that would be true, but what if his throat was restricted by the snow, blocking the passage of the material. rather than freeze to death, it might have choked to death, after having been knocked unconcious by the force of the blow from the snow hitting its head. the cold temperature would have reduced any flow to that area, preventing any sign of a bruise. As i understand it, it had lost its winter coat, meaning it was not as well insulated as normal. that would have allowed it to lose heat much faster when it turn to a deep freeze again. about the time hyperthermia would start to set in, here comes the avalance.

the more man learns, the more he realises, he really does not know anything.