Protecting Pets from Winter Hazards: Tips for Veterinary Teams
As the cold weather settles in (in most areas), veterinary teams prepare for an uptick in seasonal hazards that can pose significant risks to the pets we know and love.
While many pet parents understand the basics of keeping their pets warm and dry, they may overlook some of the threats unique to the colder months.
As experienced veterinary teams, we play a critical role in educating clients and ensuring readiness to handle the risks often accompanying this time of year.
Preparing Veterinary Teams for Cold Weather Caseloads
Cold weather brings a range of risks—hypothermia, frostbite, and toxic exposures—that can escalate quickly if not identified and treated.
A well-prepared team with clear protocols and adequate supplies is more confident in handling emergency situations when they arise.
Proactively preparing for special cases like these ensures your team can provide timely and effective care, reducing the risk of severe complications.
Here are a few ideas to consider to make sure your practice is ready:
Staff Training: Consider refresher courses on winter-specific emergencies like hypothermia, frostbite, and poisoning.
Emergency Drills: Run mock scenarios to ensure the team is comfortable and confident handling seasonal emergencies.
Inventory Check: Regularly review and replenish supplies, such as warming equipment, antidotes, and topical treatments.
Let’s explore some common cold-weather hazards for pets and some strategies to ensure you and your team are prepared to take them on.
1. Antifreeze Poisoning
Ethylene glycol, the toxic ingredient in most antifreeze, remains one of the most dangerous winter hazards. Even a tiny amount can lead to acute kidney failure and death if not treated promptly.
Unfortunately, its sweet taste makes it appealing to pets, increasing the risk of accidental ingestion.
To best prepare, please ensure your practice is stocked with essential antidotes and that your team is familiar with rapid diagnosis and treatment protocols.
It’s also helpful to have client education materials, emphasizing the importance of immediately cleaning up spills and using pet-safe antifreeze alternatives.
2. Rock Salt and Chemical Ice Melts
While rock salt and chemical ice melt keep sidewalks and driveways safe for us, they’re a known cause of irritation and chemical burns on pets’ paws.
Ingestion from licking paws or eating contaminated snow can lead to gastrointestinal upset or, in severe cases, even salt toxicity.
Review how to recognize and treat paw pad irritation and chemical burns with your staff, recommend protective booties to clients, or suggest rinsing paws after outdoor walks.
3. Hypothermia and Frostbite
Even breeds with thick coats aren’t immune to the effects of prolonged exposure to extreme cold.
Hypothermia can set in quickly, especially in smaller or short-coated breeds, leading to a cascade of life-threatening effects. Frostbite typically affects extremities, such as ears, tails, and paws, where circulation isa little more limited.
Make sure your team is evident on the protocol for managing hypothermia, including warming techniques and monitoring critical patients and keep necessary equipment (such as warm IV fluids, heating pads, and thermal blankets) on hand.
Now is a good time of year to educate clients on the signs of hypothermia and how to prevent it, especially for pets left outside for extended periods.
4. Rodenticide Exposure
It is not the most common risk that comes to mind when we think about wintertime, but rodenticides often have increased use during colder months since rodents tend to swarm indoors – seeking shelter, warmth, and snacks.
It’s not uncommon for pets to accidentally ingest these toxic substances, leading to severe complications like internal bleeding or neurologic symptoms.
Is your team equipped to identify the symptoms of rodenticide toxicity?
Be sure your staff knows treatment protocols, including the use of activated charcoal, and stock necessary supplies.
5. Thin Ice and Water Hazards
Lakes, ponds, and rivers that appear frozen may not necessarily be solid enough to support a pet’s weight.
Pets that fall through thin ice risk rapid onset hypothermia or, worse, drowning.
Help prepare your team to handle near-drowning cases by reviewing CPR and hypothermia treatment protocols.
Client Communication: Proactive Outreach Matters
Preparedness isn’t just about emergency response—it’s also about prevention.
Educating clients on winter safety helps reduce the incidence of preventable injuries and illnesses, leading to fewer urgent cases.
Together, we can help to prevent seasonal mishaps through discussions and proactive outreach.
Are you looking to expand outreach to your community? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Seasonal Newsletters: Send an email, postcard, or printed newsletter with tips on cold-weather safety.
Social Media Campaigns: Arguably the best form of outreach because it’s free and easy to do regularly. Use your clinic’s social media platforms to share winter safety tips, such as preventing paw pad irritation or signs of antifreeze poisoning.
In-Clinic Posters and Brochures: Display informational photos, graphics, and tips in your practice as gentle reminders of the risks of cold weather and accident prevention.
A Season for Compassionate Care
Winter can be a challenging season for some pets, but by teaming up with our clients and staff, we can help limit some common, preventable risks.
By proactively educating clients, staying stocked on essential supplies, and training staff, your practice will become a trusted ally in keeping pets safe during the colder months.
After all, keeping pets safe and healthy—in every season—is at the heart of what we do.
