Drowning or Near-Drowning
- Remove your pet from the water.
- If your dog is unconscious, lift him up by the hind legs to allow water to come out of the nose and mouth.
- Lay your dog down on either side with his head slightly lower than his body and his head and neck extended.
- Pull the tongue forward and expel any water from the lungs and stomach by gently pushing on the abdomen and chest.
- Check your dog's vital signs and perform CPR if needed.
- Place a blanket around your dog to keep him warm.
- Take your dog to a veterinary hospital immediately.
- Do not fail to take your dog to a vet just because resuscitation is successful! There are many secondary complications that can develop following a near-drowning event (electrolyte imbalances, pneumonia)
- Do not leave the pet unattended following a near-drowning event, as he may be confused and go back into the water.
- Do not leave small pets unattended in a bathtub.
Most dogs are instinctively able to swim, however once in a pool they will go to the nearest edge of the pool to try to climb out. They can continue to try to climb out and can become fatigued, resulting in drowning.
Pets that spend time on boats or around the water should wear life jackets to prevent an accident in the event of an unintentional fall into the water or a muscle cramp while swimming.
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If you have a pool, make sure your dog knows where the stairs are located in order to exit the pool safely. Pet stairs and ramps can be purchased and added to pools as well.
This above ground pool has an added dog ramp.
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