With the hot weather, many of us are keeping our dogs cool with paddling pools, sprinklers and garden hoses. But this week one of our customers shared a frightening experience that we wanted to pass on.

Their dog became seriously ill after spending time playing in a pool and with the hose. During all the fun, he accidentally swallowed too much water. He ended up at the emergency vets, had seizures (fits), was put on a drip, and they were told they could have lost him.

This condition is called water intoxication (hyponatraemia). Although it’s rare, it can become life-threatening very quickly.

How can it happen?

It can occur when dogs swallow excessive amounts of water while:

Playing in paddling pools

Swimming in lakes, rivers or the sea

Chasing water from a hose or sprinkler

Constantly retrieving toys from the water

Drinking excessive amounts of water in a short period

Signs to watch for:

• Staggering or loss of coordination

• Lethargy

• Excessive drooling

• Bloating

• Vomiting

• Glazed eyes or dilated pupils

• Pale gums

• Difficulty breathing

• Seizures (fits)

If you notice any of these signs after your dog has been in or around water, seek veterinary attention immediately. This is an emergency.

How to help prevent it:

Give regular breaks during water play.

Don’t encourage dogs to bite or chase water from hoses or sprinklers for long periods.

Limit long, repetitive fetch sessions in water.

Keep an eye on how much water they’re swallowing, not just how much fun they’re having!

We wanted to share this because many of us had never heard of water intoxication before. Hopefully, by spreading awareness, we can help keep more dogs safe this summer.

Please feel free to share this post—it might help save a dog’s life.