Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to the cold resulting in a drop in body temperature. Because a wet coat loses its insulating properties, a potential complication in all dogs submerged in cold water is hypothermia. Those dogs most susceptible to hypothermia include:

• Toy breeds
• Breeds with short coats
• Puppies
• Older Dogs
• After prolonged exposure to anesthetics during surgery
• Newborn puppies that get chilled because of inadequately heated birthing quarters

Signs of hypothermia are violent shivering followed by listlessness, a rectal temperature of below 95 degrees, weak pulse, lethargy, and coma. Dogs can withstand prolonged periods of cardiac arrest, because the lowered body temperature also lowers their metabolic rate. CPR may be successful in such dogs. For information on how to perform CPR on dogs click here.

Treatment:
Wrap the dog in a warm blanket or coat and carry it into a warm building. If the dog's coat is wet, dry him vigorously with towels. Do not use a hair dryer to dry the hair or warm the dog up as it could cause burns. After drying the dog, wrap another warm blanket around him and take his rectal temperature.

• If the temperature is above 95 degrees, continue the warm blankets and encourage the dog to take a sugar solution, such as honey or 4 teaspoons of sugar in a pint of water.
• If the dog's temperature is below 95 degrees, contact your vet . While waiting for instructions, begin warming your pet rapidly by applying warm water bottles to the dog's armpits and chest then wrap the dog in a blanket. The bottles should only be warm, not hot. Take the temperature every 10 minutes. Replace the warming packs until the rectal temperature reaches 100 degrees.

Warming a Chilled Puppy:
The best way to warm a chilled puppy is to place him/her next to your skin underneath a sweater or jacket and let your own warmth seep into the puppy. If the puppy's rectal temperature is below 94 degrees, warming will take 2 to 3 hours.

Chilled puppies usually have low blood sugar levels and are dehydrated. You can correct mild to moderate dehydration by giving a warmed glucose-electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte. Give 1 cc per ounce of body weight every hour by eye dropper or baby nurser. Warm the puppy slowly until the puppy is wiggling about. Severe dehydration needs to be treated by your vet.

Never allow a chilled puppy to nurse or take formula, because their stomach and small intestines will not digest and absorb milk. The puppy will bloat and possible vomit.

This was an excerpt from the book, "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook"  3rd Edition by James M. Giffin MD & Liisa D. Carlson, DVM.