Your puppy might be thrilled at the idea of swimming at the beach or just spending time in the collapsible pool in your backyard. However, it is worth noting that water activities come with risks as much as fun or even more.
Fresh water at a moderate temperature can be ideal and safe for your puppy to dive in and splash some water. But, the presence of algal blooms in the water or freezing temperatures can adversely impact your little pupper’s health.
It is one reason why you should consider purchasing pet insurance NZ. It is essential to be financially prepared with the best pet insurance so that tackling such emergencies and other distressing health scenarios is comparatively easy.
Contemplate purchasing a pet policy. In the meantime, learn some common signs of a wet dog tipping into the too-cold zone.
Major red flags
- Lethargy
- Shivering
- Muscle stiffness
- Stumbling
- Lack of body balance
- Pale/gray gums
- Fixed/dilated pupils
- Seizures
- Low heart rate
- Reduced breathing rate
These are a few signs that point to “Hypothermia”. To confirm, you can quickly check your fur baby’s body temperature using a thermometer. Anything below 35⁰C indicates low temperature. Suppose you don’t have a thermometer; rely on your observation skills to swiftly respond to a critical situation. Should you feel your puppy’s body is too cold by just touching it, take it to the vet asap. As you never know when it transforms into a life-threatening emergency.
It helps to remember that smaller dog breeds, short-haired dogs, young puppies, geriatric dogs, and dogs with chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, bone and joint issues are highly sensitive to cold.
If your puppy belongs to any of these categories, you should be all the more careful while permitting it to swim for extended periods in the water. A tub in the bathroom where your puppy can delight in playing in warm water or an indoor puppy pool can be a safer option than the local swimming hole in such a case.
Even if a dog is bred to thrive in the cold or is a born swimmer, there is a threshold limit for temperature toleration. And additional medical issues might only aggravate the existing health condition, which is why you should not allow your puppy to have dips for long periods.
How to care for your puppy after a cold swim?
Whether or not your pet pooch shows signs of “Hypothermia”, follow the below steps, so they stay safe after a jolly swim.
As your puppy gets out of the cold water, dry it off with warm towels and allow it to stay inside a heated room. If a room is not available, consider taking your pet inside the car and wrapping it with a thick blanket.
Provide your puppy with fluids to drink. For instance, you can fill your puppy’s bowl with moderately hot milk or chicken broth, so they recuperate from the freezing temperature.
However, if your puppy doesn’t respond to warming-up tactics within half an hour to forty minutes, it might be time for a vet visit. Pet insurance in NZ helps provide a canine fur baby with timely medical care during emergencies like these and other unanticipated health situations.
The best pet insurance allows you to support your furry little friend with necessary medical help with little financial stress. You can focus on your fur baby’s treatment rather than the costs involved, so why not purchase a policy?
