Someone told me that all dogs can swim. That is not true.

Eric found out the hard way. He came running into the clinic with his dog in his arms crying, "She drowned, Doc ... help me!"

There are several life-threatening problems that occur more frequently during the summer months - one of them is drowning.  Today, I want to give you some tips on water safety, because people never think that something like this will happen to them - until it does.

This is what happened recently.

Mr. Barnes was in panic mode when he brought Skipster to the clinic. His Brittany spaniel fell into the neighbor's pool - and he could not get out. Apparently there was no ladder, leaving no way for the dog to escape. He kept trying to get out of the pool until he became exhausted and went under water.

That is when her owner heard his cries.  He jumped in and got the dog out of the pool.  At the time, he did not think Skipster was breathing. He turned the dog upside down - with his back legs up in the air and his nose to the ground - and shook him. Then he jumped into the car with him. During the drive he keep pumping and tapping the dog's chest.

Mr. Barnes saved Skipster's life.

When he got to us Skipster was breathing, but only barely. His temperature and heart rate were low. He had aspirated pool water into his lungs.

We treated Skipster and he did great. It took about 4 days in the hospital (two days in ICU). He had oxygen, fluids, multiple medications - but he made it. I was so happy and so was Mr. Barnes.

I want to give you a few tips on water safety.

• Pets can drown in lakes and pools, just like people. Even if your pet seems to want to keep playing fetch in the water, at some point you will need to take a break.
• Older dogs tire more quickly, even if they are excellent swimmers. When the dog becomes exhausted, swimming and keeping his head above water becomes more difficult.
• Be on the lookout for stagnant pools of water. At certain times of the year, algae forms along the edges of stagnant or infrequently used bodies of water. Some forms of this algae, particularly blue-green algae, are very dangerous. Ingesting some of the algae can cause serious, rapid illness that can kill pets.

Don't allow your pet to go near stagnant water or algae, and make sure he doesn't drink from these water sources.
I hope these water safety tips help keep your dog safe this Summer

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Instructor Note: Learn CPR and First Aid so that you know how to aid your dog

Hyperthermia is a term describing an elevation in body temperature. This increase typically occurs as a response to a trigger, such as inflammation in the body or a hot environment. When a dog is exposed to high temperatures, heat stroke or heat exhaustion can result. Heat stroke is a very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Once the signs of heat stroke are detected, there is precious little time before serious damage - or even death - can occur.

Dogs do not sweat through their skin like humans - they release heat primarily by panting and they sweat through the foot pads and nose. If a dog cannot effectively expel heat, the internal body temperature begins to rise. Once the dog's temperature reaches 106°, damage to the body's cellular system and organs may become irreversible. Unfortunately, too many dogs succumb to heat stroke when it could have been avoided. Learn how to recognize the signs of heat stroke and prevent it from happening to your dog.

Signs of Heat Stroke

The following signs may indicate heat stroke in a dog:

• Increased rectal temperature (over 104° requires action, over 106° is a dire emergency)
• Vigorous panting
• Dark red gums
• Tacky or dry mucus membranes (specifically the gums)
• Lying down and unwilling (or unable) to get up
• Collapse and/or loss of consciousness
• Thick saliva
• Dizziness or disorientation

What to do if You Suspect Heat Stroke

If you have even the slightest suspicion that your dog is suffering from heat stoke, you must take immediate action.

1. First, move your dog out of the heat and away from the sun right away.
2. Begin cooling your dog by placing cool, wet rags or washcloths on the body - especially the foot pads and around the head.
3. DO NOT use ice or very cold water! Extreme cold can cause the blood vessels to constrict, preventing the body's core from cooling and actually causing the internal temperature to further rise. In addition, over-cooling can cause hypothermia, introducing a host of new problems. When the body temperature reaches 103°, stop cooling.
4. Offer your dog cool water, but do not force water into your dog's mouth.
5. Call or visit your vet right away - even if your dog seems better. Internal damage might not be obvious to the naked eye, so an exam is necessary (and further testing may be recommended).

Tip: recruit others to help you - ask someone to call the vet while others help you cool your dog.

Preventing Heat Stroke

There are ways you can prevent heat stroke from happening in the first place.

• NEVER leave your dog alone in the car on a warm day, regardless of whether the windows are open. Even if the weather outside is not extremely hot, the inside of the car acts like an oven - temperatures can rise to dangerously high levels in a matter of minutes.
• Avoid vigorous exercise on warm days. When outside, opt for shady areas.
• Keep fresh cool water available at all times.
• Certain types of dogs are more sensitive to heat - especially obese dogs and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, like Pugs and Bulldogs. Use extreme caution when these dogs are exposed to heat.

Some dogs can recover fully from heat stroke if it is caught early enough. Others suffer permanent organ damage and require lifelong treatment. Sadly, many dogs do not survive heat stroke. Prevention is the key to keeping your dog safe during warmer weather.