Just as people can get too cold and suffer from hypothermia, so can dogs. Hypothermia occurs in dogs when their body temperature remains below the normal range of 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit for too long. Some dogs are more susceptible to hypothermia than others, including small dogs, short-haired dogs and wet dogs.
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Shivering
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Shivering is often the first sign of hypothermia in dogs. Shivering is the best way for a dog to produce heat. His muscles are tensing, creating heat inside his body.
Piloerection
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Piloerection is a dog's answer to goose bumps. The hairs will stand on end, trapping a layer of warm air between the hair and the skin. This creates a barrier between the dog and the cold air and helps him conserve warmth.
Lethargy
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As a dog advances into hypothermia he will become lethargic and unresponsive. All of his energy and focus is on keeping his organs working, so blood flow becomes restricted in the rest of the body. If you don't begin treating the hypothermia at this point, it can be fatal.
Muscle Stiffness
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As the dog becomes too cold his muscles will be very stiff. He may have trouble walking and will lack normal coordination.
Low Heart Rate
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All of a dog's internal processes become slower when his is experiencing hypothermia. His heart will begin beating more and more slowly. Eventually, it will stop beating if he doesn't get warm.
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