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Winter Needs For Outside Pets
Provide proper shelter, warmth, food, water, and exercise for dogs and cats during the winter months.
by Charla Dawson

While some dog breeds are better equipped to survive the winter outside, all dogs have basic needs to meet in order for them to survive the cold winter months.
With the winter season quickly approaching it is time to think about pets that spend a majority of their time outside.
Dogs are pack animals and should be considered a part of the family. It is my opinion that if the dog is going to spend it's life in the back yard or in a pen or worse yet at the end of a chain, then what is the purpose in owning the dog? That being said, there are always going to be outside dogs and these dogs need special care during the winter months.
Temperature – If the temperature drops below freezing, please bring the animals inside, whether they are cats, dogs, rabbits, whatever. If its below freezing and the animals do not have proper shelter they could freeze to death. (I've seen it and it's not pretty). If the animals are absolutely not allowed in the house then consider setting aside a special place for them to winter in the garage or a barn. If they are in the garage keep in mind that animals are also susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Arctic breeds – Many breeds of dogs can be traced back to the arctic, in some ways these breeds are going to be better equipped to handle the cold weather because they will have a thick undercoat to act as insulation. I can not possibly name all the breeds that can be considered arctic but some include: Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Husky, Alaskan Malamute, American Eskimo Dog, Akita, Finnish Spitz, Norwegian Elkhound, Shiba Inu, Chow Chow, and Black Russian Terrier. Owning an arctic dog does not mean you do not have to provide a warm shelter. These dogs need shelter during the winter too.

Shelter – If you own an arctic breed of dog it will still need a warm shelter to retire to. This shelter should be sturdy, with a floor. The floor should be 1 – 2" off the ground. The cold ground can literally suck the warmth out of your dog's body. By elevating the floor of the shelter and building the walls so that they touch the ground, you leave a pocket of air under the doghouse that can act as insulation. The roof can be peaked and shingled. Size matters,. Your doghouse walls should be 1 ½ times longer then the dog and 1 ½ times taller then the dog, measuring from the ground to the shoulders. If the doghouse is made too big, the air inside will not fully warm and the dog will use a lot of energy trying to stay warm.
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Choosing the Right Dog Breed for You
April 10, 2009 by Omar
What Breed of Dog Should I Buy for My Family
Once you’ve made the ever important decision of becoming a responsible pet owner and are aware of the ongoing care that all puppies and dogs require, it’s time to answer a few questions for help choosing dog breed?
Although it is a personal decision, it is strongly recommended to begin your search for your new best friend at one of the numerous animal shelters and havens located in most areas. Of course, many people have a certain type of purebred dog in mind and intend on breeding them or showing them. However, there’s definitely something to be said about helping to control the pet population and rescuing an animal who needs a loving, safe home.
Likewise, there are many people who opt for adopting older dogs instead of getting a young puppy as they can be easier to train and care for.
Regardless of where or how you obtain your new family member, it is important to consider several things before adopting or falling in love with the first sad-eyed pup you come across.
Think about these six practical questions as you ask yourself - what is the best breed of dog for me and my family:
1. Why are you getting a pet?
Examining the actual reasons why you want to get a pet is an excellent starting place when trying to decide on the right type or breed. Are you looking for protection or companionship? A running or hiking partner? A small, cuddly friend to curl up on the couch, or a big, furry, playful friend? Keep all of these questions in mind before settling for one specific breed.
2. Where do you live, and where will the dog live?
Where you live is another factor to consider when choosing the best type of dog for you. Nearly all pet owners and animal advocates are in agreement that dogs should live inside the home, however if yours absolutely must live outdoors for some reason, be aware that some breeds aren’t able to tolerate extreme temperatures and should have adequate shelter, preferably one that’s completely enclosed, or heated if necessary.

