04/07/2020
10 Swimming Safety Tips for Your Swimming is a great way to exercise your dog. It’s fun, it’s low impact and it’s a nice way to stay cool on those really hot days. But like everything else that’s fun in this world there are a few dangers to watch out for. If you’re going to take your dog swimming there’s a few things to keep in mind.
1. Don’t Assume All Dogs Can Swim
Don’t assume that all dogs can swim. Some dogs take to the water like naturals, but others don’t have the physical capacity to swim effectively (they sink like a rock). Much of your dog’s ability to swim depends on his body shape. Big chested breeds with short legs, such as the Bulldog, are known to have a hard time staying afloat. And those with flat faces, such as the Pug, are prone to breathing problems that leave them easily fatigued. And very small dogs, such as Chihuahuas, can get overwhelmed by big waves or strong currents. So keep those factors in mind when teaching your dog how to swim. Not all dogs were made for swimming, and some may need the help of a life jacket to stay afloat.
The Bulldog’s short legs and big chest makes it physically difficult for them to stay afloat in the water. If your dog struggles with swimming keep them safe by getting them a life vest.
2. Take it Slow When Teaching Your Dog to Swim
Many dogs are nervous when introduced to the water for the first time, so take it slow to avoid overwhelming them. Not all dogs are going to jump right in, many will need some convincing that it’s not such a scary thing after all. Encourage your dog to follow you into shallow water. Praise him as he follows you in, and keep encouraging him to follow you around. Once your dog seems comfortable in shallow water you can try coaxing him out a little further with one of his favorite toys. Keep up the praise as he follows you around to show him that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Don’t force them if they’re not ready, let them explore the water at their own pace. Some dogs will take to it right away, while others will require a few wading sessions before they’re confident enough to venture out and try swimming on their own.
3. Get Your Dog a Life Vest
Dogs that are learning how to swim should wear a life jacket for safety. And for dogs that have a hard time staying afloat, or for those that are nervous in the water a life jacket is recommended at all times to help keep them safe.
Even with practice many big chested breeds with short legs (see the Bulldog example above) will struggle with swimming. They have a tendency to sink in deep water, so wearing a life jacket helps give them the ability to stay above water.
Dogs that are nervous in the water have a higher risk of becoming fatigued. When dogs panic their respiration and ability to swim become compromised, which increases the likelihood of drowning. Wearing a life jacket can help keep them safe. Dogs, even experienced swimmers, can get overwhelmed by strong currents or waves. If you’re going to take your dog to the beach when the waters are rough get them a life jacket for their own safety.
Finding the right size life vest for your can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you have a dog with atypical measurements. I recommend taking your dog to the local pet store and trying some on to make sure you get the right fit. Life vests provide your dog with some extra support when swimming. Dogs that are learning to swim, or those that have a hard time swimming should wear one for their own safety.
4. Don’t Let Your Dog Drink from Lakes or Ponds
Whenever you take your dog swimming be sure to bring plenty of fresh water to keep them hydrated. Lakes, ponds, swamps and rivers are contaminated with organisms that can be harmful to your dog. In mild cases these organisms can lead to diarrhea, but in severe cases (such as Leptospira) they can be fatal.
In addition to bacteria many lakes and rivers are treated with pesticides that can poison your dog. Older dogs, puppies and those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible, but any dog should be discouraged from drinking from outdoor water sources.
5. Don’t Let Your Dog Drink From the Ocean
Drinking from the ocean can make your dog extremely sick. Salt water has an osmotic effect, pulling liquid into your dog’s intestines. This can cause diarrhea and vomiting, both of which can lead to dehydration (often called ‘beach diarrhea‘).
Unlike normal diarrhea, beach diarrhea is severe and comes on fast, and it causes dogs to dehydrate quickly. If dogs ingest enough salt water they can suffer serious kidney damage which can be fatal.
To reduce the risk of your dog getting sick be sure to bring along plenty of fresh water when you take your dog swimming. Keep a close eye on your dog and call them over if you see them start to drink from the ocean. Salt water can cause diarrhea, vomiting and severe dehydration in dogs. Remember to bring along plenty of fresh water for your dog when heading out to the beach.
6. Watch Out for Advisories & Beach Closures
Many public beaches are monitored for bacteria, and when those levels get too high health departments close beaches. Most beach closures are due to E. coli, which is used as an indicator that there’s likely other harmful pathogens present in the water.
If you’re going to the beach with your dog be sure to check for postings at the entrance regarding any current advisories. You can also check online before you head out.
7. Ask Your Vet About Preventatives
Preventatives are treatments used to prevent your dog from coming down with certain diseases and illnesses. If you spend a lot of time outdoors with your dog talk to your vet about the options that make sense for your dog. Some of these will vary by region (ticks are more prevalent in northeast states, therefore a Lyme vaccine may be recommended), and some will vary depending on your dog’s activities. For active dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors the Leptospira vaccine is often recommended. Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Leptospira interrogans. The bacteria survives for long periods of time in water, and it’s often found in swamps, lakes and ponds. It can lead to kidney failure and death if left untreated.
