Dog dies from drinking too much water
A DEVASTATED dog owner has issued a warning after her beloved Jack Russell died from drinking too much water.
Two-year-old Grub had spent the afternoon cooling down in a paddling pool when he fell ill.
He was rushed to the vets but sank into a coma and died from brain damage caused by water intoxication.
Businesswoman Melanie Whitehead and husband Lyndon Smith, 50, had just arrived at their holiday home in south-west France when they decided to set up a paddling pool for their dogs – Grub, Quercy and Monti – after the long hot drive last weekend.
Melanie, 44, said: “Grub was bouncing around biting at the hose pipe. The pool wasn’t even half full when Lyndon said, ‘That’s enough now lads’ and put the hose pipe away.
“Grub got this look like ‘Come on, Dad, let’s play some more’.” But minutes later he started to stagger and vomited and urinated “masses” of water. She added: “I read about water intoxication and it said to seek immediate help so we got Grub in the car.
“I ran into the vets with him draped over my shoulder. They whisked him off but that night we got a call to say he’d died.
“It was heartbreaking. I can’t bring Grub back but I’m determined not to let his death be in vain.”
Water intoxication, which also affects humans, results when the balance of salt in the body is disrupted by excessive water intake.
Katy Orton, a vet nurse with animal charity PDSA, said: “Whilst dogs should always have access to clean drinking water, it’s a good idea to avoid playing games which involve pressurised hose pipes or extended games of fetch in water.
“If owners see symptoms such as lack of coordination, lethargy, bloating, vomiting, seizures, collapse or difficulty breathing they should seek immediate veterinary attention.”