As temperatures continue to rise, pet owners often find themselves looking for fun ways to beat the heat with their pets. Floridians are lucky to have a plethora of options to choose from ranging from backyard pools, dog beaches or maybe even a backyard lake or pond.
These are all great options, but a certain amount of care and caution should be used any time a pet is dipping their toes, diving after a ball or just going for a leisurely swim.
Pet Safety Tips
Freshwater Threats
Florida’s semi-tropical climate makes very hospitable conditions for all sorts of creatures, and not all of them are friendly. Alligators and poisonous snakes are common among fresh bodies of water. There are stories almost every year about pets being snatched by alligators while walking the banks of ponds or canals. Extreme caution should be used if a pet is wanting to explore a local body of water.
The other freshwater threat comes from blue-green algae. Blue-green algae is also known as cyanobacteria, and some types of cyanobacteria are toxic. Cyanobacteria multiplies quickly in warmer waters, which is why it is more commonly seen during the late spring and summer.
If a body of water, fresh or salty, has a stained tint or any type of scum on top, it is best to avoid the water until conditions improve. Some but not all cyanobacteria are toxic to humans and pets. A pet would need to either drink the water or ingest it while playing or swimming.
Symptoms of cyanobacteria exposure can include but are not limited to:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Pale mucous membranes
- Jaundice
- Weakness
- Stumbling
- Muscle tremors
- Rigidity
- Excess salivation
- Blood in urine
- Foaming at the mouth
- Difficulty breathing
- Respiratory paralysis
- Convulsion
- Seizures
Consult a veterinarian immediately upon observation of any of these symptoms.
Saltwater Risks
Saltwater itself can be harmful to pets if ingested in high amounts. In 2018, a pet died after a trip to a Central Florida beach. A veterinarian found the dog suffered from a condition known as hypernatremia — too much salt in their system. Even though the pet had been to the beach dozens of times in the past without incident, the last proved fatal.
Dogs typically will not seek out saltwater to drink on their own, but if they are playing in rough surf or chasing a ball, saltwater can easily be ingested at toxic levels.
The best way to prevent this is to provide the pet with plenty of fresh water and take frequent breaks from playing in the water. There are lots of great collapsible dishes perfect for a trip to the beach. Ensure the pet has access to a shaded area to keep them cool when they are not in the water.
Signs of saltwater poisoning often do not appear until 24 hours after leaving the beach. They include:
- Increased or excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
- weakness or lethargy
- confusion or disorientation
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- seizures
- twitching or trembling muscles
Greater Tampa Bay has several dog-friendly beaches in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. They are:
It is always a good idea to check the water quality conditions before heading to the beach. Cyanobacteria is not the only threat. Waterways can sometimes be fouled by fecal coliform and enterococcus bacteria. The Florida Department of Health tests the waters of most public beaches and will issue an advisory if it is unsafe to enter the water. Check the DOH’s Florida Healthy Beaches Program before loading up the pups for beach day.
Saltwater pools are not a serious concern. The salinity level of a saltwater pool is nowhere near the level of the gulf, containing only about one tenth the amount of salinity in comparison. It is not recommended that a pet drink the water from such a pool, but in minimal quantities, it is not really harmful.
By Dr. Melissa Webster, Tampa Veterinary Hospital
Head to our piece on living with pets in Greater Tampa Bay here.
