Recognize the Signs of Water Inhalation
If your dog inhales water, whether from swimming, drinking, or bathing, you may notice immediate signs of respiratory distress. The most common symptoms of water inhalation in dogs include:
- Coughing or choking
- Wheezing or trouble breathing
- Blue gums or tongue
Coughing is the body’s way of trying to expel water from the airways and lungs. Wheezing or labored breathing indicates swelling and inflammation making it difficult for the dog to get enough air. Blue gums or tongue signify a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream (Source 1).
These signs may occur right after the dog inhales water or could develop over the next day or two as fluid accumulates in the lungs. This is sometimes called “secondary drowning” or “dry drowning.” Either way, respiratory distress signals the dog has inhaled water into the lungs and immediate treatment is required.
Stay Calm
It’s understandable to feel panicked in an emergency situation where your dog inhales water, but it’s important to try to remain calm. Panicking can waste precious time and prevent you from thinking clearly. Take a deep breath and tell yourself “I can handle this.” Your dog will pick up on your energy, so staying calm will help keep your dog calm as well.
Act quickly but with purpose. Focus on getting your dog safely out of the water and assessing the situation. Shouting or running around frantically will only add stress. Remind yourself that the best way to help is to stay calm, get your dog to safety, and efficiently follow the steps to assist them.
Speak in a soothing, reassuring tone as you lift your dog from the water. This will help reduce any anxiety and prevent them from thrashing around. Having a calm demeanor shows your dog that you are in control of the situation.
While urgent action is required, panicking will only delay helping your dog. Staying calm allows you to respond rationally and potentially save your dog’s life.
Get the Dog Out of the Water
If your dog is in the water and unable to get out on their own, you must act quickly and safely to lift them out. Be extremely cautious when retrieving your dog from the water, as entering unsafe waters puts both you and your dog at risk of drowning.
If possible, use a long object like a pool skimmer, hook, pole, or branch to pull your dog near enough to grab them without having to enter the water yourself. If you must enter the water, only do so if conditions are safe for you. Remove any heavy or restricting clothing first and bring something buoyant to grasp in case you struggle.
Approach your dog carefully from behind and loop your arms under their belly to lift. Let their head hang down to allow any water to drain out. Lifting by the scruff may cause further injury, so support their full body weight against your chest and under their hind legs if possible. Work slowly and use caution lifting larger dogs.
Pool safety nets, ramps, or steps may make it easier to retrieve your dog. If a pool lacks stairs, set up an emergency exit ramp or ladder before another accident occurs. Fence off unfenced pools when not supervised.
Ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans each pose unique hazards based on depth, current, temperature, and access. Only enter natural waters in a controlled, supervised manner with proper equipment and training. If your dog falls through ice, call emergency responders for assistance.
Once your dog is safely out of the water, immediately begin first aid and get them medical attention. With fast action, many dogs can recover after inhaling water, but timing is critical.
Check Breathing
After getting your dog out of the water, it’s crucial to immediately check if they are breathing properly. Look for the rise and fall of their chest and listen closely near their nose and mouth for airflow.
Count how many breaths they take in 30 seconds and then multiply by 2 to get their breaths per minute. A healthy dog at rest normally takes 10 to 30 breaths per minute. If their breathing seems abnormal, slow, fast, noisy, or labored, it indicates a breathing problem.
Gently open their mouth to check for obstructions like water, vomit, sticks or leaves that could be blocking their airway. If you see an obstruction, gently remove it with your fingers. Be careful not to push any object further down their throat.
If your dog is unconscious and not breathing, their airway may be blocked so they cannot get air into their lungs. In this emergency situation, you will need to perform CPR right away.
Clear Airway if Needed
If your dog is choking but still conscious, you’ll need to clear their airway. Gently pull their tongue forward and sweep your finger inside their mouth to remove any foreign objects, food, vomit, or saliva blocking their throat. Be careful not to force anything down their throat further. According to firstaidforpets.net, placing pressure under their jaw can sometimes dislodge objects stuck in their throat.
Do not perform the Heimlich maneuver on a dog, as this can cause internal damage. Simply clear away any blockages you can reach safely. Monitor their breathing, and if they still cannot breathe adequately, immediately bring them to the vet for emergency care.
Perform CPR if Not Breathing
If your dog is unconscious and not breathing normally, it is critical to begin CPR immediately to try to revive them and get oxygen circulating. According to the video demonstration from Pro Pet Hero, the proper technique for dog CPR is as follows:
- Lay the dog on their right side on a firm, flat surface.
- Kneel beside the dog’s back, placing one hand on each side of the chest cavity.
