Help clients save pets from the cold

With winter comes a swift temperature change for parts of the United States. Dr. Jack Stephens, president of Pets Best Insurance, says his pet insurance company’s insured animals run into a trio of preventable cold-weather problems. You know all this—but do your clients?

Frostbite

Remind clients that all dogs are susceptible to frostbite, but it’s more common among dogs that aren’t used to being outdoors, says Dr. Stephens.

“It starts out as a blemish and turns to a blister and turns black when there is severe tissue damage,” he says. “When it turns black, that area will slough off and be subject to secondary infection. The dog can lose a toe if subjected to prolonged exposure.” Tell clients to look out for those signs as well as limping and excessive licking of feet.

Ice melt burns

Ice melts can be sickening to dogs that consume them and can also burn their paws. Dr. Stephens says to tell clients to be on the lookout for limping, excessive licking of feet and redness to skin areas between pads.

Dehydration

Remind your clients to change water often if they have outdoor pets. Water bowls can freeze easily when the temperature drops, keeping pets from a fresh water supply. “We’ve seen dogs with chronic kidney failure that are stable go into acute kidney failure due to lack of water—causing emergency hospitalization,” he says.

You can help keep pets safe this winter by sharing tips like these with clients on social media, in newsletters and e-newsletters and in the exam room.