What to watch for if your dog is a swimmer

Q: Is it safe for my dog to swim in our backyard pool?

A: Swimming is great exercise for dogs (and people). If your dog enjoys swimming, and you do not mind sharing your pool, there is no reason to keep him out. There are a few precautions you should take to protect his health and yours.

First, be sure there is a stair well where your dog can easily get in and out of the pool. Lifting a larger dog out of the pool can be dangerous if he begins to panic. For the same reason, it is wise not to swim right next to your dog.

Be sure the pool is clear of ropes, inner tubes, and similar items that can entrap or confuse your dog. Be sure any items used in fetching are large enough that they do not pose a choking hazard and small enough to allow your dog to comfortably breathe while swimming back to you.

Keep the pool chemicals at appropriate levels for sanitation. Do not allow a dog that has recently experienced diarrhea or vomiting to swim in your pool. Some of these dogs can be shedding bacteria or parasites that could affect human health.

When your dog is finished swimming, infuse her ears with a drying agent designed for dog ear canals. Consult your veterinarian for product recommendations. Dogs with sensitive eyes may also benefit from the application of artificial tear ointment before and/or after a swim. Dry skin can be reduced by rinsing off pool chemicals with a hose.

For those who don’t have pools, watch the paper in August and September for area pool announcements. Frequently, the weekend after a public pool closes for the season, they will sponsor a day where dogs can come swim. Also, many area ponds and lakes are ideal places for dogs to go swimming.

Q: What should I do if my dog gets bitten by a copperhead snake?

A: First, do not panic. Try to stay calm so your dog does not get too excited. Second, try to get a really good look at the snake without getting too close. Is it really a copperhead, or just a brown water snake, corn snake, or other look alike? Most snakebites are from non-poisonous snakes. If you are able to safely kill the offending snake, bring it to a veterinarian for identification. It may help in deciding how to treat your pet.

There are two kinds of poisonous snakes in central Virginia. The first is a copperhead and the other is a timber rattlesnake. In the far southeastern portion of Virginia, you can also find water moccasins. These snakes are called pit vipers, due to heat sensing glands, or “pits,” below each eye. Their poison works by killing skin and muscle tissue and is much less dangerous than the neurotoxins produced by cobras, coral snakes, and other infamous reptiles. However, in a small pet, the pit viper toxins can still be life threatening.

After a bite there are two priorities. The first is to keep the toxin from spreading as much as possible. To reduce the spread of the toxin, use an ice pack on the area of your dog will let you. Stay calm to try to keep your pet calm. If your dog is small enough to carry, avoid having him walk around as much as practical. The second priority is to get to a veterinarian right away.

Do not give any medications at home without a veterinarian’s instructions. Some can actually worsen the effects of the venom.

Treatment for snakebites primarily involves reducing swelling, pain, and infection that can occur after these bites. Antivenin is also available in some locations, but its use is controversial. Most general practices do not stock the expensive antivenin serum, but some emergency clinics do. The antivenin is known to cause severe life-threatening allergic reactions in a significant number of dogs. Since the vast majority of snakebites are from non-poisonous snakes and since most pit viper bites are non-lethal, the risk of reaction to the treatment should be carefully considered before using antivenin.

Dr. Watts is a companion animal general practitioner and owner of Clevengers Corner Veterinary Care. He can be reached through ClevengersCorner.com or by calling 428-1000.