep their sleeping area away from drafts and cold floors.

Consider using a humidifier if your home gets particularly dry in winter. Dry air can affect your pet’s skin and respiratory system.

Nutrition and Hydration

Proper nutrition is essential in winter. Provide a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients. Ensure continuous access to clean, unfrozen water to keep your pets well-hydrated.

Remember, winter care for pets goes beyond just keeping them warm. It’s about adjusting their entire care routine to ensure they stay healthy and comfortable throughout the season. Your attentive care will help your pets enjoy the winter months safely and happily.

Watch your dog

There is hardly a dog that has never suffered from a musculoskeletal disorder. Particularly as pets age, bone disease becomes more and more likely to occur. That’s why it’s even more important to keep an eye on your beloved four-legged friend, especially at an advanced age. After all, some signs of cartilage deterioration are not always obvious. In order to get help quickly and therapy started in time, you should keep a close eye on your dog.

Osteoarthritis in dogs

Osteoarthritis is one of the degenerative bone diseases in dogs. This means that individual body parts become increasingly limited in their function over the course of the disease (degeneration = regression). If your dog suffers from osteoarthritis, his joints become deformed over a long period of time: the cartilage wears away quickly, often the joint capsule also shrinks. The joints no longer properly adhere to each other, and the bones rub against each other, causing pain on the slightest movement.

Unhealthy stress can even cause bone-like growths. This can often be recognized by thickened knees, elbows, shoulders, spine and hips. A distinct crackling sound on movement can also indicate thickened joints. Any movement becomes painful for your dog. If left untreated, arthritis can lead to ossification of the joints.

Causes of arthritis in dogs

The most common cause of osteoarthritis is wear and tear on the joints. Most patients are older dogs.. But unhealthy strain as a result of improperly healed bone fractures or an injured cruciate ligament can also contribute to osteoarthritis in dogs. Immunity and genetics are also worth considering.

So if your dog is limping, no longer climbs stairs with ease, or already struggles to stand up, you should consult your veterinarian. X-rays and a clinical exam will allow you to make a reliable diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment.

Hip dysplasia in dogs

Although osteoarthritis can affect the whole body, the symptoms of hip dysplasia (HD) are concentrated in the area between your dog’s pelvis and hips. Hip dysplasia occurs when the socket is not deep enough and the femoral head (which is often too small) is not properly supported.

The joints have an unhealthy hue and painful bone deformities occur. This means that in older animals, for example, improper pelvic positioning can also lead to osteoarthritis. If puppies or young dogs already suffer from symptoms of HD, the condition is often congenital or hereditary.

With rapid growth or rapid weight gain, bone disease is also possible. However, contrary to popular belief, not only large breeds suffer from hip dysplasia, but also small dogs and sometimes even cats (e.g. Maine Coon).

How to recognize hip dysplasia in the early stages of development?

Because of the pain, your dog’s freedom of movement is naturally limited. If you notice that your pet is experiencing pain at a young age, it’s time to take action. What to look out for:

• Plays little.
• Tires quickly
• There’s a lot of lying around.

Already between the fourth and sixth month, the hips of affected animals differ in stability from healthy peers. But the final diagnosis must be made by a veterinarian.

Intervertebral disc herniation in dogs

Herniated discs (prolapsed discs) in dogs are not uncommon either. After all, sometimes all it takes is one sudden movement and any further activity becomes torture. So if your dog won’t let you pat him on the back anymore or suddenly refuses to climb stairs on his own, he may have recently suffered a protruded disc.

In principle, all dogs can suffer from this disease, but so-called “chondrodystrophic” breeds suffer from back problems particularly often. In other words, these are animals for which breeding standards prescribe a long back, short legs and a relatively large head. These include, for example, Dachshunds, Pekingese, Cocker Spaniels, and French Bulldogs. Therefore, the pathological consequences of a slipped disc in dogs are also called “dachshund palsy”.

What is a disc protrusion?

A dog’s spine consists of about 30 intervertebral discs. Ideally, they absorb shock and make the animal truly mobile. The intervertebral discs consist of:

• of the fibrous cartilage ring;
• of the gelatinous core.

If the ring is already porous, all it takes is one clumsy movement – for example, during jogging and jumping – and the gelatinous mass bulges out (protrusion) or even comes out completely (extrusion).

It usually results in painful swelling in the back, circulatory problems, inflammation or paralysis of the front and even the back legs. If the disc tissue presses on the nerves controlling the bladder or sphincter, the prolapse may also manifest as incontinence.

