Weather conditions change, and these changes can impact the lives of dogs in a manner on how they respond and express themselves.
In this article, we will focus on the Shiba Inu and on how to keep them warm during the winter season. Let us begin.
A Brief Description of Hypothermia in Dogs
Realistically, in numerous parts of the world, whenever the winter season occurs, an outburst of freezing weather is expected.
Evidently, the cold weather is considered a horrendous nightmare for dog owners, lovers, and enthusiasts, most especially when their beloved pet dog experiences the sad and realistic danger of Hypothermia.
Hypothermia is defined as the abrupt drop of bodily temperature, which occurs both in human beings and animals.
The origin of the word Hypothermia comes from the Greek words “hypo”, which literally means “under”, and “therm”, which literally means “heat”, relatively.
Medically speaking, the condition of Hypothermia affects human beings and dogs, but on a larger scale, it has a wide and detrimental effect on dogs, for two reasons. First, dogs obtain a smaller bodily size than human beings, and second, the bodily temperature of dogs is always higher compared to human beings.
The Causes and Diagnosis of Hypothermia in Dogs
From a wider point of view and discussion, the major cause of Hypothermia in dogs is extreme and overtime exposure to cold, but nonetheless, it can largely affect dogs, even at a normal room temperature wherein they are at a rapid risk of obtaining this medical condition.
Vividly, when dogs are younger and in the state of being under anesthesia, Hypothermia is more inclined to affect smaller dog breeds in a disproportionate manner, for the reason that they get to experience an abrupt loss of body heat all throughout their skin when this medical condition occurs.
In addition, dogs may lead to the diagnosis of having Hypothermia, once he or she has a history of obtaining hypothyroidism and diseases in the hypothalamus, for the reason that this highly sensitive part of the brain is greatly responsible for the regulation and maintenance of the dog’s body temperature.
To continue with, another major cause of Hypothermia is shock, whenever the dog’s gums are affected. This is vivid in dogs through the following discussed situations:
First and foremost, Hypothermia occurs when the dog has been long exposed to the cold weather for a lengthy period of time.
Second, Hypothermia occurs when the dog’s skin and fur are wet by submerging in icy cold water.
Third, whenever the dog is extremely white, pale, and lethargic, these three situations depict that the dog is experiencing Hypothermia, thus veterinary help is much needed in order to address these situations.
Moreover, a vivid diagnosis can be performed by the certified dog owner and lover to its pet dog, whenever he or she experiences Hypothermia.
Furthermore, Hypothermia is characterized in dogs through signs, once excessive shivering is cited on the pet dog concerned, which is followed by excessive lethargy.
Lastly, frostbites that are evident in the dog’s tail, paws, and ears are a sign that the dog experiences Hypothermia, which results in discoloration as manifested in a gray, bluish and pale color, in entirety.
How to Keep the Shiba Inu Warm for the Winter?
Given the thorough discussion on Hypothermia which is a detrimental condition on dogs, its causes, and diagnosis, the third and last part of this article will focus on how to provide warmth to the Shiba Inu, during the winter season, which is the highlight of the article’s entirety.
Below are the eleven effective strategies that are applicable in providing warmth to the Shiba Inu during the entire winter season in some parts of the world, as follows:
1. The Shiba Inu should be wrapped with warm blankets, that are freshly taken from the radiator or dryer, as quickly as possible, whenever it feels cold.
2. The Shiba Inu’s stomach should be placed with a hot water bottle that is wrapped in a towel. The bottle should not be placed on the dog’s stomach when it is unwrapped for the reason that it may burn the Shiba Inu’s stomach in the longer run.
3. The Shiba Inu should be offered warm or lukewarm water and fluids to drink, whenever he or she is conscious and not asleep, in order to provide the dog, an ample amount of hydration in its body, during the cold winter season.
4. The Shiba Inu’s temperature should be constantly monitored by its respective owner, for the reason that its body temperature may manifest critical symptoms on the Shiba Inu due to Hypothermia.
These are the underlying symptoms that represent the Shiba Inu’s temperature which is highly needed to be monitored, as follows:
| Mild: 90 to 99°F (32 to 35°C) | this temperature highly manifests a lack of mental alertness, shivering, and weakness on the part of the Shiba Inu |
| Moderate: 82 to 90°F (28 to 32°C) | this temperature highly manifests low blood pressure, stupor, muscle stiffness, and shallow slow breathing on the Shiba Inu |
| Severe: below 82°F (28°C) | this temperature highly manifests inaudible heartbeat, difficulty in breathing, dilated and fixed pupils which rapidly results in comatose on the part of the dog, in the longer run. |
Thus, it is best for the Shiba Inu dog owner to use a thermometer every 10 minutes, in order to monitor and take note of its temperature during the winter season.
5. The Shiba Inu should be encouraged by its owner to be still, behave and to avoid the performance of excessive moments, for the reason that it can result in the loss of bodily heat, on the part of the Shiba Inu dog.
6. The Shiba Inu should not be exposed in an extreme and long period of time outside the cold weather, during the winter season.
7. The owner of the Shiba Inu should greatly consider his or her Shiba Inu pet dog to wear protective jackets and booties whenever the dog is taken on a frequent and shorter walk.
8. The Shiba Inu owner should practice and manifest utmost caution whenever the Shiba Inu pet dog is medically known to be hypoglycemic, ill, underweight, and in an elderly stage already.
9.The Shiba Inu’s feet should be taken great care of by its owner by wiping it with a warm towel and blanket, and by placing his or her hands on its feet, in order to provide warmth and comfort on the Shiba Inu dog, during the winter season.
10. The Shiba Inu should be given a limited up to an occasional bath during the cold and winter season in order to prevent the occurrence of Hypothermia on the Shiba Inu pet dog’s part.
11. The use of a moisturizing shampoo is advised whenever the Shiba Inu needs to take a bath during the winter season.
Despite the signs and symptoms that Hypothermia brings to the Shiba Inu dog breed and to all types of dog breeds, respectively, which are manifested and characterized through the following:
The dog’s whimpering, the dog’s whining, the dog’s wincing, the dog’s limping, the dog’s motive of trying to find shelter, the dog’s initiative of heading back towards home and most especially with clues wherein it shows that the dog is hurt and is in pain, when walking, these strategies will truly address the primary concern of providing warmth to the Shiba Inu dog, during the entire winter season.
It is the hope of the writer of this article, that the reader will be well-informed and knowledgeable on the effective methodologies on how to keep the Shiba Inu dog warm during the entire winter season, through in-depth background information on Hypothermia on dogs, its causes, signs, symptoms and diagnosis, respectively.
