It’s Memorial Day Weekend!
There’s so much to do, now that Summer is kinda sorta officially here. It’s fun to head off to the lake or the beach. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when you’re out and about with your pup.
Never leave you dog in a car alone. Not only do cars get exponentially hotter as the minutes tick away, but your dog can get into all kinds of trouble. Parking in the shade and leaving the windows cracked do nothing to dissipate the heat and prevent something awful from happening. Leaving a dog with a collar and a leash in a car is also asking for another tragedy. So, just NEVER leave your dog in a car alone.
Here in Massachusetts, public beaches do not allow dogs on the beach after Memorial Day. If you’re lucky enough to have a private beach, be aware of things that could be dangerous to your dog. This includes things like seaweed, seawater, nettles and jellyfish.
Dogs can have too much water. Dogs that are hyper-hydrated can seem disoriented, sluggish, and dizzy, and are in need of immediate medical attention. While this is a relatively well known occurrence in long distance runners, most people don’t know that it can happen to dogs, too. Too much water in a dog’s system can interfere with their electrolytes and cause serious and fatal problems.
Another thing about letting your dog drink a lot of water is that, while no one is 100% sure, this could be a recipe for bloat. Bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach flips, trapping whatever is inside. Having a stomach full of water and then playing has been known to cause bloat. This is a severe life-threatening situation. Within 20 minutes, your dog’s stomach will start dying. You must get to an emergency vet immediately. If you see your dog stretching, drooling, rolling on his back, and generally acting uncomfortable, measure your dog’s stomach. If 60 seconds later the measurement is larger, your dog is in dire need of medical attention. Even if you suspect that it is bloat, you should attend a hospital.
Xylitol is deadly for dogs. This sugar substitute is found in so many foods, it’s almost pointless to list them all. The main culprit is sugarless gum, or anything that’s “sugarless.” Even a large dog ingesting a small amount can be fatal. So, watch for your dog rooting under that picnic table.
We don’t mean to be a Nervous Nellie, but it’s important to us that everyone have a safe and happy Memorial Day!