Note: We reached out to Wendy Hauser, DVM, to address a new term seen on Facebook.
A recent post to a Facebook pet community page highlights the dangers of ‘secondary drowning’, or non-fatal drowning, which occurs when dogs aspirate water into their lungs. This can happen in many ways, says Hauser. Pets that don’t swim well can inadvertently inhale water during their struggles or when streams of water are forcibly introduced into the oral cavity and accidently inhaled.
Ways to avoid this tragic event include never leaving dogs unattended around water, fencing of pools and other water sources to prevent accidental immersion and the installation of motion sensors or alarms. Teach dogs to swim by introducing them to water gradually and consider floatation vests to help prevent submersion; always use floatation vests when dogs are on boats.
Never allow dogs to bite at streams of water from the hose or sprinklers.”
Source: Wendy Hauser, DVM, Peak Veterinary Consulting. The outcomes of non-fatal drowning include pneumonia, varying in intensity based on the quantity of water inhaled. Non-fatal drowning is a veterinary emergency, and the pet should be evaluated.
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