What is Hypothermia?
Like humans, dogs can develop hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when a dog’s core body temperature falls below 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). It can be deadly if left untreated, so it's vital that you recognize the warning signs of hypothermia and act quickly to protect your dog.
Small, skinny, very young, or elderly dogs are the most at risk. And while any breed can fall victim to hypothermia, toy breeds and dogs with a short coat are more susceptible. Dogs with a pre-existing condition of low blood sugar or hypothyroidism are also considered to be more at risk.
Keep reading to find out all about the symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of hypothermia in dogs.
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Symptoms of Hypothermia in Dogs
Hypothermia occurs when a dog's temperature drops to abnormally low levels. The resulting symptoms can include:
- Shivering (sometimes violent)
- Shallow breathing
- Weakness
- Low blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Coma
- Muscle stiffness
- Blank stare
- Pale or blue gums
- Listlessness
- Feeling cold to touch, especially the ears and paws
Types
- Mild. Mild hypothermia occurs when a dog has a body temperature of 90–99 degrees Fahrenheit. Mild cases can often be treated by bringing your pet into a warm environment and gradually raising their body temperature with warm blankets. Contact your vet to find out the best course of action.
- Moderate. Moderate hypothermia occurs when your pet has a body temperature of 82–90 degrees Fahrenheit. Seek veterinary attention to ensure that your dog gets the best possible care.
- Severe. In severe cases, when your dog's body temperature falls below 82 degrees Fahrenheit, they need immediate veterinary care as this is a life-threatening situation.
Causes of Hypothermia in Dogs
Hypothermia can happen anytime your dog is exposed to cold, especially extreme, temperatures for an extended period of time. Dogs that live entirely outdoors are particularly at risk, especially if they do not have adequate shelter or are not protected from the elements when the weather turns cold.
But indoor dogs can also develop hypothermia. Make sure you take caution when exercising your dog in the winter, limiting their exposure to extremely cold conditions. You may want to try some indoor games and activities instead of braving the elements for a walk.
It's also essential that you bring them out of the elements and ensure that they warm up after venturing out into the cold. The same goes if your dog gets wet in cold conditions — dry them thoroughly and warm them up to prevent hypothermia setting in.
There are a few other factors that can make dogs more susceptible to developing hypothermia. Dogs at a higher risk of this serious health problem include:
- Puppies
- Senior dogs
- Small breeds
- Dogs with short coats
- Dogs with matted coats that allow wind and cold to get to the dog’s skin
Diagnosis of Hypothermia in Dogs
Your vet can diagnose hypothermia by checking your dog's temperature. They will also look for clinical signs of hypothermia such as shivering or shallow breathing.
Make sure you tell your vet about any information relevant to your dog's condition. Tell them if your dog has been exposed to cold conditions, for how long, and when they first started showing symptoms.
Your vet may also ask about recent illnesses, current medications, and recent changes in their diet or behavior.
Treatment of Hypothermia in Dogs
If you think your pet may be suffering from hypothermia, seek veterinary attention straight away. While it may be possible to treat mild cases at home, severe cases can be fatal if left untreated and require professional veterinary care.
Just like with humans, the treatment of hypothermia in dogs involves warming the body slowly. Here's what you can do to help your dog.
Bring them inside
Do not attempt to treat your dog for hypothermia outside. Bring the dog indoors into a warm environment and wrap them in a warm blanket or towel, then contact your veterinarian for advice.
Ways to warm your dog
You may put a heating pad, warmed bottle, or rice bag near your pet for warmth. Wrap anything you place next to your dog in a towel to avoid burning.
A hair dryer can be helpful if the dog is also wet. Be sure to turn it down to the lowest setting, or better yet, use a dryer specified for dogs that has a no-heat setting. It's vital to prevent burns as you try to warm them.
You can also offer your dog lukewarm water to drink to help raise their body temperature.
Treatment of severe cases of hypothermia
Do not delay seeking treatment for your pet if they are listless or unresponsive. Immediate care is needed.
Severe cases of hypothermia will require a visit to an emergency veterinary clinic for monitoring, oxygen, supportive therapy (including heating pads and blankets), warmed IV fluids and a warmed enema. These steps are designed to warm your dog's core temperature back up.
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Recovery of Hypothermia in Dogs
Recovery from hypothermia depends on the severity of the case. While the experience can be traumatizing for dogs and humans alike, most dogs recover well.
Preventative measures can also go a long way toward ensuring your dog never suffers hypothermia again. If hiking with your dog in winter, for example, be sure to give them booties for foot protection as well as a doggy sweater or coat. Limit your dog's exposure to extreme cold, and be sure to dry and warm them thoroughly if they happen to get wet in the chilly winter months.
