Risks for pets from waterborne diseases

Did you know that your pet or animal companion is at just as much risk of contracting a waterborne illness as you are?

Many outdoor Enthusiasts take along their pets when hiking or camping.  Animal companions like dogs and horses can contract infectious diseases from contaminated water.  The same effects humans get from coming in contact with a contaminated water source can affect your dog, especially puppies.

Your animal not only can contract a waterborne illness from drinking contaminated water, but they may also pass along viruses or bacteria from running, splashing and playing in contaminated water.

Water safety for pets:

   ·         Don't let your pet enter or drink from water that has a rotten egg smell or dead fish floating in it.

·         Crystal clear water does not mean it's safe to drink or swim in - try to get closer to the source to see where the water is coming from.

    

   ·         Be sure to use proper hygiene and wash your hands with filtered and disinfected water after handling an animal which has been running and playing in freshwater, and before handling food, eating, etc.

    

    ·         Avoid allowing your animal companion or yourself from swimming, wading or diving in stagnant water, ponds, water contaminated with effluent (wastewater from a treatment plant), as you may contract dangerous amoeba  (the brain eating kind) through splashing water into eyes, up your nose, into ears, etc.

    

   ·         Understand the seriousness and types of Bacteria, Viruses, Parasites and Protozoa found in freshwater and the diseases or illnesses they cause.

    

    ·         As an extra measure of safety for you and your animal companion - you should use a both a portable water purifier and portable water filter when obtaining drinking water from a freshwater source.

   

    ·         Basically, use the same caution for your animal companion, as you would for yourself when it comes to playing in, and drinking from a fresh water source.