Going for a dog dip?
- posted: Jun. 15, 2023
Does your canine family member love to sneak in a dog dip when you go to the lake or visit a park with a creek? Swimming can be great exercise and also a fantastic way to cool off in the heat! There are however, a few things to be mindful of though once your furry friend has decided to go for a swim:
1. Check the lake, creek or sloughs for any Blue Green Algae. These blooms can be fatal if your pet drinks the water containing toxic algae. When it's hot and water levels are lower, it's important to check for this before letting Fido take a drink!
2. Rinse well once they get out! Not only is it important for their skin health, but also their ears! Lake or slough water can contain irritants and as the moisture is trapped under your dog's thick fur coat, or inside their ears, can cause bacterial and yeast overgrowth leading to itchy ear infections or hotspots. Use an appropriate veterinary ear cleaner after swimming to flush the ear canals and clean water and pet shampoo to bathe them at the end of the day.
3. Check that the water isn't too deep, or the current too fast! If your pet loves to swim for long periods of time, will be in deep water/faster current, or is in an area where there are lots of boaters present, we recommend a brightly colored life jacket for your furry family member! Dogs can tire easily from strenuous swimming as well and require the support of a life vest to keep them safe- the bright color also makes them more visible in the water both to you and other boaters.
4. Monitor for any gastrointestinal upset. If you notice any vomiting or diarrhea after your pet has been drinking from a lake or slough, schedule an examination with one of our experienced Veterinarians. Lakes and sloughs can contain bacteria or parasites that can lead to GI issues.
- posted: Jun. 15, 2023
Does your canine family member love to sneak in a dog dip when you go to the lake or visit a park with a creek? Swimming can be great exercise and also a fantastic way to cool off in the heat! There are however, a few things to be mindful of though once your furry friend has decided to go for a swim:
1. Check the lake, creek or sloughs for any Blue Green Algae. These blooms can be fatal if your pet drinks the water containing toxic algae. When it's hot and water levels are lower, it's important to check for this before letting Fido take a drink!
2. Rinse well once they get out! Not only is it important for their skin health, but also their ears! Lake or slough water can contain irritants and as the moisture is trapped under your dog's thick fur coat, or inside their ears, can cause bacterial and yeast overgrowth leading to itchy ear infections or hotspots. Use an appropriate veterinary ear cleaner after swimming to flush the ear canals and clean water and pet shampoo to bathe them at the end of the day.
3. Check that the water isn't too deep, or the current too fast! If your pet loves to swim for long periods of time, will be in deep water/faster current, or is in an area where there are lots of boaters present, we recommend a brightly colored life jacket for your furry family member! Dogs can tire easily from strenuous swimming as well and require the support of a life vest to keep them safe- the bright color also makes them more visible in the water both to you and other boaters.
4. Monitor for any gastrointestinal upset. If you notice any vomiting or diarrhea after your pet has been drinking from a lake or slough, schedule an examination with one of our experienced Veterinarians. Lakes and sloughs can contain bacteria or parasites that can lead to GI issues.
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