Causes of protrusion: Wear and improper loading

Like osteoarthritis, for example, a slipped disc can also be a sign of wear and tear in older dogs. Excess weight also contributes to this process. In addition, short-legged and long-haired breeds often suffer from it even before reaching old age.

Treatment of bone diseases in dogs

A slipped disc can paralyze a dog for life. In the worst case, when the surrounding nerves are so badly damaged that the dog can no longer empty his bowels and bladder on his own, the only last step is to put him to sleep.

Therefore, you should take your dog to the veterinarian at the first suspicion of bone disease. In addition to osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia or a slipped disc, a vertebral fracture, inflammation (such as panoptitis) or tumor can also cause pain.

During the exam, the veterinarian will palpate your dog in the affected areas or examine the musculoskeletal system and then take an x-ray. If necessary, a CT scan or spinal cord examination with a contrast agent may be necessary.

Medications and physical therapy

Unfortunately, hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis in dogs cannot be cured. However, if the suspicion of these diseases is confirmed, there are a number of measures that can be taken to relieve the dog of at least some of the symptoms. The most common of these is, of course, drug therapy.

If your dog’s movements are not restricted and bladder and bowel functions are intact, medication may be sufficient to relieve the symptoms of a disc protrusion. If your dog’s disc is already bulging or severely worn, special exercises with a physical therapist may prevent further ossification.

Heat therapy

Physiotherapists rely in particular on ultrasound to treat arthritis in humans: the sensor is passed over the painful area in circular motions for several minutes. Tissues are gently moved, and heat penetrates the body. Muscles and joints relax, and the pain subsides.

Warmth in any form is very helpful in treating bone ailments in dogs. Warm mats or blankets on the floor provide pain relief. Electric blankets as dog bed. are also possible, but they can easily overheat and catch fire. They need to be monitored.

Therefore, your dog should never lie unattended on an electric blanket. A red light lamp may help in some cases, such as severe pain in the hip joint. The dog should not be left alone with the lamp because of the risk of fire.

As long as the dog feels comfortable, he can lie in front of the warm lamp at a distance of about one meter. If the dog gets too warm, he will get up on his own. A dog coat is also very useful for dogs with bone ailments and joint problems: it protects damaged bones from the cold and damp. Swimming in warm water also relieves stress on the joints.

Surgery as an alternative?

If all previous treatments have no effect (more) or the symptoms worsen, surgical intervention by a specialized veterinarian may be the last resort. Osteoarthritis and HD can partially be treated with artificial joints. If your dog is already paralyzed or suffers incontinence due to a slipped disc, parts of the discs that press on the affected nerves are mechanically removed during surgery.

However, this procedure means that the dog will be in pain for several months afterwards and may even have to learn to walk again. Since the consequences of this surgery can be long and painful for your pet, you should not take this step lightly.

How do you prevent bone disease?

Since bone diseases in dogs are often caused by wear and tear, they cannot be one hundred percent prevented. However, there are some measures that can reduce the likelihood of symptoms: Every extra pound in a dog puts strain on the joints, especially with infrequent but vigorous exercise. Consequently, a proper and healthy diet plan can already prevent bone disease.

Since muscles play an important role in maintaining the skeleton, regular exercise (in moderation) with your dog is essential. Long walks are sometimes more sensible than vigorous exercise for dogs. Dog sports (agility, jogging, disc-dogging). Especially if your dog is at risk for disc slippage, he should not put too much strain on his spine. So avoid frequent stair climbing or jumping with your dog. Also chest harness Can also relieve pressure on your dog’s cervical spine.

Below we have categorized foods as harmful or toxic. As is often the case, some foods have ambiguous effects, so we’ve listed the hazardous quantities for your dog. Also, pay attention to factors such as size, age, weight and health that may affect your pet’s condition. If you suspect that your dog has eaten something suspicious and in a dangerous amount, you need to keep a close eye on him and contact your veterinarian right away.

Dangerous varieties of fruit

Avocados can be used in salads and guacamole. However, in addition to the healthy essential fatty acids, it contains persin, which is absolutely poisonous to dogs: it is not only found in the core of the fruit, but also in the peel and pulp. Poisoning is usually fatal as it causes heart muscle damage, respiratory failure and dropsy.

