Dog Swimming Advice: Expert advice on keeping your dog safe in rivers, lochs, lakes and the sea
Dogs love the water - but there can be hidden dangers.
Vets are issuing urgent warnings to pet owners to be aware of potential dangers if they’re planning to take their dogs swimming during the upcoming heatwave.
The warning has been issued by Medivet & Partners, one of the UK’s leading veterinary care providers, as temperatures soar in places across the country this week.
Owners are being told to be aware of risks, including toxic blue-green algae and salty water, which could cause dogs to become severely sick.
Here’s some key safey advice from Dr Rhian Littlehales BSc (Hons) BVSc CertAVP PgCert (VBM) MRCVS, Clinical Governance Director at Medivet & Partners.
Avoid toxic blue-green algae
Blue-green algae is a type of bacteria that clumps together in bodies of standing freshwater like lakes and can be extremely harmful to dogs. The algae produce harmful toxins which can affect your pet’s liver or cause neurological signs if ingested. Exposure to this is often fatal and can cause long-term health problems in pets, even if they survive. By drinking from or swimming in contaminated water, pets are at a very high risk of becoming seriously ill and must be taken to a vet immediately. Keep dogs well away from any lakes or ponds that you know or suspect to be contaminated. Providing an alternative water source, like a travel water bowl, for dogs on walks can help prevent them from drinking from contaminated lakes or ponds. Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning include:
- Vomiting/being sick
- Diarrhoea
- Seizures/fitting
- Weakness/collapse/unconsciousness
- Disorientation/confusion
- Excessive drooling
- Breathing difficulties
If you suspect your pet has been in contact with blue-green algae, or if they show any of these symptoms after entering water, you should see a vet straight away.
Stick to safe bodies of water
If you suspect your pet has been in contact with blue-green algae, or if they show any of these symptoms after entering water, you should see a vet straight away. If it’s the first time that your dog will be playing in or around water, make sure they start out in very shallow water, so you can help if needed. If you’re at the beach, monitor your dog to make sure the tide doesn’t pull them away. “If your dog begins to struggle when swimming in the sea, immediately contact the lifeguards or coastguards to alert them. “Remember that there are risks of jumping into water to save your dog, including cold water shock, and your dog can pull you underwater if they're struggling and scrambling for air.“As soon as a dog is safely on shore, they should be taken to a nearby vet for a check-up.
Check their ears
Swimmer's ear is a common issue amongst humans, but many pet owners aren’t aware that dogs can suffer from something similar. The easiest way to reduce the chance of infection is to dry your pet’s ears after they’ve been swimming to reduce moisture and check your pets' ears regularly. Signs of an ear infection include a foul odour, excessive head shaking and itching of the ear
Be mindful of salty water
Swimmer's ear is a common issue amongst humans, but many pet owners aren’t aware that dogs can suffer from something similar. The easiest way to reduce the chance of infection is to dry your pet’s ears after they’ve been swimming to reduce moisture and check your pets' ears regularly."Signs of an ear infection include a foul odour, excessive head shaking and itching of the ear. Make sure that your dog isn’t drinking too much seawater at the beach, as the high salt content of seawater can cause problems to their stomach, sometimes leading to salt toxicosis or hypernatremia. Take steps to offer your pet a good drink of fresh water before they start paddling to prevent this and always have drinking water on hand in case they get thirsty in the heat.
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