I don’t want to scare you off of having fun with your dog outdoors, I just want to stress the importance of understanding the potential risks. Talk to your vet to find out what your dog is at risk for, and come up with a preventative plan that makes sense for your dog.
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors talk to your vet about preventatives. Find out what your dog is at risk for and come up with a plan that’s right for your dog.
8. Watch Your Dog for Signs of Illness
There’s a few parasites that can transmit waterborne diseases to our dogs, and they’re impossible to spot with the naked eye. Giardia an intestinal parasite can be contracted after swimming. Diarrhea comes on quickly. Luckily that’s one of the ‘easier’ illnesses to treat, and after a trip to the vet he was back to normal within a day.
After taking your dog swimming watch for symptoms of illness including diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, decrease in appetite and fever. If your dog shows any signs of illness take your dog to the vet for the correct diagnosis and treatment. Some waterborne illnesses are fatal if left untreated.
9. Watch Out For Blue-Green Algae
Blue-Green algae, also called cyanobacteria, is a bacteria most commonly found in calm waters such freshwater ponds and lakes. The toxins it creates are dangerous to humans, livestock and pets.
For dogs, exposure or ingestion of water contaminated by blue-green algae is often fatal. A lot of it ends up washing up onto the shore, creating even higher levels of concentration. So if you see any suspicious looking algae keep your dog away from the water itself and the shoreline.
Unfortunately the bacteria isn’t easy to spot unless it has clumped together. It can appear as green or brown flakes, and when fully bloomed it often appears as a blue-green film sitting on top of the water.
10. Wash Your Dog After Swimming
Wash (or at least rinse) your dog after a swim to help get rid of any bacteria that’s collected on their fur. If your dog isn’t cleaned off after swimming they’re going to be ingesting any nasty stuff they may have picked up when they groom themselves. Bathing will also help get rid of any chemicals that may have build up on his fur, and it will help alleviate any itchiness caused by sand or debris.
Chronic ear infections can be an issue for dogs that swim regularly. Pay close attention to your dogs ears, making sure they’re clean and thoroughly dried after a swim. If you notice any changes in you
Fourth of July Safety Tips
For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family—including furry friends. While it may seem like a great idea to reward your pet with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and activities can be potentially hazardous to him.
1. Fireworks and dogs don’t mix.
If you plan to go to a fireworks celebration, leave Fido at home. If fireworks can be heard near your home, keep your dogs and cats indoors for the evening, and give them a safe place to retreat, like a plush dog bed with blankets in a room without windows.
The perfect time to have friends and family over to lounge around in the backyard and fire up the grill. Before you start the celebration, take some time to protect your pets from the dangers this holiday poses to them.
Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.
Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, who can become frightened or disoriented by the sound. Please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities, and opt instead to keep them safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.
2. Secure your pet!
The rumor on the street is that more dogs go missing on July 4th than any other day of the year. Pets, especially dogs, HATE FIREWORKS. It can be equally easy for your dog to slip through an open gate left unlatched by a party guest. An up-to-date tag and microchip greatly increases the chance of a lost pet being returned, but keeping your pet confined inside is the safest option.
Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestion's, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers
3. It’s incredibly hot.
If your dog is outside for the party all day, and you get caught up in the festivities, you may easily miss the warning signs that your dog is overheating. Take a moment to read the signs of overheating in dogs. Make sure to keep your dog safe by providing plenty of cold water, shade, and the option to go inside.
5. Barbecues are for people, not pets.
Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.
People will drop food and spill drinks. The problem is that everyday people food and alcoholic drinks are unhealthy, or even poisonous, to your dog. Diverting from their regular food for even one meal can cause consequences from indigestion to punctured intestinal walls, or even a dangerously intoxicated pet at risk for respiratory failure Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases and death. It is best to keep your pets away from these celebrations.
5. Keep human sunscreen and bug spray products away from your pets.
Products with DEET are seriously toxic to our pets. There are pet-safe sun protection products on the market. If you are in doubt if a product is safe for your pet, it is best to find an alternative, such as the shaded and bug-free indoors. Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.
6. Keep matches and lighter fluid away from curious pets.
We all know someone who gets overzealous on the Fourth of July. Matches contain hazardous chemicals such as potassium nitrate, which is an oxidizing agent. Matches can also contain charcoal or sulfur and coloring agents, which are potentially dangerous heavy metals. When ingested, pets can develop gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, a painful abdomen, and bloody diarrhea. Lighter fluid contains hydrocarbons, and can cause skin irritation upon contact, respiratory problems when inhaled, or vomiting and diarrhea when ingested.
Play it safe with this holiday. While pets are a part of the family, and it’s only natural to want them around for the festivities, this is holiday when it’s best to find your pets a safe, secure spot in the home while you enjoy the day’s festivities.
Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorinates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.
Keep citronella candles, insect coils and tiki torch oil products out of reach. Ingestion can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.
Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it.
Dr.Jyl shared a few important tips for pet owners to keep in mind this 4th of July weekend.
