Animal Bridges
Animal Bridges Newsletter
June 2014

Elaine and Hobbes 2013
 Elaine and Hobbes
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Animal Bridges  

612-237-9580

 




What a spring and early summer!  Either your area is soaking wet with flood waters or bone dry from drought.

 

Before I get to Mother Nature's water issues, please have water available for all your pets. Dog walkers and their dogs really appreciate the water bowl and "dog wading pool" in our side yard. Even on the cooler days, many dogs stop and take a drink.

 

Here are some tips to help you and your pet with the floods or drought.

 

Flood Areas

Yes, the Twin Cities' rivers, creeks, and lakes are flooding. Fortunately our home is dry.

 

Here are some tips for people in flood areas:

  • Keep you dogs out of the lakes, creeks, and rivers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly advise to "keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed." Read the CDC tips.
  • Water in lakes, creeks, and rivers may be contaminated with chemicals, pesticides, and feces. (I heard of a porta-potty floating in a local lake.)
  • Keep your dogs from drinking affected water. This includes "street tea" or the water puddles by the curb.  The water may cause diarrhea.
  • Open wounds may get infected from the flood waters.
  • Read this great article by a vet on water-borne illnesses in dogs.

Drought Areas

  • All animals are searching for water including predators, birds, snakes, and other animals.
  • Be sure your pets are supervised when outside.
  • The Sunbear Blog Squad article gives great information for pet protection in drought areas.

Maybe soon Mother Nature will calm down. Let the fields dry, the rivers and lakes recede, and the mosquitoes and ticks leave.

 

Have a safe July 4th and please keep your pets inside. Too many pets are lost over the July 4th holiday.

 

Take care,

 

Elaine

 

P.S. Concerned about your pet? Schedule a free 15-minute consult.

 

Ice Water and Bloat - The Myth Rises Again!

Recently a Facebook post from before 2010 surfaced again about the ice water and dogs. The post states that the dog had ice water and it caused bloat. This is a myth!!!

 

Bloat is a life threatening medical emergency and immediate veterinary help is required. It is when the stomach swells up due to liquids or food and twists. It usually affects deep, barrel chest dogs. Since I am not a veterinarian, I will not list the possible causes.

 

A Grand Rapids, Michigan veterinarian went to the airways to give the true story on ice water and dogs. 

 

With Internet stories, my first stop is Snopes.com where they research "urban legends." Snopes said the story is false.

 

So give your dogs and cats room temperature water on hot days. Remember they can get dehydrated too. Just like you, they want to drink a lot when they are thirsty and will gulp it down. 

 

So limit the amount cold water or ice cubes.  Just be sure to make them to take breaks after a few drinks. Hobbes knows the command "enough" when he drinks. 

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