Summer has arrived and the weather it is hot, hot, hot!
The animals are feeling the heat the most. Your furry best friend may appear sluggish, panting and boiling in the humidity, in need of an ice cold drink to beat the heat.
If you do a quick search on the internet on giving your pooch ice water, you will find conflicting information. For many years, well-known wisdom has said NEVER give your pooch a bowl of ice water, even if they have been running around in the hot sun. But is there any real reason to avoid it?
According to Dr. Will Norris, of Veterinary Associates of Hattiesburg, “Giving your dog ice water is completely safe and acceptable 99% of the time. Many factors can contribute to this possibly being an unsafe process. If your dog is a voracious drinker or loves to eat or swallow ice, complications related to oral abrasion, overfilling of the stomach, or possible choke can occur (although this is not observed frequently in the clinical setting). “
If you give your pooch ice water, can it cause bloat? “Merely giving your dog ice water does not CAUSE bloat. Bloat is caused by overfilling of the stomach with water, food, or even air. Once the stomach is filled or gastric filling occurs, normally the stomach will mix and empty the contents into the small intestine through peristaltic contractions. In Bloat, these contractions cease and ileus occurs.” Dr. Will Norris.
Would that bloat lead to gastric dilation volvulus (GDV)? “Bloat leads to Gastric Dilitation and Volvulus (GDV) when after overfilling of the stomach with food, water, or air, the stomach torses, or twists on itself causing volvulus. Think of inflating a cylindrical balloon with air partially and then twisting it as a clown would. Bloat is overfilling without the twist and much easier to manage from a treatment vantage point. Once the twist occurs (volvulus), this is a serious and life threatening emergency.” Dr. Will Norris.
Would that bloat lead to gastric dilation volvulus (GDV)? In the process of torsion or volvulus, many blood vessels that supply the greater and lesser curvature and the pyloric region of the stomach will also become "twisted" and thus pinched off. This decrease in arterial, oxygen rich blood flow to the stomach wall can lead to necrosis (death of the tissue). Thankfully, up to 60% of the stomach can be resected or removed and the patient can retain normal function if they are attended too Quickly.
Oftentimes at surgery, necrosis can be so severe, that surgical resection cannot be achieved. Likewise, reperfusion injury can occur following untwisting of the stomach and lead to cardiac arrhythmias and other life threatening problems.
While providing ice water does not directly cause bloat or GDV, it is often considered a risk factor. Some large breed pet owners will choose to perform a prophylactic gastropexy at the time of spay/neuter to prevent complications related to bloat and GDV. I perform most of these on Great Danes, Standard Poodles, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, and other large breed, deep chested dogs following owner consultation.
Ice water or no?
So next time your furry family pet gets over heated give your precious friend a few sips of tepid water wait a half an hour and then give the ice-cube if you must. Most important is to moderate the drinking and don’t allow your dog to rapidly gulp the water – especially on those hot summer days.
The tepid water and the panting will cool them down without causing any possible health issues. Remember always give your dog a pat and a treat and NEVER leave your dog in a hot car even with the windows open. Opt out of taking then with you and leave them home in the safety of your air-conditioned home! They will thank you for it later.
Written by: Julie Bradford
Credited: Dr. Will Norris, Veterinary Associates of Hattiesburg