It can only take a few seconds for your pet to start drowning and even the most attentive people can make a mistake. If your dog is drowning, that means that water is getting into their lungs. Don’t panic; it’s not too late.
So the authors conclude that drowned animals suffer the discomfort and pain of hypoxia (low oxygen) and anoxia (no oxygen) long before the narcotic effects of CO2 kick in, if they kick in at all, before the animal’s death.
Your pet has likely inhaled water into its lungs, and even after coughing it up or after observing water draining from the nose or mouth, there could be residual water remaining in the lungs. This could lead to pneumonia. Secondary drowning has been known to occur, even up to three days after the initial near-drowning.
Symptoms and Types
- Bluish skin and gums.
- Coughing with clear to frothy red sputum (spit-up)
- Cessation of breathing.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Crackling sound from the chest.
- Vomiting.
- Semi-conscious and dazed to comatose.
- Increased or decreased heart rate.
Transport your dog to a veterinarian immediately, even if he looks stable. Near drowning can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs over the next 24-48 hours and it is essential that the dog be examined by a veterinarian. Watch for infections while your dog recovers.
For larger dogs, lay them on their side and elevate the upper body so that the water can drain out of the nose and mouth. Check for a pulse. If the heart is beating, but your pet is not breathing, start artificial respiration immediately. Gently close the pet’s mouth and extend the pet’s neck to open the airway.
What are the symptoms of pulmonary edema in dogs?
- Coughing.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Crackling noises when taking a breath.
- Open mouth breathing.
- Wheezing.
A healthy adult dog can probably swim 20 minutes before drowning but the real number greatly depends on your dog’s fitness level, breed, and age.
How to Spot Dry Drowning in Dogs
- Coughing or hacking.
- Signs of chest pain.
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing.
- Extreme lethargy (brought on by a lack of oxygen to the brain)
Consider pool safety products such as baby fences, pool alarms (they sound when anyone falls in), alarmed collars (rigged to alarm at a home base when its wearer falls in), and electrified underground pool fences (the dog wears a collar to keep him away from the pool’s perimeter).
Here’s what to look for:
- lethargy or extreme fatigue.
- difficulty breathing.
- irritability or mood swings.
- chest pain.
- shortness of breath.
- persistent cough.
- fever.
Most dogs love swimming and if left on their own, would probably never come out of the water. But when they become fatigued or unable to get out of the pool, dry drowning can become a real, life-threatening danger.
If unsuccessful, the dog needs to be placed on a ventilator where oxygen is mechanically delivered to the dog. The dog is placed on intravenous fluid therapy to replace any fluid losses and to treat shock, if any. Supplementation with electrolytes may also be required as determined by various blood tests.
Dogs new to the sport can often only swim 10 minutes until their stamina level is reached. For dogs recovering from an injury or illness, gentle progressive exercise is the key. Each visit will increase his stamina. Your 30-minute swim session is industry standard for the average dog.
If you are able to, hold your pet upside down and gently shake them.
- Alternatively put them onto their right hand side with their head lower than their body.
- Locate the last ribs and push into the dent beside these in an upward motion towards their head to try and force out any water.
In many cases, thoracocentesis is used to remove accumulated fluid. Removing the fluid that surrounds the lungs will allow your pet to breathe more readily. In some cases, a chest tube may be placed to allow repeated fluid drainage in order to help your dog breathe more effectively.
The most common signs of respiratory problems include:
- Coughing.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Gagging after coughing.
- Nasal congestion.
- Exercise intolerance.
- Fainting.
- Wheezing.
- Blue gums.
The Bulldog, Pug, Dachshund, Pekingese, Basset Hound, and Boxer are some of the most popular breeds of dogs who are generally unable to swim due to their anatomy and facial structure. Additionally, dogs with ideal anatomy might struggle to keep afloat if they have heavy, thick fur coats.
Lots of dogs love water play. … As long as it’s wet, your dog is happy. Some dogs may be a bit more excitable around water than others. Not content with just splashing through it or swimming in it, they may bite, dive, and snap at any water that moves.
A quick dip or splash in a cold body of water isn’t likely to cause a problem for an otherwise healthy dog, especially if you dry them off afterward. Prolonged swimming in cold temps, however, can lead to hypothermia.
Symptoms of water intoxication in dogs include lack of coordination, lethargy, nausea, bloating, vomiting, dilated pupils, glazed eyes, light gum color, and excessive salivation. Advanced symptoms include difficulty breathing, collapsing, loss of consciousness, and seizures.
