With an extreme cold warning in effect, your pets may be at risk of frost bite and other health problems if left outside for an extended period of time.

Temperatures have slipped well past -35 with the windchill the last couple days. It only takes 10 to 30 minutes of being exposed to extreme cold for your dog to start developing mild or severe frostbite.

Christina Holland, local Medical Veterinary Assistant, says there are some really easy ways for you and your dog to get through the cold streak with your sanity intact.

"Go to businesses that let dogs in like Bass Pro Shop, so your dog can walk around and smell everything. Inside the house, however, mind games are the things you want to do, such as puzzles and learning new tricks, things like that".

Even if you do this with your dog, there will be times they have to be outside. It's very important to limit your dog's exposure to the cold air and if possible, dress them properly.

"Make sure their feet are well covered, make sure ice doesn't get between their feet and you clean their feet when you get home. You can go to all your regular places, it's just going to be for way shorter durations".

Holland says that residents of Airdrie are very responsible and take care of their pets during extreme weather events, but some times incidents do happen. 

"People are a lot more aware with what is going on and pets are not just left outside in a dog kennel. Honestly, the majority of cold related injuries we see are the really thin haired dogs and mostly to the tips of their ears or the big hair dogs that get ice balls stuck to their fur or the occasional cat that is accidentally left outside and gets frostbite".

If you suspect your dog has frostbite it's important to take your pet to a veterinary clinic immediately to insure its health and safety.

 

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