Remember water! but not all water is good for your four-legged friend...
The sins that hide in the water
We are approaching, fortunately soon, a time when the temperature rises again and when the flowers bloom. But when the summer heat really hits the country, there is often a danger of blue-green algae. These small algae can not only make the dog sick, but in the worst case, kill it.
Unfortunately, blue-green algae can occur in all the places that our beautiful dogs love: in lakes, streams and in the sea, and therefore you have to pay extra attention to them, when you let the dog cool off with a walk in the water.
Blue-green algae are actually bacteria that form several different disease-promoting toxins that are toxic to both dogs and humans. They flourish after prolonged heat in lakes, waterholes and the sea. You are probably sitting there thinking, "my dog is always bathing and nothing has ever happened". but the risk of the dog being poisoned by blue-green algae depends on the amount of the (algae) toxins in the water, how long the dog bathes and whether it drinks from the water. The biggest factor here is clearly whether your dog drinks from the water. Your dog does not need to bath in the water, but simply to drink from the poisoned water.
Keep a close eye for signs of blue-green algae
Despite the name, blue-green algae are not always blue-green. They can be yellowish, red or brownish. The algae will look like a cloudy "carpet" near the water surface, and often there will also be foam on the surface itself.
If you see these signs, keep your dog on a leash so that he doesn't just slip away and take a sip. In addition, the foam that blows to the edge of the sea can still contain the algae's toxins.
Signs of poisoning:
DiarrheaVomiting
Scabies around the mouth
Skin irritation
Cramp
Paralysis
Since blue-green algae poisoning can be life-threatening, it is important to always contact a veterinarian, even if you are in doubt.
If you are in doubt as to whether there was blue-green algae in the water when you were down swimming, wash your dog well when you get home and make sure that your dog does not lick itself before the fur is washed through.
The best thing you can do on very hot days, is to make sure you have clean water with you on your trip, because when your dog is not thirsty, you reduce the likelihood that he will drink from all the water he sees. And of course your dog must be allowed to play in the water! just check the water first <3
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