One for You and One for Me!

By Dr. Leslie Ross D.V.M. B.Sc.

Dog parks can provide a package of fun, entertainment and exercise for most extrovert-type dogs; however, there are some hazards that need to be avoided.

One essential priority is to directly supervise interactive play to avoid dog disputes escalating to painful bite wound injuries. Even minor wounds can cause psychological stress to dogs and not uncommonly, may appear minor at first appearance but hidden tissue damage deeper down may be actually the case.

Another priority of importance is to avoid sharing water bowls because shared water can share diseases from one thirsty dog to the next.

Kennel Cough, Canine Influenza, Distemper and Leptospirosis, all can all be passed on this way. To avoid this risk, it is best to bring your own water source for your canine friend so that he can have a lot of fun while you can rest easy that he won’t be coming home with a newly acquired illness.