If you have a working dog that lives primarily outside, be sure to observe weather predictions and make preparations for your dog ahead of storms or extreme cold. Provide shelter and protection from the elements to help keep them healthy, and consider heated pet beds to help keep cold conditions at bay. Finally, make sure any working dog has a well-groomed coat to keep them warm when faced with inclement weather.
With these simple steps, you can greatly reduce your fur-baby's risk of hypothermia.
Hypothermia Average Cost
From 247 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
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Top
Hypothermia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Labrador Retriever
Corona
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
My dog is 50 pounds and 1 year old. She fell through the ice in the pool and struggled for at least 10 minutes before we were able to get her out. It has been around 30 degrees outside recently. Currently she seems lethargic, cries when we touch her chest, is very weak, and is limping lightly. She is also panting very heavily.
March 6, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Corona needs to be taken to see a veterinarian immediately. Extreme cold can cause changes in the body that may need treatment. If she inhaled any water, she needs medical attention. I hope that she is okay.
March 6, 2018
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Cairn Terrier
Mercy
12 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Eating Or Drinking. Lethargic,
My cairn terrier fell in our pool and for some reason could not get out (she has always gotten out before when we put her In during the summer. The water temperature is about 55degrees F and she could have been in there 30 minutes or more. I got her out, wrapped her in a warm towel and my jacket and held her until she stopped shivering which was about 1 1[2 hours. She is not a lap dog but she stayed in my lap all that time without trying to get down. I took her out to urinate and brought her right back inside. I need to know what to expect as she recuperates. She is 12, has bladder cancer and weighs 18lbs.
Feb. 26, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. One problem that might happen with that kind of exposure is if Mercy breathed in any water during this traumatic event. As she warms, keep an eye on her for any lethargy, inappetance, breathing problems, or bruising, and if she shows any of those signs, she should see her veterinarian.
Feb. 27, 2018
Thank you for your advice. As it turned out her breathing did seem labored and she was very lethargic. I took her to her vet and they checked her out and other than HBP she appeared ok. I do need to take her back in 2 days for xrays to make sure she doesn't have anything going on in her lungs or stomach.
Thanks again and I will be sure to recommend your services to others. You really relieved this pet mamas mind!
Feb. 27, 2018
Mercy's Owner
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Medium puddle
Puff
8 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shivering
Low Body Temperature
Running Nose
Motion Problems
We went with our dog for a walk in the snow, we had been outside for about an hour (he was wearing a jacket). When we arrived home we warmed the dog in blankets, because he was obviously cold, but not shivering. Later in the day, we took him out just for a few minutes, and when we got back in the house we observed that he couldn’t walk good with the back legs. We went to the vet, but she just said that he has a mild redness in one paw and we should just apply ointment. We did that, we also bought some coconut oil and we keep the back legs hidrated. He eats, drinks water (especially warm water), but the problem now is that always after we come back from outside (no more that 3-5 minutes, there is no more snow, but temperatures under 2 degrees Celsius) he is shivering and has an obvious drop of temperature (we don’t have a thermometer, so I don’t know the exact temperature). We warm him with blankets and a bottle of warm water and in about 10-15 minutes he is back to normal temperature. He is still not able to walk so good. What should we do? Why is that always happening? Should we not take him out anymore? Thank you!
Dec. 15, 2017
1 Recommendations
I doubt that a quick walk outside would cause a drop in body temperature which would lead to these symptoms, but the cold may be having a different effect; I am not sure that may be happening here but you should just take out Puff long enough to do his business then bring him straight back in. You should visit your Veterinarian in case there is an injury which may be affected by the cold. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 15, 2017
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Pit bull
onyx
3
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shaking
Weakness
Heavy Breathing
Limited Movment
I think my dogs have hypothermia they are shaking violently, breathing heavily, and have trouble standing. I gave them water, and food they ate and drank water, I gave them plenty of warmth, such as: Blankets, heated towels, warm food, warm water, put them in a warm room, and stayed close to give my body heat. any advice?
Dec. 9, 2017
0 Recommendations
Unless your home is cold, there may be another reason for the symptoms; if your home is very cold due to outside temperature and no heating then shivering may occur. However, if they are both shaking and the temperature is comfortable, then there may be a different cause all together which may include infections, poisoning or another cause. Keep an eye on them and ensure they stay hydrated (don’t make the water warm as it may discourage drinking) and if there is no improvement visit your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 9, 2017
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Hypothermia Average Cost
From 247 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$2,200
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