Ice Water Warning

[ozjen]

Thought this might be of interest to everyone:

Cross posted from another list ....

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This was posted on another board with permission to cross post in the

hopes of saving another dog from having to go through this awful

experience.

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Hello Everyone,

I am writing this in hopes that some may learn from what I just went

through.

Well anyway it did not work out that way. After showing we went back to

our site/set up and got the dogs in their crates to cool off. After

being back about 30min. I noticed **** was low on water. I took a hand

full of ice from my cooler and put it in his bucket with more water.

(Note: I use a small Playmate cooler at ringside with ice water in it

also. Have for over 15 years now) I use small 2qt. buckets in my crates.

He had maybe ½ a bucket when I placed him in his crate after coming back

from the ring. We all then started to get all the dogs Ex'ed and food

ready for them.

I have an 18 foot trailer with AC and set up, as a rolling kennel it

fits 7- 42" crates, and MY express Van holds 1- 48", 1- 42", and 3- 36",

crates. All the crates in the van have 24 " box fans over them. I had

**** in his 48' crate in the van because that is the place he loves to

be. He loves to be able to see everyone and everything. After checking

the dogs and thinking they were cooled off enough we fed everyone. As we

were walking around removing the feed dishes from the crates, one of my

friends stated that **** seamed like he was choking. I went over and

checked on him and he was dry heaving and was drooling. I got him out of

the crate to check him over and noticed he had not eaten. He was in some

distress. I checked him over from head to toe and did not notice

anything. I walked him around for about a min. when I noticed that he

was starting to Bloat. I did everything I was taught to do in this case.

I was not able to get him to burp, and we gave

him Phasezime.

We jumped on the golf cart to take him down to the Show vet to find out

that he did not have a bloat kit, He referred us to the clinic that was

to be on call, but we found out that the clinic was closed. After

finding another clinic that was open we rushed **** to that one. We

called ahead and let them know that we were on our way. They were set up

and waiting for us and they got **** stabilized very quickly. After ****

was stable and out of distress we transported **** to AVREC where he

went into surgery to make sure no damage was done to any of his vital

organs. I am very happy to say that **** is doing great, there was no

damage to any vital organs, and he still loves his food.

In surgery the doctor found that ***** stomach was in its normal

anatomic position. The Doctor and I went over the events of what

happened up to the point of **** Bloating. When I told him about the ice

water he asked why I gave him ice water, and have I always done this. I

told him my history behind this practice and his reply was "I have been

very lucky for the past 15 years." The ice water I gave **** caused

violent Muscle spasm in his stomach which caused the bloating. Even

though I figured his temp was down enough to feed, and give him this ice

water his internal temp was still high. Dr. Vogf stated that giving

dog's ice to chew or ice water is a

big NO, NO; there should be no reason for them to have ice/ice water.

Normal water (room Temp.), or cooling with cold towels on the inter

thigh, is the best way to help cool a dog. How Dr. Vogf explained it to

me was like this: If you, as a person fall into a frozen lake what

happens to our muscles? Think about that, then compare that to your

dog's stomach.

I felt the need to share this with everyone, in the hopes that some may

learn from what I went through, I do not wish this on anyone. **** is

home now doing fine. He does not like the fact that he has to be walked

on lead in the yard to keep him from running. He hates not being able to

go out and rough house with the others, but is doing great. So please if

you do use ice and ice water, beware as what could happen.

[nickojoy]

Great tip and its good to know that the dog named **** is ok.

[ChocosMum]

....WOW.... i never knew that..BUT i do now....Im glad all worked out ok for the dog and owner in the end

[stormie]

I've always been wary of my dogs drinking really cold water. When I fill up water bowls on cold mornings, I always make sure I put some hot water in their to warm the water up to room temp.

Glad that **** is ok!!

[jaymatt]

Geez, I am glad the dog survived and is doing well..... That would mean not feeding any frozen meats or treats as well then.. at least I know now as well. Thanks

[VJB]

I would not have known that either. I regularly gave my dog chicken stock iceblocks last summer.. and she loved them. I even think there is something available on the market where you can make your dogs ice blocks, large ones too. Will have to rethink that one. Glad the dog is doing well, and suffered no ill effects.

[Gretel]

My dogs always have ice cubes when I have a drink. They all have for nearly 30 years.

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

this doesn't sound right. i have been giving my dogs ice cubes for years...it sort of doesn't make sense. are you sure this came from a legit source?

[Poo d'état]

That's really interesting, and kind of makes sense. I gave both my dogs iced water after a romp at the park (water was still really cold - basically took a frozen bottle out of the freezer and let it melt while they played, so still a good portion was ice by the time they drank it), and the both threw up foamy stuff a few moments later.

I'm guessing with ice cubes, it's a much slower process lick by lick compared to full, quick gulps?

[becks]

I should think icewater is hitting the stomach while still icey, whereas icecubes tend to get crunched up and warm a lbit in the mouth first?

[Gretel]

I should think icewater is hitting the stomach while still icey, whereas icecubes tend to get crunched up and warm a lbit in the mouth first?

That makes sense. Plus the amount of an ice cube is quite small.

[persephone]

A hot dog- gulping icewater/crushed ice..I can understand the problem.

Frozen kongs, 'iceblocks' ,etc... licked/chewed slowly...nowhere near the risk, IMO.

[cazxxz]

My dog has been getting bones and offal straight from the freezer for a few years now. Should I rethink this approach? Or is it just really cold water and ice that's risky? Hmm.

[MolassesLass]

I found this hard to believe so have been googling and consensus seems to be that it can cause bloat (in any breed of dog) but where a dog is very hot and then given ice or ice water and a substantial quantity not just a mouthfull or one cube.

[CP*]

I think this is an urban myth. It is doing the rounds of US and Canadian dog forums as well.

Based on human physiology it doesnt make sense - the constriction caused by cold internally would probably expel air and the water will not stay cold for very long in the stomach anyway. But I can understand if the dog drank to fast because it was hot - then it may take too much air into its stomach, or it was panting heavily when it was drinking. Human athletes drink cold water when exercising as cold water is absorbed more quickly and therefore they are able to rehydrate more quickly, it also cools core temperatures. I currently work in (human) medicine, but I assume there are similarities between mammals.

Edited July 3, 2009 by CP*