Tips and advice from some of the top names in the dog world.
YOUR PROBLEMS SOLVED
THE EXPERT PANEL
TAMSIN DURSTON is a canine behaviour officer in Dogs Trust’s canine behaviour and research team.
TONY CRUSE is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers.
VICKY PAYNE
BVetMed, MRCVS is a holistic vet based in East Sussex.
HOLLY MASH
BVSc, MRCVS specialises in herbal medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition.
JOANNE ANGUS
LCGI is a founder member of the Guild of Master Groomers.
JOHN BURNS
BVMS, MRCVS is a vet, and founder of feed company Burns Pet Nutrition.
STEPHEN JENKINSON is access adviser to Your Dog, the Kennel Club, and local councils.
HEALTH WHAT IS WATER INTOXICATION?
Q I was online recently and came across an article warning dog owners about the dangers of water intoxication. I’d never heard of this, and our five-year-old Labrador is a keen swimmer. Can you tell me more about it? How would I know if my dog was suffering from it and what should I do if I suspect water intoxication?
Leanne Rogers, Dorset.
VICKY SAYS: Water intoxication is uncommon, but it has recently been discussed a lot on social media. If a dog ingests too much water at a time this dilutes sodium levels in the blood. The kidneys react by producing lots of dilute urine to keep things in balance. Mild water intoxication is seen as a swollen belly, abdominal pain, excessive urination, and sometimes vomiting.
If the fall in blood sodium concentration is too rapid the kidneys can’t act fast enough. As the blood is now containing less sodium than the cells, water flows into the cells causing them to swell. The swelling of brain cells can cause incoordination, confusion, collapse, seizures, and coma. Dogs can develop water intoxication rapidly while on a day out near the water, or they may show symptoms hours later. Most cases have been associated with dogs repeatedly chasing and catching toys in the water as they accidentally swallow water while doing so. Calm swimming and controlled retrieves are less likely to cause a lot of water to be swallowed, but keep sessions short with breaks on dry land.
HEALTH LUMP IT!
Q My eight-year-old Labrador has a lump on her neck near where her collar sits. Should I be worried about it?
Karen Reece, West Midlands.
VICKY SAYS: I recommend that any lump larger than a pea, one that has been present for more than a month, or one that starts to change or irritate a dog, should be checked out by a vet. Sometimes we can ma
