Vet’ s warning over hot tub chemicals danger to pet dogs

AFife pet emergency service is warning dog owners to be vigilant after a puppy was involved in a hot tub accident.

One-year-old Labrador Cooper was saved by specialists at Vets Now after a summer’s day in the garden turned to horror for his owners.

Cooper’s owner Joanne McGovern made a tearful call to the company’s emergency service, fearing she was going to lose her pet.

“We’ve always been really cautious with the hot tub, but Cooper has never shown any interest in it,” said Joanne.

“It was a lovely day and my partner had topped up the chemicals, put the hot tub jets on and popped into the house for a moment.

“I was in the living room and Cooper came in like he was gasping for breath.

I ran into the garden and when I saw water on the steps by the tub, I realised he’d got up and licked the foam with all the chemicals. “It was so scary.

“We phoned Vets Now right away, and they said to put him in the car and get him to them just as fast as we could.

“It was longest journey of my life. I was crying all the way and kept talking to him to make sure he was still with us.”

Vets Now operates more than 60 pet health centres across the UK from its headquarters in Dunfermline.

And call centre worker Joanne is backing their vets’ calls for hot tub owners to take extra care to prevent the chemicals causing a tragedy.

Joanne was able to tell staff which cleaning products were used in the tub and read out the chemicals they contained, including chlorine.

“When we did the examination, Cooper was making a noise similar to reverse sneezing,” says vet Nicole Laws.

“Cooper’s case highlights the dangers of hot tubs for pet owners.

“We have seen numerous cases involving pets almost drowning or suffering an extreme reaction after inhaling treated hot tub water into their lungs.

“Owners should always keep their dog away from them or cover them when not in use.”

The Vets Now team treated Cooper and monitored his condition for a few hours before a hugely relieved Joanne took him home with medication for his airways and eyes.

The pup has made a full recovery, but mum-of-two Joanne knows things could have been different.

“It was really frightening,” she said.

“It happened so quickly. I would never have left my wee girls unattended by the hot tub and you’ve got to be every bit as cautious with dogs.”

Vets Now are open seven days a week for emergencies and their services include online video consultation for non-emergencies.

If your pet needs an in-person follow-up, Vets Now will refund the online consultation fee, so you never pay twice.

HAZARD: One-year-old Cooper needed emergency treatment after licking the hot tub foam which contains chemicals.