With Hurricane Erin churning up the water off the coast of New England, and hot dry weather causing toxic algae blooms in lakes and ponds, I thought I’d take this opportunity to remind dogs about water safety. Whether it is the ocean, pond or puddle, each comes with their own unique safety issues for dogs.
Rip Currents: Rip currents, sometimes referred to as rip tides and undertow, are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water in the ocean. Rip currents typically reach speeds of 1 to 2 feet per second. However, some rip currents have been measured at 8 feet per second, which is faster than any Olympic swimmer. Therefore even if you’ve mastered the doggie paddle, you better beware!
Rip currents can be difficult to spot, and conditions can change without notice. Even without a hurricane offshore, rip currents can be present on perfect summer days. Some clues to look for are areas of water where waves are not breaking, especially narrow gaps of darker, calmer-looking water extending offshore. Because rip currents look calm, many people think they are the safest place for a dog to swim and often choose to enter the water right in the middle of the rip current! For a visual description here is a video produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association on “How to Spot a Rip Current.”
Please remember that the times dogs are allowed on beaches, usually are not the same times that lifeguards are on duty. So there is no one available to rescue your human, who is trying to rescue you. If your human finds themself in a rip current, do NOT try to swim against the current. Instead, swim parallel to the shore and swim back to land at an angle.
Toxic Algae Blooms: Algae blooms are one of the most common problems in lakes and ponds of all sizes, and usually develop in the spring and summer months, when sunlight and rising water temperatures create ideal conditions for growth. They have a characteristic appearance, often described as “pea soup-like” or “like spilled paint.” Algae blooms can be blue, green, gray, red, brown or a number of additional colors. Not all algae is toxic, but the kind that is can be deadly for dogs. So when in doubt, avoid taking a dip. For more information on identifying harmful algae blooms, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation produced the video, “How to Identify Harmful Algal Blooms: Tips and Tricks.”
Leptospirosis and Giardia: Leptospirosis, also known as Lepto, is a disease caused by drinking standing water, found in a puddle or a pond, and can be fatal. However, unlike algae blooms and rip currents, Lepto is impossible to identify just by looking at it. It is caused by infected wildlife urinating in the stagnant water. Therefore, the best way to protect yourself is to make sure while on hikes to bring a lot of fresh water with you, and to take frequent breaks to drink before you get thirsty. You can also discuss with your veterinarian vaccines that help fight against Lepto. Another danger lurking in puddles is Giardia, which is difficult to treat and can return even after treatment, not to mention could potentially be transmitted from dogs to humans. Additional information on these illnesses, and other poisons in puddles, can be found at IDEXX’s Pet Health Network’s “3 Ways Playing in Puddles Could be Deadly to Your Dog.”
And one last bit of advice: Even on land stay away from the water this weekend. Rough surf can kick up rocks, and rogue waves can knock you off rocky outcroppings.
