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Bernese
Health & Safety
We at BEHAF know that our Berners are an important part of our lives. It is our hope that this page will offer some tips and suggestions to benefit our fine furry friends and keep them safe & in the best health possible.
Click here for Winter Tips
Health Topics: What is "Intussusception"??
Click here for Health & Safety-related Links
(Please keep in mind that any advice or suggestions presented here should NOT take the place of proper and/or necessary veterinarian care. Please, always consult your vet with any medical questions.)
WINTER TIPS:
Don't Be Caught In The Snow With These Winter Woes
Just as with people, some dogs live for a romp in the snow, while others are
happier never touching the icy stuff. However, whether you have a Bernese
Mtn Dog or a hairless Chinese Crested, your dog depends on you to keep it
healthy and safe.
Dogs may suffer frostbite, hypothermia or a compromised immune system if
subjected to excessive cold weather, so take heed when the mercury plummets
and protect your pet with the following 20 tips:
The Outdoor Dog:
Get acclimated: If you know your dog is going to live outside, you need to
acclimate it. If you bring home a new dog during the winter and plan to keep
it outside, take it for walks outside for a few days, then letting it stay in the
garage before putting it outside full time. Even then, be sure your dog has
adequate shelter from the cold and wind at all times.
Provide shelter from the storm: Outside dogs in cold climates require reliable
shelter. Insulated doghouses with loose bedding are best. Straw works well
because it has a lot of air space and traps the heat. Also, you don't want such
a big house that 10 dogs could fit in there, body heat will keep a dog warmer
in a smaller space.
Provide a "no-wind zone": Dogs coats are built to keep them warm, the hair
Is a great insulator, but if the wind blows the hair away from the dog's body, it
will blow away the heat, too. Your dog needs a place where it can get out of the wind, especially when wind
chill factors dip below freezing, installing a canvas flap over the doghouse door helps.
Don't overestimate your cold-hardy dog: Just because your dog is built for
the cold and loves the snow doesn't mean it is immune to winter's dangers. A good rule of thumb is, no dog should be outside when it gets below 20degrees.
Water, water, everywhere?: Dogs can become dehydrated in the wintertime,
and a bowl of water can freeze in under an hour in sub-zero temperatures.
Some folks assume dogs can eat snow and lick ice in the winter for water, but
they won't get enough that way. Purchase a heated water bowl, or change the water several times a day. If
you work all day make arrangements for someone to change the water at least once while you are gone or come home for lunch.
Check those paws!: Rock salt used to melt snow on driveways and roads is
an irritant to a dog's footpads and so is the ice itself. When the warmth of the
dog's body hits the snow, the snow melts, then crystallizes on the dog's feet
so, check those paws, especially after a walk. Rinse off any salt or ice, then dry thoroughly.
Watch for frostbite: Frostbite, also known as cold injury, is the freezing of body
tissue. Frostbite can be seen more on the thinner areas of the body like the ear flaps, tail and between the footpads. A frostbitten area may appear dark or black because blood can't reach the frozen area, so the tissue dies. If you suspect your dog has frostbite, take it immediately to a Veterinarian.
Hypothermia: Any profound decrease in body temperature qualifies as hypothermia. Signs include diminished consciousness, slow or infrequent respiration, dilated pupils, delayed reflexes, shivering and, eventually, a pale
or blue cast to the skin and gums. Hypothermia can be mild to moderate or
severe. When severe, a dog can go into shock and its heart can be affected.
If you suspect hypothermia, gently warm your dog with blankets and hot water
bottles or warm water in 2-liter bottles and call your Veterinarian.
Purchase a few luxuries! The market has a variety of heated dog houses or heated dog beds is available to keep your outdoor dog cozy in the cold.
Let 'em in! If your dog's accommodations aren't equipped with the latest
technology, or even if they are, consider letting your dog inside when the
temperature or wind chill drops below 20 degrees. The biggest danger of
having an outdoor dog is that you may forget about your pet. So, remember
that an outdoor dog is a family member, too, needing and deserving as much
attention, care and love as a pampered indoor dog.
The Indoor Dog:
Bundle Up! Even an indoor dog will occasionally have to venture out in winter. Keep your dog warm with a sweater, jacket or even dog boots to protect delicate feet.
Clear the way! Many dog's pet peeve is trying to relieve itself outside when
all its favorite surfaces are buried in the snow. Shovel off a 10 foot patch on the
lawn helps to get dogs in there favorite spot and they don't have to wade through the snow.
Good dog!± Some folks paper-train their dogs when they live in conditions that are just to cold to venture in.
Drafts: Watch drafts, even inside a house. Winter winds can sometimes penetrate through cracks in windows or doors left ajar.
