01/20/2025
Good morning everyone! Due to the unwelcomed weather ahead we will be closing the clinic for the projected unsafe driving conditions for our staff tomorrow, 21st of Jan. and possibly Wednesday, the 22nd of Jan. We will post updates once we have the current weather advisory.
Here's some helpful cold weather tips:
*OUR ANIMALS HERE are Floridians just like their owners!
They are not prepared for the temperatures we have coming. We do not have gradual weather transition periods like the northern states do. In proper seasonal changes, it gives them weeks to grow those thick winter coats. The animals here do not have that opportunity and often our temperatures can change 30 degrees or more in a 24 hour period. Do not assume they will be OK.
*Your outdoor pets should have shelter-
Provide them with a DRY, draft-free shelter like a dog house or barn that protects them from the wind and cold. You can also add dry blankets, towels, shavings, or hay to help keep them warm.
*Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather.
Just as the inside of a car left in the summer sun can become unbearably hot in a matter of minutes, a car parked out in the cold can act as a refrigerator in the winter and your companion animal could freeze to death. Shelters & houses can be the same if not properly prepared for them.
*Heat lamps-
Heat lamps are very helpful with the cold temps. Make sure they are out of reach of the animals and any hazards that could potentially cause a fire. You also need to give enough room for the animals near the heat lamps to move away from the heat if they become too hot. Having a warm safe space to come and go is ideal.
*Never blanket a wet animal. Make sure you completely dry them off and then properly cover them with a well fitted blanket to prevent sores or possibly become tangled. Make sure the blanket stays dry. If wet, remove it and allow it to dry before replacing it.
*Provide fresh water and electrolytes-
Waters will be frozen and "licking" the ice is NOT enough to keep your animals hydrated. Make sure you break the ice!
Horses particularly do not drink well or at all when it's cold out. They often need encouragement with electrolytes and even warmed waters. Lack of water and the increased hay intake to help keep them warm can cause them to colic.
*Provide plenty of hay-
Livestock need a constant source of hay to eat to help stay warm. A 1000-pound horse idly needs 16 pounds of GOOD-QAULITY HAY daily when the temperature is 18° F. It's requirement may increase by approximately 2 to 2.5 pounds to 18 to 18.5 pounds if the temperature drops. If your hay is not fresh they are not getting any nutritional value from it and you are not helping your animal.
*Check your car for sleeping cats-
Outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of care to keep warm. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or even killed. To prevent this, bang loudly on the hood to give a sleeping cat a chance to escape.
Thank you for understanding and EVERYONE stay safe and warm!!