- Compress the chest firmly downwards about 1-3 inches, with both hands simultaneously.
- Aim for 100-120 chest compressions per minute, which equates to just under 2 compressions per second.
- Allow the chest to fully re-expand in between compressions.
- Check for breathing every few cycles of compressions.
- Continue giving compressions until breathing is restored or until you can get veterinary help.
Time is critical when a dog nearly drowns, so do not hesitate to begin CPR immediately if the dog is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Proper technique, as described above, gives the dog the best chance of survival.
Get to the Vet Immediately
An emergency vet visit is essential after a near drowning incident. Even if your dog seems to be breathing normally again, there could still be serious complications. Water in the lungs can cause inflammation, infection, and fluid buildup over the next few days.
According to Northeast Animal Hospital, “Your pet has likely inhaled water into its lungs. The chlorinated pool water or lake water enters the lungs and causes inflammation, infection, and fluid accumulation shortly thereafter. It is imperative that your pet see a veterinarian immediately, even if they seem to be breathing normally following the event.”
Some signs that your dog needs emergency vet care after inhaling water include labored breathing, pale or blue gums, coughing, lethargy, and collapsing. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve – get to the vet immediately for assessment and oxygen therapy. Delaying treatment could allow fluid buildup and pneumonia to develop, putting your dog’s life at risk.
The vet will likely do x-rays to check for water in the lungs and provide supplemental oxygen using a face mask or enclosure. They may give medications like diuretics to prevent fluid accumulation. With quick veterinary treatment, most dogs survive drowning incidents, as long as irreversible damage has not already occurred. Always err on the side of caution and seek emergency vet care right away if your dog inhales any amount of water, to give them the best chance of a full recovery. According to WagWalking, “Timing is critical and prompt treatment will yield the best results.”
Monitor Recovery
After your dog inhales water, they should be monitored closely for the next 24-48 hours for any signs of complications or secondary drowning, even if they seem to be recovering normally at first. Some symptoms to watch for include:
- Coughing or trouble breathing
- Excessive sleepiness or lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Cyanotic (blue) gums or tongue
Secondary drowning happens when water left in the lungs causes inflammation and fluid buildup over the next day or so after the water inhalation incident. This can lead to impaired oxygen exchange and carbon dioxide removal. If you notice any of these warning signs, take your dog back to the veterinarian immediately for evaluation and supportive care such as oxygen therapy. Timely treatment greatly improves chances of a full recovery.
Your vet may want to do repeat x-rays of your dog’s chest to check for fluid buildup or pneumonia developing after the water inhalation. Follow all at-home care instructions provided by your veterinarian closely during the recovery period. Restrict activity and do not allow your dog to get overexerted until given the all-clear by your vet. With proper monitoring and post-incident care, most dogs make a full recovery after inhaling water, but secondary complications can be serious if left untreated.
Prevent Future Accidents
The best way to handle a dog water inhalation incident is to prevent it from happening in the first place. There are several steps pet owners can take to reduce the risk of accidental drowning for dogs:
Fence in pools and hot tubs. Dogs should not have unsupervised access to pools or hot tubs, as they can easily fall in and be unable to get themselves out. Install proper fencing and gates to restrict access.
Use a dog life jacket. Any time a dog will be near or in water for swimming or boating, they should wear a properly fitted dog life jacket. This will keep them buoyant if they become tired or have trouble.
Provide swimming lessons. Dogs can be taught to swim and how to handle themselves in the water. Lessons build confidence, strength and endurance for swimming safely.
Train recall around water. Solid training on the “come” command can help call dogs back from the edges of water before an accident happens.
Supervise play near water. Direct supervision any time a dog is near a pool, tub, lake or other water is key to preventing accidents.
Taking steps proactively greatly reduces the chances a scary water emergency will occur. Dogs have drowned even in small amounts of water, so owners must be vigilant. For more tips, see AKC Tips for Water Safety.
Know Drowning Risks
Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to drowning accidents than others. Breeds with short snouts like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers can have trouble regulating their breathing and are at higher risk of inhaling water (http://assets.prod.vetlearn.com.s3.amazonaws.com/mmah/20/36c72527524f05be65ba11beee8329/filePV_30_06_340.pdf).
Dogs that are not strong swimmers like Basset Hounds and Corgis can also struggle in the water. Their short legs and heavy bodies make swimming difficult. Even breeds that are naturally good swimmers like Labradors can still drown if they get tired or disoriented.
Letting your dog drink while exercising intensely increases their risk of inhaling water. Their breathing is heavier during exercise, so they may accidentally inhale water while lapping it up. It’s safer to provide water breaks before and after any strenuous playtime.