Prepare for outings Place booties on your dogs paws, throw on a sweater
or jacket made for small pets and even large sizes for our beloved Berners.
Keep the heat on Many people turn their heat down or off when they leave
for work during the day to save on energy bills. If you have indoor pets, you'll
want to keep the heat at a reasonable level. Your dog is worth the few extra pennies on your heating bill.
But don't overheat! Your indoor dogs need to be warm but not overly so.
Dogs can easily be burned by heating appliances or fire sparks. Also, make
Sure all appliance cords are securely out of reach. A dog could knock over a
Space heater and cause a fire or chew through a cord and suffer electrocution. Again, keep the heat at a reasonable level.
Keep 'em dry! Although being wet and cold won't, in itself, make your dog
sick, it can suppress your dog's immune system, making it more susceptible to
whatever viruses may be around. You probably won't need to bathe your dog as frequently in the winter if you
live in a cold climate, but if you do bathe your dog, towel-dry thoroughly or use
a dryer made for pets, if you use a blow dryer make sure to use it on low setting.
Never take your dog outside if it is still even slightly damp.
Maintain good grooming Even if you bathe your dog less frequently, continue
to keep it's coat in good condition. A well groomed coat provides better insulation indoor and out.
Be willing to bend the rules Berners tend to take certain liberties during the
winter not allowed during the rest of the year. They'll sneak under the afghan on the couch, even if they're not supposed to.
At the very least, provide your dog with something to snuggle in on the floor, such as a big pillow or lots of warm blankets.
Winter can be a challenge for outdoor and indoor dogs alike, but the conscientious canine companion can help to make it a fun, comfortable and safe season for all.
For these wonderful tips BEHAF thanks:
Peg McQueary, Reg. Veterinary Technician
Thundering Pines Bernese
Shingle Springs, Calif…
with many thanks To Melissa Zebley D.V.M. for her contributions.
Intussusception Warning: Rag toys can be dangerous!
We thank Robin Camken of Winnipeg, MB, Canada for the following story:
Whenever I see a recommendation to give a dog a rag/towel/sock as a toy,
I feel compelled to repeat this story.
I nearly lost my Beaumont at six months old because I allowed him to
play with the wrong toy. Beaumont and my Rotty liked to play tug-o-war
with an old towel. I thought it was cute seeing the big dog and the puppy playing
happily together.
The next day, Beaumont started to look uncomfortable, didn't want to go for a
walk, began throwing up his food, and eventually was not even able to keep water
down. I was very concerned and took him to the the emergency clinic
that evening. He was waving his tail and looking quite happy when we went in to
see the Vet (typical berner). She palpated him, checked his gums, took his
temperature (it was normal), and sent me home with Pepto Bismo because she
thought he only had an upset stomach. He couldn't keep water down, what was I
suppose to do with Pepto Bismo? When I tried to give it to him, I ended up with
pink stuff sprayed all over the wall.
I took him to my own Vet first thing the next morning; x-rays were taken, nothing
showed up. A blockage was finally diagnosed using a barium x-ray. Surgery was
performed that afternoon. He had swallowed part of a towel. This strip of towel
was shredded and as it moved from the stomach into the intestine, it cause the
intestine to telescope back on itself (technical term: intussusception). It is like
pulling a string to close a sac, the material around the string bunches up.
Because of the delay getting the correct diagnosis, the towel had begun to
tear into the intestine causing parts to begin to die. He lost a foot and a half of
bowel as a result and was given 50% chance of recovering. He was kept in
hospital for three days after surgery on IV and anti-biotics. Fortunately, he
recovered very quickly following the surgery and has never had any trouble since that
time (he turned eight years old in August 98).
Since my experience with Beaumont and the towel, I have heard of several cases
where Bernese (ranging in age from 6 months-3 years) have had surgery for
intussusception cause by swallowing various articles. Socks seems to be a the most
common.
I would be very cautious allowing a puppy to play with anything that was made
from material that can be shredder or swallowed whole.
Health & Safety Links:
Robin Camkin's Page of Health Information Links - EXCELLENT, thorough page of links dealing with all sorts of Bernese health concerns.
Pat Long's Berner1 Health Site - Another MARVELOUS site with lots of links to Berner Health subjects
BMDCA Bernese Health survey
BMDCA Health Committee's Glossary of Veterinary Terms Ever wonder what those words mean? You'll find out here!
Berner-Garde Foundation Home Page
LabMed Poison Links - A touching story about Davey, the Lab puppy, who swallowed a brown recluse spider. Lots of links to all things poison/toxin related.
Plants Toxic to Animals - Keep this site bookmarked!
GDC - Genetic Disease Control
PennHip
O.F.A.
C.E.R.F.
"TO LOVE ONE BERNER IS TO LOVE THEM ALL!"
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