This article appeared in the Jan 7/04 edition of the Coquitlam Now newspaper.
It is not online, but I have an original copy and have typed it out below:
Take Extra Care With Pets
Your two knees may be shaking in this weather, but just think of your four-legged friends.
Dr.Nenad Karli, a veterinarian at VetCetera in Coquitlam, said Monday that cold weather can be dangerous to pets. Small, short-haired dogs are most susceptible to cold, and should only go outdoors for short periods, Karli said.
"Short-haired dogs are prone to hypothermia and freezing" he said, adding long dog ears freeze easily. "Areas like the ears have very poor circulation and they're prone to freezing. That's what you see in dogs up North."
Ice and snow also mean more salt on roads and sidewalks. "The salt that gets onto animal paws ends up in a bad skin irritation," Karli said. "The best thing to do after a walk is take a towel and wipe off the salt." While snow is the most visible danger to pets, ice-often hidden under snow-could cause injuries as well. Not only do dogs lose their footing on slippery surfaces, a piece of ice that chips off could cut a dog's paw or leg. Karli also warned people whose pets hve recently had a litter to be extremely cautious. "Puppies and kittens that are developing need warmth. Keep them in a warm,secluded area-like a closet-and that way puppies and kittens can't crawl away from their mothers."
Comment: the BCSPCA wrote me a letter stating that they spoke with a veterinarian about the dog I reported, living outside in Northern BC, and yet the dog remains outside in her kennel. Could the vet the SPCA spoke with have such a differing opinion about a small breed, short-haired dog living outside 365/24/7 in -30 degree weather, than the vet interviewed in this article? Are they waiting for this dog to freeze to death like the Dalmation in Surrey?