Different kinds of grapes and sultanas are bad for our four-legged friends. Excessive consumption usually leads to stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and other negative effects. Sultanas are even more dangerous because they contain higher concentrations of harmful substances. In the worst case, it leads to increased kidney function with subsequent kidney failure and hypercalcemia (excessive amounts of calcium in the blood). The exact “risk dose” is not yet known; it is assumed that about 10 g of fresh grapes per kg of dog body weight is harmful.

The pips of fruits such as cherries, apricots or plums are poisonous. They all contain cyanide, which can be fatal. Symptoms of pitting poisoning include increased salivation, vomiting, malaise and cramps. The following rule also applies here: too much is poison.

Harmful Vegetables

Onions and garlic, which people often use as additives in almost every dish, but they are very harmful to dogs. The toxins destroy red blood cells, which can lead to anemia in dogs and death.

You should not give broccoli. It contains a substance called isothiocyanate, which attacks and damages your dog’s digestive system. The dog’s body cannot cope with it. Keep in mind that this vegetable is only harmful when it makes up a tenth of the total food. Broccoli is very dangerous, you should not risk your dog’s health.

Three popular foods that are bad for pets

Everyone knows today that chocolate and cocoa are bad for dogs. Both contain theobromine, which cannot be broken down or is broken down slowly due to a lack of enzymes. Consequences of eating chocolate in dogs include increased blood pressure with constriction of blood vessels: the cause of death is often cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrest. The lethal dose is about 100 mg of theobromine per 1 kg of the dog’s body weight: so 60 g of milk chocolate or 8 g of dark chocolate (depending on the cocoa content) may already be too much. Never give it to dogs!

Meat is good for dogs: Of course! However, this does not apply to raw pork. It may contain the Aujeszky’s virus (pseudorabies, false rabies, infectious bulbar palsy, pruritic plague), which is absolutely fatal for dogs and cats. Therefore, you should first heat the meat to at least 80°C, this virus cannot survive at high temperatures.

Nuts are also not good for your dog’s body in large quantities because they have a very high phosphorus content. This puts a huge strain on the kidneys, so they should not be fed regularly, too often, or in large quantities. Macadamia nuts should be treated with particular caution: they are poisonous to dogs and should never be eaten by dogs.

Harmful

We should know that alcohol ceases to be beneficial for us when a certain amount is exceeded, in some cases it can even be fatal. The same is true for dogs. Even small amounts of alcohol can lead to vomiting, impaired coordination and, in the worst case, a coma. Dogs suffer the same symptoms as humans, but the dog’s body requires much smaller doses.

Beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea and energy drinks, are also taboo for dogs. They contain methylxanthine, which raises blood pressure and increases heart rate while lowering the neurological threshold in the brain. Similar symptoms occur as when eating chocolate.

Poisons in the home are very common

The nicotine in tobacco is also harmful to your dog. Just 5 to 25 grams of dry tobacco is enough to kill your pet. Symptoms here are also rapid breathing and heartbeat, drooling and movement disorders. That is why you should make sure that your dog never drinks from puddles with cigarette butts in them.

Did your dog twist his ankle? If so, you would take a painkiller yourself to relieve the pain. So why not give your dog a pill? Under no circumstances should you self-medicate, because few substances that help people are also good for dogs. Poisoning from painkillers can occur quickly in a dog. Only a veterinarian should prescribe pain medication.

What you need to know about ticks

Ticks are blood-sucking arachnids; they wait for passing prey in bushes, grass, and shrubs. When the opportunity arises, they fall or cling to an animal and crawl to a suitable spot to suck blood. Feeding on blood, they can transmit dangerous pathogens through their saliva. For example, Lyme disease or early-onset meningoencephalitis (TBE), which makes a tick bite not only painful or unpleasant, but also dangerous.
These pests are especially comfortable in warm and humid environments and are usually particularly active between March and October. However, depending on the species, they can also be active much earlier or longer, depending on the climate zone. Some mite species, such as the common wood mite, become active at temperatures just above freezing. This is why prevention and protection is not only recommended in summer.

Vaccinations against ticks

Yes, there are tick vaccinations for your beloved four-legged friend. However, these generally do not protect against ticks, but only produce antibodies against the infectious disease Lyme disease. In general, there is nothing wrong with vaccination, of course. However, experts do not always recommend vaccination. The reason is that four-legged friends who have already been in contact with the Lyme disease pathogen can get kidney infections if they are subsequently vaccinated. Be very cautious.

