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Swimming Safety for Dogs - How to safely enjoy taking a plunge

5/30/2024

With soaring temperatures lately it is always great to let your dog cool off by taking a plunge in a pool or dip in a river. Here are my top tips how to make sure that your dog can enjoy the cooling waters safely. As always know your dog’s skill level and capabilities before letting your pup swim and better yet, put a life jacket on your dog.
Creek/River:

Check Currents: Before allowing your dog to swim in a creek or river, check the current strength. Fast-moving water can be dangerous, even for strong swimmers. Opt for calm sections with slow-moving water and have possibly a long line on your dog in case you need to pull your dog out of a current.
Depth: Ensure the water is not too deep for your dog. Stick to areas where your dog can comfortably touch the bottom.
Avoid Rapids: Rapids can be hazardous for both humans and dogs. Keep away from areas with strong, turbulent water like the tube chute in New Braunfels
Check for Hazards: Inspect the area for sharp rocks, branches, or debris that could injure your dog. Always be mindful of underwater hazards and potential venomous snakes.
Stay Close: Keep a close eye on your dog at all times, especially in flowing water. Even confident swimmers can get carried away by strong currents.
Exit Points: Identify exit points before your dog enters the water. Make sure they can easily get in and out without struggling.

Lake:

Water Quality: Check the water quality of the lake, often you can get information about the conditions on local websites by doing a quick google search. Avoid swimming in lakes with algae blooms, as they can be toxic to dogs if ingested.
Watch for Wildlife: Keep an eye out for wildlife such as ducks or geese which may distract your dog and trigger their prey instinct. Be mindful of potential hazards like floating fire ants and snakes.
Boat Traffic: If the lake allows boating, be cautious of boat traffic. Keep your dog away from boat ramps and busy areas.
Stay Within Bounds: Avoid letting your dog swim too far from shore, especially if they are not strong swimmers and/or put a long line on your dog.
Beware of Underwater Hazards: Lakes may have hidden underwater hazards such as submerged trees or rocks. Be cautious and avoid areas with potential dangers.

Pool:

Fence the Pool: Install a fence around the pool to prevent unsupervised access. This is crucial for the safety of both children and pets.
Teach Exit Skills: Train your dog to find and use the steps or ramp to exit the pool safely. Practice this skill regularly.
Supervise Always: Never leave your dog unattended around the pool, even if they are a good swimmer. Accidents can happen quickly.
Chemical Safety: Be mindful of pool chemicals such as chlorine, don't let your dog drink too much pool water.
Avoid Pool Covers: Keep pool covers securely fastened when not in use to prevent your dog from falling in.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your dog's safety while enjoying swimming in creeks, rivers, lakes, or pools.

Keeping your canine cool: Essential tips for Texas Summers

5/23/2024

As Memorial Day weekend approaches Texas is also cranking up her temperatures, it's crucial for dog owners to take proactive steps to protect their furry companions from the dangers of overheating. With soaring temperatures and relentless humidity, summer in Texas can pose serious risks to dogs if proper precautions aren't taken. Here are my recommendations and strategies to keep your canine cool, recognize signs of heatstroke, and effectively cool down a hot dog.
Preventing Overheating:

Strategic Timing: Schedule outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, typically early morning or late evening, to avoid the peak heat.
Shade Oasis: Create shaded areas in your yard using umbrellas, tarps, or trees, providing a refuge for your dog to escape the sun's intensity when being out for a potty break or similar.
Hydration Station: Keep your dog hydrated by providing ample fresh water, ensuring it's easily accessible and replenished throughout the day. Make sure you periodically check the water because it can get warm pretty quickly even if it’s placed in shade. Warm water does nothing to prevent a dog from overheating.
Paw Protection: Shield your dog's sensitive paw pads from scorching surfaces. Always check pavement and concrete with your hand before letting your dog walk on it or opt for grassy areas. Be careful with protective booties since those can also lead to overheating if they stay on the dog for too long. Remember, they only have sweat glands on their paw pads, not on their body.
Car Caution: We all have it heard multiple times and even TXDot broadcasts it on their signs: Never leave your dog unattended in a parked car that is not turned on, as temperatures can skyrocket within minutes, posing a severe risk of heatstroke. If you should leave your car running to keep the a/c going, please put a temperature sensor like MarCell, Waggle or Necto (all available on Amazon) in your vehicle as an extra precaution in case the a/c goes out.
Cooling Gear: Equip your pup with cooling vests, mats, or neck gaiters , offering an extra layer of relief during outdoor excursions.

Identifying Heat exhaustion/Heatstroke:

Panting Peculiarities: Watch for excessive or rapid panting, which can be combined with other signs an indicator of a nearing heatstroke as your dog attempts to regulate its body temperature.
Salivation Sensations: Excessive drooling or frothing beyond normal levels may indicate that your dog is struggling to cope with the heat.
Lethargy Looming: Keep an eye out for unusual lethargy or weakness in your dog like “drunk walking”, as heatstroke can drain their energy rapidly.
Digestive Distress: Vomiting or diarrhea can signal that your dog's body is overwhelmed by the heat, prompting digestive disturbances.
Red Flags on the Tongue: A very elongated and widened tongue or tacky gums could signify increased blood flow due to overheating, warranting immediate attention.
Eyes: Glazed over and squinting eyes can also be a sign for your dog struggling.
Collapse Concerns: In severe cases, heatstroke can lead to collapse or seizures, requiring urgent veterinary intervention.

