NEGAUNEE -- If you think it's brutally cold for you to be outside, think about how it must feel for your canine friend. Your pal can get hypothermia easily if they are outdoors for too long.
"She started shaking violently. She did a little of her business, but then came back in and did a lot of her business. All the years we have had her, she's never done it," said Tawni Ferrarini, dog owner.
Tracy Nyberg, a veterinarian, says an extreme case of hypothermia could lead to death.
"If the body's starting to shut down, if it's pulling all that blood to the vital organs like the heart, lungs, and brain, that's pretty hard on the body. The dog could go into shock and possibly be a fatal condition," said Nyberg.
While you are outside, if they start acting differently, then usual, it's best to take them inside to get warmed up.
Every dog has a different tolerance level to these colder temperatures, especially because of their different breeds and sizes. But it's recommended that you keep their time outside short.
When you take your dog out, keep a close eye on how they react to the cold. If they start shivering, lifting their legs, get lethargic/tired, or fall over, then you want to get them inside and call a vet.
"It took her about a day she was very lethargic and sleeping a lot, but now she seems to be okay. I know what I know now. I felt really, really bad, but she's okay," Ferrarini said.
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