Tick control

Every long walk should be accompanied by a thorough examination of the animal. This is boring, but the best prevention against tick bites and related diseases. Ticks usually bite only after a few hours because they need time to get through the fur to the skin, it all depends on the thickness and length of the fur as well as the body part. Therefore, when examining an animal, you should stroke it and examine it carefully; if the coat is long, a comb will help. Most often, when bitten, the pet feels discomfort and begins to scratch, showing the place to the owner. With enough sensitivity and patience, tick control is not only useful, but it is also good for your pet.

Removing mites

What’s really important when removing ticks, whether with tweezers, hooks or other tools, is the importance of pulling the parasite out correctly. This requires a certain amount of skill. The tool should be disinfected and as close to the skin as possible, you need to catch it by the head without crushing the body of the tick. In this case, the tick may not be removed completely.

Another criterion is the pressure on the tick during removal, which must be sufficient to keep the tick from slipping out of the tool. If the compression force is too strong, the compressed tick may release more toxic saliva and inject it into your pet. It is necessary to pull out (slowly with force) by turning the tick counterclockwise.

If part of the tick is lodged in the animal, it is not always dangerous. As a rule, the rest will eventually come out on its own. However, if you notice that an infection has gotten into the affected area, you should see a doctor immediately and not wait for it to heal itself.

Even if you have an aversion to these pests, never try to drown the mite in oil or use glue and nail polish (remover) to kill it on the pet itself. These substances will only stress the mite, causing it to secrete more saliva into the wound, which may contain dangerous pathogens. Your pet may also feel discomfort or even pain. Treat it responsibly!

What to do after a tick removal

When you have removed the tick, disinfect the bite site and breathe a sigh of relief, but it is advisable to keep an eye on the bite site for a while. Especially in risk areas it can happen that the tick has already introduced harmful pathogens into the body while sucking blood. In the case of Lyme disease, for example, redness will appear around the bite site, which will increase over time; the bite site may also become inflamed. If you notice a skin reaction or changes in the animal’s behavior (some TBE virus symptoms resemble the onset of the flu – fatigue, lethargy, apathy, lack of appetite), you should definitely consult a doctor to prevent a possible infection and prevent its progression.

Preparations against ticks

Spot preparations are insecticides that drip between the shoulder blades on the back of four-legged friends and spread on their own across the animal’s skin through the sweat glands. Their purpose is to both repel and remove already attached mites. Most spot preparations are not suitable for puppies and kittens because of the ingredients they contain, so adult animal tolerance should also be considered.

Before using spot preparations, the instructions for use must be followed, as each preparation has a different effect and is tolerated differently; the intervals of application may also vary greatly from one preparation to another: however, following the instructions is absolutely essential, as non-compliance increases the risk of reappearance of mites.

Tick collars

Anti-mite collars, which the pet wears in addition to the “regular” collar, contain insecticides and acaricides. Their active ingredients are released continuously and over a long period of time into the greasy film of the skin and coat and spread over the skin surface. Their active ingredients, as in spot-on preparations, serve to disrupt the nervous system of the mites to induce them to fall away from the host.

Tick collars are also not suitable for very young animals and can cause side effects, so even here you need to pay attention to the recommendations for use.

Herbal remedies for mite control

There are various herbal preparations that can help control mites, such as oils, sprays and lotions with combinations of herbal extracts that are supposed to have a repellent effect on mites and other pests. Check with your veterinarian for preparations.

Another example of natural tick prevention is fresh garlic in pill form. It has now been proven that regular amounts of garlic in the food changes the body odor of a four-legged friend in such a way that it becomes less attractive to mites. Care should be taken with the amount, however, as large amounts of garlic are harmful to dogs.

Risk of overdose and allergies

Protection and prevention with commercially available preparations, as well as herbal remedies, are useful in controlling mites only when used in the correct doses according to the instructions. If the dosage is high, this protection can backfire. Despite all caution, the following should be kept in mind: many of the products used are chemicals that can cause side effects such as red skin, nausea, drowsiness, hair loss and itching. Please use them only in small doses. Dangerous interactions may also occur in combination with other active ingredients.

The following needs to be clarified: Does your pet have any allergies or intolerances caused by anti-tick medications? Your veterinarian can help you decide which medication is best to use with your pet.

Preventing tick bites

Another important point is that you should familiarize yourself with the general prevalence and risk of TBE infection. There are special tick distribution maps that you can buy at pharmacies in your city or find on the Internet. They show where the risk of being bitten and infected is particularly high. If you want to go on vacation in Europe, you can find tick distribution maps for your city on the Internet.