Cooling Down a Hot Dog:

Swift Shelter: Move your dog to a cool, shaded area or indoors as soon as signs of overheating emerge.
Hydration Heroes: Offer your dog cool (not cold) water to drink, aiding in hydration and temperature regulation. You may want to flavor the water with wet dog or cat food to entice your dog to drink
Fan Focus: Position fans strategically to promote airflow and evaporation, assisting in the cooling process.
Cooling from below: Make your dog lay on a cold floor, maybe putting down a wet towel (do not drape it over your dog, you will trap the heat), or make your dog lay down in the bathtub with a little bit cold water. When using ice packs make sure you use the 10 seconds rule -only apply for 10 seconds then take it off for a couple seconds.
Pulp Fiction shower: if you cannot move your dog indoors, try to get your dog soaked with the garden hose to bring down the temperature.
Temperature Tracking: Monitor your dog's temperature using a rectal thermometer, seeking veterinary guidance if it remains elevated or exceeds safe levels. You do not want to cool down your dog too fast since that may cause your dog to go into shock.

By incorporating these proactive measures into your summer routine, you can safeguard your beloved canine companion from the sweltering Texas heat. Remember, prioritizing prevention and swift action is key to ensuring your dog stays cool, comfortable, and safe all summer long.

Keeping you Pup safe: Chatting about Mushrooms and Dogs in your Backyard

5/16/2024

Hey there, fellow dog lovers in Texas! With the warmer weather inviting us and our furry pals outdoors, it's time for a friendly chat about something not so friendly â€“ poisonous mushrooms. Yep, those little fungi can pose a big threat to our canine companions if they decide to take a nibble. So, let's kick back, grab a cup of coffee (or a treat for Fido), and talk about how we can keep our pups safe from these sneaky shrooms.
Spotting the Bad Guys:
First things first, let's talk about how to identify those pesky poisonous mushrooms. In Texas, we've got a few troublemakers to watch out for:

Amanita Species: These guys are real troublemakers, with names like death cap and destroying angel. They're usually white or yellowish with a bulbous base â€“ not exactly something you'd want to snack on.
Galerina Species: These little brown or tan mushrooms might seem harmless, but they pack a toxic punch, especially for your pup's liver.
Conocybe and Inocybe Species: Don't let their small size fool you. Some of these brown-capped mushrooms can cause big problems for our furry friends.
Gymnopilus Species: Often orange or yellow, these mushrooms like to grow on wood. While they might not be as deadly as some others, they can still cause tummy troubles for your pup.

Keeping the Backyard Safe:
Now that we know what we're looking for, let's chat about how to keep our yards mushroom-free zones:

Stay Vigilant: Keep an eye out for mushrooms, especially after rain or in shady spots. If you spot any, grab some gloves and remove them ASAP.
Fence it Off: If you can, create barriers to keep your pup away from areas where mushrooms like to hang out, like wooded areas or mulch beds.
Hang Out Together: When your pup is out and about in the yard, stick with them and keep an eye on what they're sniffing out. A little supervision goes a long way in keeping them safe.

Teaching Fido the Ropes:
Of course, our dogs are curious creatures, so it's essential to teach them to steer clear of mushrooms:

Training Time: Spend some time teaching your pup commands like "leave it" or "drop it." That way, if they do stumble upon a mushroom, you can redirect their attention before they decide to take a taste.

When Things Go Wrong:
Despite our best efforts, accidents can still happen. If you suspect your pup has gotten into some mushrooms or is showing signs of poisoning, don't hesitate â€“ get them to the vet right away. Time is of the essence, and quick action can make all the difference in their recovery.
Wrapping It Up:
Alright, friends, that's the lowdown on keeping our pups safe from those tricky mushrooms. So let's get out there, enjoy the sunshine, and keep our furry friends out of harm's way. After all, nothing beats a day spent exploring with our favorite four-legged pals by our side.

Are you prepared????

5/2/2024

With the recent influx of storm and tornado outbreaks, we have to re-evaluate our disaster preparedness again.
This includes your pets!
Here are some of my recommendations:

Have well-fitting collars on all of your dogs with proper identification
Have all of your dogs microchipped and the chip registered to your name
Make sure your dogs are crate-trained in case you have to go to a shelter-in-place location or have to get evacuated. Most rescuers require your pet to be restrained in a crate when they evacuate all of you
Have enough leashes for all of your dogs
Have enough dog food and water for your dogs
Have your dog’s most current vaccination records stored digitally on your phone or other digital platform
Make sure your stranger danger dog is muzzle-trained to prevent any unpleasant encounters
Make sure your home has enough safe spots to shelter you and your dogs in the case of a tornado
Make sure dogs in your household that don’t get along can be safe and separated
Have enough of your dog’s medications on hand
Make sure you can transport all of your animals in case of an emergency
Have plenty of cleaning supplies ready since floodwaters are contaminated with bacteria, and you don’t want your dog to bring that inside your house
Have a safe spot where you can let your dog go to the bathroom. You could make your dog a litter box inside the garage with a tarp and some sod or sand
Have instructions written in case, well, your pets make it but not you or you get separated from your pets

Please be safe out there and have a plan!

Hey, Have You Heard Yet? There's Some Free Advice Here!

Swimming Safety for Dogs - How to safely enjoy taking a plunge

Keeping your canine cool: Essential tips for Texas Summers

Keeping you Pup safe: Chatting about Mushrooms and Dogs in your Backyard

Are you prepared????

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