What To Do If Your Cat Suffers From Hypothermia And/or Frostbite

Your cat may have a furry coat, but cold weather can still be extremely dangerous. How do you feel being out on a cold day…even with your winter coat, boots, hat, scarf, mittens, you still feel the cold. Cats are the same way!!! If you leave your pet exposed to the cold for an extended period, he/she may show signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Yes, cats can and do suffer from frostbite and hypothermia if they have been out too long. They may have a thick fur coat, but their paws, nose, ears and other parts are unprotected.

If you believe your cat has frostbite, there are a couple of things that you can do:
• Warm him/her by holding her close to your body to absorb your body
heat;
• Place him/her close to a source of heat (If you have a fireplace ensure
there is a screen in front of it or any open source of fire);
• Wrap him/her in a warm towel or blanket;
• If you can visibly see where you cat had mild frostbite, you can put your
hand on the area to warm it and help restore circulation. (Never rub the
spot briskly, as this will cause tissue damage; and
• For severe frostbite, bring your cat to your vet or an emergency clinic
immediately.

If you normally allow your cat outdoors, remember that he/she needs to be brought inside more swiftly during the winter. This is particularly crucial for smaller cats, short haired cats, or cats recovering from an illness. In addition, never let your cat outside if he/she is wet! If you bathe your cat or your cat otherwise gets wet, dry him or her immediately, even if you are indoors. Ensure your cat cannot get outside, cats are quick and can easily sneak out the door when you open it. By the time, you realize that he/she is missing it could be too late.

Therefore, it is imperative to warm up your pet. However, if you attempt to warm your pet too quickly, you could make the damage even worse. Never dunk your pet in warm water! Instead, warm your cat slowly. You can do so by, bringing your cat into a warm room and wrap him/her in warm blankets. (You can even throw a towel in the dryer for a few seconds.) Other alternatives are to use warm water bottles wrapped in a washcloth, or a hairdryer on a low setting, but don’t let it get too close to your cat. (If your cat is scared of the hairdryer, don’t try this, you don’t want to traumatize your cat.) Once your cat starts to warm up, a warm bath could be very helpful, but NOT if you plan to take him/her to the vet.

Remember, calling your vet is always your best option. No matter how caring you are to your pet, they still sometimes get outside accidentally. If your cat shows symptoms of being too cold, you can use these warming techniques to save your pet’s life! However, you should still call your vet, he/she will be able to get you on the right path in assisting in your cat’s recovery

By: Cilantro and Tarragon

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Princess Cilantro and Terrific Tarragon Cat Tales by Cilantro and Tarragon Inc. www.cattalesbycilantroandtarragon.com Launching February 1, 2009