Even dogs that live indoors will need exercise and must be outside each and every day, so if you live in a climate that’s tropical year-round, getting a large dog or one that prefers cold weather would not be a wise choice.
3. How much space do you have, both inside and out?
For most breeds, it isn’t necessary to live somewhere with acres and acres of land, and people who live in apartments or similar dwellings are able to have dogs as long as they have the proper space to move about freely, are taken outside on a frequent basis and given plenty of exercise.
4. Which Dog Breed is Best for My Kids?
The actual reason for this question is probably not what you may be thinking, as most people mistakenly assume that different breeds shouldn’t be allowed near small children, whereas in reality, most any type of dog is capable of making a good pet provided they have the right training and supervision.
The more important issue to focus on is whether or not the dog was raised with children and how it has been trained. Many people wisely decide to wait until their children are a bit older, and also better able to help with their care and training, before they decide on bringing a dog into the home.
The reverse should also be taken into consideration as it’s not unusual for a child that’s too young to understand to torment or bother a dog. Regardless of how well trained or gentle the animal is, they will have their breaking point and may snap at a child, either intentionally or unintentionally, having the potential to cause serious injury.
5. How much exercise can you provide on a regular basis?
Similar to space constraints, consider how much time and energy, you have to devote to giving your dog the amount of exercise they’ll need. While some dogs are indeed more low-key and content to roam around in a smaller yard, others are high-energy and won’t be happy unless they’re able to run and play in a much larger area.
6. How committed will you be to grooming?
There are many breeds of dog that require regular grooming in order to be free from tangles and mats of fur that can actually become painful if left unattended to, let alone unsightly and unsanitary. Some dogs have an undercoat that sheds profusely during certain times of the year and will need cared for with a special brush designed for that type of coat.
In addition to their coat, every single type, breed, and age of dog will need their nails cut and their eyes and ears cleaned regularly.
How to Identify Dog Breeds
Keep in mind that most breeds of dog were created for a special purpose such as hunting, herding, retrieving, or guarding. Very few were developed with the role of “pet” in mind. Certain breeds were bred to do various tasks for a few hundred years or so and have a natural instinct that shouldn’t be suppressed.
Take the time to study the many breeds, learn their traits, how large they are expected to grow, what their usual temperament is, and what the grooming requirements are before welcoming the newest member of the family into your home. Also look at the general personalities of male members of a particular group as they may differ from that of the females.
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 Grooming
Dogs
Regular brushing, bathing, and nail care are essential. Protect your puppy's eyes and ears when bathing, and don't allow the puppy to become chilled after bathing. Your veterinarian may recommend that you do not bathe your puppy when it is younger than 10 to 12 weeks unless absolutely necessary (especially if your puppy is one of the smaller breeds).
Cats
Cats do a good job of grooming themselves, but regular brushing to prevent matting of hair is important. Cats rarely need a bath, but one can be given if necessary. Cats object to bathing in slippery tubs, so give your kitten something to cling to, such as a wood platform or a wire screen. Use a shampoo designed for cats and kittens, as some dog shampoos may be irritating. Place cotton balls in the kitten's ears to keep out water and use an ophthalmic ointment (obtain one that is safe for kittens from your veterinarian) in its eyes to prevent burning from shampoo. Towel dry the kitten completely and gently comb out any mats. Kittens' teeth should be carefully brushed on a regular basis. Your veterinarian can provide you with an appropriate toothbrush, dentifrice, and instruction on how to perform this task so that your kitten learns to accept this as part of its daily care.

 Mealtime
Puppies
Feed a high quality diet designed for puppies. A wide variety of diets and formulations are available and your veterinarian should be your primary source of information as to the best choice for your puppy. The amount fed will vary with the type of food and the individual dog, but in general, should only be as much as the puppy can consume in 5 to 10 minutes at a given meal. Puppies are usually fed 3 times daily when between 6 and 12 weeks old, 2 times daily when 12 weeks to 6 months old, and may be fed 1 or 2 times daily when older than 6 months. For certain large breeds of dogs, your veterinarian may recommend that several smaller meals be fed rather than 1 large meal (even when your dog becomes an adult) because an association has been suggested between the consumption of large meals and a serious medical condition called gastric dilatation/volvulus or "bloat."
Kittens
Feed a high quality diet designed for kittens. Your veterinarian is your best source for information regarding an appropriate diet for your kitten. Dry foods are usually most economical and have the advantage of providing a rough surface that will help reduce plaque and tartar buildup on your kitten's teeth, but canned foods can be fed/supplemented if desired. Amount fed will depend on the diet, as well as the age, size, and activity level of your kitten. Kittens can be fed free-choice or at set mealtimes; however, many veterinarians recommend feeding all pets at set mealtimes because intake can be more easily monitored. Canned foods should always be fed at set times, because if left unrefrigerated, they can spoil. I recommend use of stainless steel bowls because plastic and ceramic bowls can scratch, leaving crevices for bacteria to hide. The latter types of bowls (and resultant resident bacteria) have been associated with feline "acne" and skin irritation.

