RIDGEBACKS & WINTER

DOG COAT

Since Ridgebacks have no undercoat, they literally freeze, especially if they are not active outdoors.
So yes, it would be a good to buy a coat for your dogs to protect them from the cold.

More about this theme you may find under our blog
YES! WE NEED WINTER COATS!

CHECK THE PAWS AND RINSE THEM WITH WATER AFTER A WALK

During the winter, many roads, sidewalks and paths are sprinkled with salt to prevent the ground from freezing and this is a danger four our dog paws.
If you notice your dog’s paw pads are red, swollen or irritated, or your pup starts limping and even refuses to walk outside during winter, they may be experiencing the negative physical effects of rock salt.
One of the worst things you can do if you notice your dog in discomfort is continue to let them walk on the melting product. If your dog’s paw pads are already cracked and broken, the pain will be intensified by walking on more salt and literally rubbing salt in the wounds.
We recommend to wash and rinse their paws after your walk!

DO NOT PUT ANY BALM ON THE PAW PADS FOR PROTECTION! 
BALM IS NEEDED ONLY IF THE PADS ARE HURT, SO THEY CAN HEAL BETTER!
There are all kinds of smart and extremely stupid tips on the internet, including the one to put balm on paw pads in the winter, which makes no sense at all.
For dogs  the pads are like shoe soles, and if we soften them by balming them, they will be less resistant to the ground surface. 
Balm is an option only as healing balm if the paws are already cracked, swollen or irritated.

KEEP YOUR DOG OUT OF COLD CARS

For dogs, cold cars can be just as dangerous as hot cars, for the same reason: the car traps air inside, acting like a refrigerator.
​Never leave your dog unattended in a car in extreme temperatures, even for short periods.

EAR TIP INJURY

Almost every Ridgie had this injury in a lifetime

It happens more often in winter because ears are cold, but winter is not only cause for this injury.  
 It can also be playing with another dog or striking their ear tip on a hard object while shaking their head or the like but most of these injuries happen during the winter.

The ear tip is a vulnerable piece of skin that can be damaged easily and once damaged, bleeds readily (and sometimes profusely) and is slow to heal.

Bebe with the bandage on the top of the ear

Treatment varies depending on if the skin has been torn, cut, punctured or if the tip has just generally eroded (sometimes called an ulcer).
If you notice a sore on the tip of the ear, you must immediately start treatment so that it does not get bigger, because every time the dog shakes its head, the scab will burst, the iho will bleed again and the wound will deepen and this can be neverending and can last for months with possible erosion of the top of the ear.
It is important to apply the bandage for as long as the dog will leave it on, then replace as soon as the tape appears to be loosening/peeling away from the skin.
Total treatment time is often 3-to-6-weeks, then several more months of daily vitamin E oil and lanolin, Melem cream, Elisabeth Arden -  8 hour cream or any other cream with similar texture to help support the new, healthy tissue.

Bebe is wearing the snood on the head to protect an injured ear

When the ear has the wound even if it is protected with bandage, there is still danger that it will be hurt again if your dog shakes the head.
So it is good to get a "snood" for the head which will definitely slow down ears when shaking head and keep them protected.


WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR THIS BANDAGE?

Medical tape
Sterile gauze or cotton wool
Ointment which helps speed up and improve the process of reepithelialization and tissue renewal or just a natural honey.


veterinarska-praksa-uvodic.webnode.hr/ 
​is producing Ointment speed renewal cream upon a request!




HOW TO DO IT
Clean the wound, apply small piece of sterile gauze or cotton wool over it.
Cut the medical tape to a length of approximately 5 cm.
Glue the tape starting on the inside ear, then fold it over the top of the ear (where the wound is located) and glue the rest of the tape to the outside of the ear. 

It is important to apply the bandage for as long as the dog will leave it on, then replace as soon as the tape appears to be loosening/peeling away from the skin.
Total treatment time is often 3-to-6-weeks.
After the wound is healed, continue to apply oil and  cream on the top of the ear for at least month to help and support new tissue of an ear.​