Dropping temperatures prompt concerns for pet health, safety
The need for proper pet health and safety is crucial as Hot Springs’ overnight temperatures continue to be in the 20s and 30s.
Dr. Darrell Riffel of Countryside Animal Hospital said anytime the weather is below freezing people need to be more concerned for their pets.
“It’s even more important in Arkansas than other states. In colder-climate states, pets get acclimated to the cold, the pets here don’t and are more susceptible to the cold weather,” he said.
Riffel said their hospital sees cases of frostbite more often in cats than dogs. “When kittens aren’t properly protected their ears can be affected by frostbite and curl up,” he said.
Like humans, pets’ immune systems are challenged and are likely to be more susceptible to upper respiratory infections or skin irritations. Riffel suggested short-haired pets should have sweaters and in snow or ice pets’ feet should be protected with bootees to prevent irritation.
While certain breeds are bred for colder weather, such as huskies, Riffel said pet owners shouldn’t get their pets groomed close to January. “They need to leave the hair alone so the pet has protection.”
Ensuring coats are not matted and well brushed also help to keep the pet well-insulated.
With a high number of feral cats in the Hot Springs area, stray kittens are a common occurrence at Countryside.
Emily Crutchfield, a certified vet technician, said, “I love my cats and it’s been a group effort at Countryside to help care and foster kittens that come in.”
Crutchfield, who has worked for Countryside for more than five years, said she has adopted three kittens in 2017 and three adult cats that have come through the hospital.
“Whatever language Emily is talking, the cats are listening,” Riffel said.
Guardian Angels Cat Rescue & Adoption, of Hot Springs, is
currently over capacity and unable to accept incoming cats or kittens, but offered recommendations of ways to help stray pets.
A representative of Guardian Angels said that, on Saturdays, “you can sit outside of Petco with your pet that is up for adoption. Check with the other shelters in the Hot Springs area for intake availability.”
The representative emphasized the need to keep pets healthy by keeping shots current, scheduling yearly vet visits and making vet appointments at the first sign of illness.
“Bring (pets) inside. if there is no way to bring them inside prepare a proper warm shelter for them outside. Research proper warm shelters,” the representative said.
Riffel said examples of warm shelters include warm bedding, a well-insulated doghouse, with blankets or hay with the house positioned out of the wind. “Even LED light bulbs are OK for doghouses.”
With the shelter full at Guardian Angels, they suggested using the re-homing link on their website, which is a safe and easy way to re-home a pet at http://www. guardianangelscatshelter.org.