 Recognizing Illness
Only a healthy pet is a happy companion. Assuring your pet's daily well-being requires regular care and close attention to any hint of ill health. The American Veterinary Medical Association therefore suggests that you consult your veterinarian if your pet shows any of the following signs:
Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes, or other body openings.
Abnormal behavior, sudden viciousness, or lethargy.
Abnormal lumps, limping, or difficulty getting up or lying down.
Loss of appetite, marked weight losses or gains, or excessive water consumption.
Difficult, abnormal, or uncontrolled waste elimination.
Excessive head shaking, scratching, and licking or biting any part of the body.
Dandruff, loss of hair, open sores, or a ragged or dull coat.
Foul breath or excessive tarter deposits on teeth

This Information provided by American Veterinary Medical Association
photo by Aaron Boise © 2009 Boise Marketing
This guy is hanging out on the road in North Brookfield.
He can peck fingers that's for sure!


Anticoagulant Rodenticide Poisoning in Dogs and Cats
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith

Toxin
Anticoagulants (Vitamin K Rodenticides)
Source
First-generation coumarins include D-Con, WARF 42, Rax, Dethmore, Rodex, Tox-Hid, Prolin, Ratron, and others.
Second-generation coumarins include Havoc, Talon, Contrac, Maki, Ratimus, D-Con Mouse Pruf II, brodifacoum, bromadiolone, and others.
Indandiones include diphacinone, chlorophacinone, valone, and pindone, Promar, Diphacin, Ramik, Afnor, Caid, Drat, Quick, Raticide-Caid, Ramucide, Ratomet, Raviac, Pival, PMP, and others.
General Information
These products inhibit the enzymes responsible for recycling of vitamin K, which ultimately reduces production of certain blood clotting factors. There is no effect on circulating clotting factors, so a lag time between poisoning and bleeding problems is seen. The lack of coagulation factors causes the animal to bleed to death because the blood does not clot. First-generation coumarins may be deadly with a larger single dose or smaller doses over multiple days. Clinical signs are usually seen 3-5 days after exposure. Second-generation coumarins and indandiones are toxic with a single dose. Second-generation coumarins are a greater hazard than first-generation coumarins if the dog or cat eats a poisoned rat or mouse. Treatment once symptoms appear is more difficult, expensive, and has a much poorer prognosis than treatment that starts immediately after ingestion.
If a female that is nursing puppies or kittens is poisoned, check the clotting ability of the young as the poison may pass in the milk.
Toxic Dose
First generation: Dogs; 2.25-135 mg per pound once, or 0.5-2.25 mg per pound per day for 5-15 days. Cats; 2.25-13 mg per pound once, or 0.5 mg per pound per day for 5 days.
Second generation: Dogs; 0.11-1.5 mg per pound of Brodifacoums, or 5-6.5 mg per pound of Bromadiolones. Cats; 11 mg per pound of either toxin.
Indandiones: The toxic dose of these varies depending on the specific agent involved.
Signs
History of exposure or possible exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides. Difficulty breathing; lethargy; lack of appetite; blood in the stool, vomit, or urine; nose bleed; bleeding gums; hematomas; bruising of skin, ears, or eyes; pallor; or weakness. The most common cause of death is bleeding into the chest cavity.
Immediate Action
If the pet is seen consuming the product, vomiting should be induced. Take the product package and the pet to the veterinarian immediately to begin further treatment. Treatment with vitamin K1 should be started within 24 hours.
Veterinary Care
General treatment: The induction of vomiting may be continued, gastric lavage is performed, and activated charcoal is administered.
Supportive treatment: IV fluids are given. The blood clotting ability is monitored through laboratory tests before, during, and after treatment. Blood transfusions are given if necessary. The animal is kept quiet and confined to reduce the likelihood of causing bleeding to occur through injury such as bumping into objects and bruising.
Specific treatment: Vitamin K1 is given. The oral form is reported to work better than the injectable form. The treatment is continued for 1-4 weeks depending on the toxin ingested. Vitamin K3 is not an effective treatment.
Prognosis
Good, if treatment begins immediately after ingestion. Guarded prognosis, if treatment is not initiated until after the pet shows symptoms.

Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children and pets.

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