A VET nurse has issued a stern warning to all dog owners – and if you don’t listen, it could end up costing you thousands of pounds.
Jade, a Registered Veterinary Nurse from the UK who has three dogs and three tortoises, has revealed why animal lovers should never let dogs drink from communal water bowls.
A vet nurse has issued an urgent warning to all dog owners[/caption]
As the weather heats up, pet parents will need to take notes to ensure their pooches are kept safe this summer[/caption]
Jade stressed why dog owners should avoid letting their pets drink from communal water bowls[/caption]
She claimed that such water bowls can spread parasites like Roundworm, Tapeworm, Giardia and Lungworm[/caption]
So if you’ve got a furry friend and want to ensure they are kept safe and also save yourself having to spend time going back and forth to the vets, then you’ve come to the right place and will need to listen up.
Posting on social media, Jade, who previously revealed the five ‘high-maintenance’ dog breeds she would never own, explained why dog owners should avoid letting their pets drink from communal water bowls that have been left outside, whether that’s outside a person’s house, the shops, at a dog park or even in a pub garden.
Sharing the dangers of such communal dog bowls, Jade explained: “Whilst these bowls are put out with good intentions, they can often be a source of contamination – they can risk spreading infectious diseases through multiple dogs drinking out of them and I don’t recommend that anyone lets their dogs drink out of these communal bowls, nor do I recommend that you actually put them outside of your houses or shops or at the dog park.
“The thing with these dog bowls is that you don’t know how long that water’s been sat there, you don’t know if it’s fresh, if it’s stagnant, you don’t know when the last time that bowl was cleaned or what it was cleaned with and you don’t know what other animals have been drinking out of it because don’t forget, wildlife can drink out of these bowls as well.”
Jade then acknowledged that such dog bowls could leave you with extremely costly vet bills, as she added: “So, the thing with these bowls is that they can spread parasites like Roundworm, Tapeworm, Giardia and Lungworm, because again, you’re going to get slugs that come up and they’re gonna go all around the edge of those bowls, which can be a great way to transmit Lungworm.
“They can also transmit infectious diseases such as Leptospirosis, Kennel Cough, Canine Papillomavirus and they can also be a reservoir for bacteria to grow such as Salmonella and E. Coli that can really upset your dog’s tummy.”
While vet bills can vary massively around the UK, such issues can cost anywhere from £15 to £1,000 for treatment.
Leptospirosis in particular can be incredibly costly, with hospitalisation and treatment costing dog owners up to £1,300.
Meanwhile, Lungworm can cost over £200 for treatment, plus £100 for consultation and monitoring, while Canine Papillomavirus, a viral infection that causes benign, wart-like growths, can cost owners up to £400, which includes surgical or topical removal.
Subsequently, Jade stressed that she “strongly advises” all dog owners to “not let your dogs drink out of these water bowls.”
Instead, she advised: “If you want to take some water with you, great, take a travel bowl and a bottle of water and just stop occasionally to give your dog a drink, but please do not let your dogs drink out of these communal water bowls.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @jade.the.vet.nurs, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 60,000 views.
Totally agree, I never allow my dogs to drink out of these bowls
TikTok user
Not only this, but it’s also amassed 1,575 likes, 156 comments and 1,094 shares.
Social media users were thankful for Jade’s advice and many dog owners flocked to the comments to agree with her.
More summer risks to dogs
EXPERTS are warning pet owners to be vigilant when it comes to taking their dogs out this summer – especially when it comes to taking them to the beach.
Dr Rebecca MacMillan says it is important that dog parents are well prepped to ensure a safe trip away with their dog.
From consumption of salt water, to open holes, the Gloucestershire-based vet says there are hidden hazards to look out for.
Angela Laws, who is head of community at British pet-sitting platform TrustHousesitters, also urges pet owners to “prioritise safety” and to “be aware of potential hazards.”
Preventing injuries
Large holes can be hidden amongst the sand, which can cause injury if your dog trips or falls into it.
Dr Rebecca is warning pet owners, as if you are playing fetch with them, your dog might not be “expecting a hole” as they are running, which can cause them to fall and injure themselves.
Talking to the Femail, Dr Rebecca also wanted to be mindful of other beach-going pets if you and your dog choose to dig a hole and to fill it back up before heading off.
Food for thought
Although you would never dream of drinking the water from the sea, your pets may view it as a large bowl of water for them.
However, seawater consumption is extremely dangerous for your dogs according to Dr Rebecca.
Drinking saltwater can disrupt the “balance of electrolyte in the body and cause dehydration,” according to Rebecca.
This is also the case for sand as too much sand can cause a painful obstruction, “which may require surgery.”
Check the temperature
Just like humans, pets can get heat stroke too.
It is most likely to occur when the body’s temperature rises above 36C and hits 40C.
Dr Rebbeca suggests caution when the weather outside hits 25C, and especially if it’s over 27C.
She also warned pet owners to do their research on the type of breed of their dog, as some will be much more “prone to heatstroke.”
Dr Rebecca says these dogs include flat-faced dogs like pugs and bulldogs, and large breeds with thick coats.
She urges dog parents to make sure their pet is well hydrated, try to keep them in the shade and remember to be aware of their paws burning on the ground.
Digging dangers
Dr Rebecca there could be anything from discarded BBQ’s with hot coals, to broken glass or sharp objects.
She said: “If your pooch is prone to digging, make sure you’re nearby in case of any unexpected finds.”
One person said: “I always take a collapsible dog bowl, never ever take that risk.”
Another added: “Totally agree, I never allow my dogs to drink out of these bowls.”
A third commented: “ALWAYS take water with you when walking your dog.
“The amount of people I see walking their dog/s and having no water with them. My dog has winter and summer water bottles.”
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