Queensland's cold weather drives dogs inside, warning from vet about elderly pets – ABC News

Queensland's cold weather drives dogs inside, warning from vet about elderly pets
Rain, hail or shine, the place to find working dogs has always been outside.  
But it's been so cold in south-western Queensland this week, even the toughest of farmers have bent the rules.
"Our dogs have been feeling the cold as much as we have, if not more, seeing as they sleep outside," said St George cattle farmer Andrew Underwood.
The sunshine state shivered through another chilly morning on Friday, with Roma recording minus 2.9 degrees Celsius and Applethorpe minus 2.4 degrees.
"It's always nice to go the extra mile and get them a blanket and rug to sleep with," Mr Underwood said.
But he admitted this week he went beyond that "extra mile" for one young kelpie.
"She came inside on the second night away from her mother … I put her in front of the fireplace," he said.
"And I'd be lying if I thought there weren't [other farmers doing the same]. It's a bit hard to say no to an eight-week-old pup!"
It's not only the young dogs making a beeline for the fireplace.
Fourteen-year-old Sam the Cavoodle has not moved very far in his Toowoomba home over the past week.
His chair was the closest to the fireplace.
"With these really cold mornings, he's very hesitant to go outside," owner Michelle Schneider said.
"His eyesight is starting to go now and he's a bit stiff in the morning, so we are putting in the extra effort to make him as comfortable as possible in his old age, especially during the winter months.
"So he doesn't get his feet wet from the frost, he'll walk around the garden edge and do his wee while standing on the cement garden edge.
"Then he comes inside and settles down near the fireplace."
Dr Glynn Rigden from Southern Downs Veterinary Services said modern dog owners were bit more sensitive.
"It's not like the old days," he said.
"There are not too many pets left outside in the frost anymore, in fact most pets often have the best spot in the house!"
The Stanthorpe-based vet said older dogs could suffer during colder months.
"We need to be most proactive looking after senior pets, particularly dogs, and be proactive in managing osteoarthritis, because it does worsen in cold weather," he said.
"There are some nutritional supplements that you can give and there are also medications that can help massively.
"The other thing is to be mindful of their weight. So if an older dog is overweight, that actually makes the osteoarthritis worse and then as the weather gets colder, the weight becomes a bigger issue. So getting them in good shape is helpful."
Getting in shape could involve a good, long walk, and even in the middle of winter, the off-leash area of Toowoomba's Queens Park was getting good use, even with frost on the ground.
"It's not an option for us," said Jenny Morison as she threw a ball for Sullie.
"She's an energetic girl and needs a run everyday, and seeing her happiness is just as important as ours, she gets to run, and we get rugged up."
But Ms Morison came to the park prepared.
"I've got a heat tech shirt on and a puffer jacket and insulated beanie, and Sully runs, so we both stay warm," she laughed.
The RSPCA has also called for donations of blankets and dog coats for use in their shelters.
"We go through so many every day trying to keep [the animals] clean and warm," said spokesperson Emma Lagoon.
"So anything is really appreciated at this time of year."
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