Swimming Safety for Dogs

Royal Canin Fit

Photo credit: the incredibly stylish @paddington_pup

Just like us, sunburn is a concern for Australian pets thanks to high levels of UV radiation. Sunlight reflecting off water can worsen sunburn, so it's best to shorten your dog's swimming session if it's during the warmest part of the day, especially in summer. UV resistant sunsuits are available for pets particularly prone to sunburn, otherwise dog-safe sunscreen can be applied to at-risk areas like the ears, nose and belly. You should avoid using human sunscreens as they contain ingredients that are unsuitable for a dog's skin, and may be toxic.

Heat stroke is also a concern, so watching for signs of overheating during or after exercise is important. Signs to watch for include excessive panting, drooling, vomiting, collapse and gum discolouration. Long-haired, dark-coloured, brachycephalic, and overweight dogs are at higher risk of developing heatstroke.

Read more about summer care in our article Get Your Pet Summer Ready

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Water Toxicity Risks

Microscopic view of Giardia, a water parasite. Photo by Eva Nohynkova, licensed on Wikipedia Commons.

For some dogs, it's not enough to just immerse their body in water - they also need to have a good taste of whatever it is that they're swimming in! Although this may seem innocent, drinking anything except for clean, fresh water can pose a serious health risk. Please note that swallowing a bit of water while swimming is almost inevitable, and is very unlikely to have any ill effects. Active drinking of the water, however, should be discouraged.

Salt water

Just like in humans, consumption of salt water in dogs can lead to salt toxicity, or hypernatraemia. The excess salt draws water out of the body's cells and into the circulation, creating a potentially deadly electrolyte imbalance. While a mild salt toxicity may only result in some diarrhoea or vomiting, a more severe case can cause extreme dehydration, muscle tremors, seizures, kidney damage, and even death.

Sandy water

A small amount of sand ingestion is unlikely to cause anything more than a mild tummy upset. Unfortunately some dogs develop a taste for sand and put themselves at risk of sand impaction, which is an intestinal blockage caused by a build-up of sand in the gastrointestinal tract. This can make your dog very ill and usually requires surgery to fix. Signs of sand impaction include vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and lethargy.

Chlorinated water

While the chlorine level in the average pool is generally quite low and safe for dogs to consume in small amounts, too much chlorinated water can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and oesophageal irritation. High concentrations of chlorine (eg. in an improperly maintained pool) are toxic and can prove fatal.

Dam/river water

Stagnant, dirty or slow-moving water in a pond, dam or river may contain a range of nasty organisms including bacteria, parasites such as Giardia, or toxins like blue-green algae. If ingested, many of these can make your dog very unwell and may cause death. Some organisms, like Giardia, are zoonotic and can be passed from affected dogs to humans. It's recommended to avoid any water that appears dirty or stagnant especially in the warmer months.

In summary, it's best to not let your dog drink anything except clean, fresh water provided by you. If your dog is showing any concerning signs after ingesting other sources of water, it is important to take them to a vet as soon as possible.

Fish and Marine Life Risks

While your dog might want to touch noses with any creature they come across, those creatures may not want to return the favour! With Australia's beautiful beaches come some dangerous marine critters that it's important to be aware of. While it's advised not to let your dog near any wildlife or marine animals, there are some that can cause a lot of harm and should be avoided at all costs. Inspecting beaches for bluebottles, puffer fish or other hazards before letting your dog off-leash is strongly recommended.

Hook, Line and Sinker

Source: Anne Nygard from Unsplash.

Fishing equipment is another common hazard, particularly around waterways used for fishing.

Fish hooks may be left lying on shores or jetties or left embedded in dead fish, and their fishy odour makes them very attractive to a lot of dogs. Fish hooks can cause all sorts of injuries when swallowed, including puncture of the oesophagus, windpipe or stomach, as well as injuries to the lips, gums and throat. They may also become embedded in other areas of the body, most commonly the paw. If you suspect your dog has come in contact with a fish hook, or even if you can see the fish hook stuck, it's important to keep them calm and transport them to a vet clinic as soon as possible. It is not recommended to attempt to remove the hook yourself as this can lead to further damage and/or worsen bleeding. In most cases sedation will be needed to remove the hook, and if it has been swallowed, surgery may be required.

Hooks aren't the only things that can be dangerous if eaten. Fishing line can entangle in the intestines, causing a blockage. Fishing weights, or sinkers, can also cause an obstruction- and those that are made out of lead are toxic, which results in a delayed lead toxicity as the coating is gradually dissolved by stomach acids.

If you are concerned your dog may have swallowed something they shouldn't, whether it's a hook, line, sinker, or something else entirely, it's best to get them checked by a vet.

Ear Care

Source: water-loving pup @alki_the_dog

Read more about the treatment and management of ear infections in our article Ear Infections in Dogs

Skin Care

Having an excitable wet dog that takes a long time to dry can be frustrating, but did you know that a damp coat can also pose a health hazard for your pup? A coat that is wet for a prolonged period traps water near the skin and this can develop into a localised skin infection, known as moist dermatitis or a hot spot. This area of rapidly growing infection can become a much larger, moist, oozing wound very quickly. While this is more common in dogs with long or thick coats, or in pets with existing allergies, short-haired dogs can also be affected. For at-risk dogs we recommend sticking to morning swim sessions so their fur has adequate time to dry before nightfall, and for dogs that suffer recurrent hot spots it may be necessary to avoid swimming entirely in the cooler months. You can also consider a thorough towel dry, or even a blow dry, after swimming.

Please note: if you're concerned your pet may have a hot spot, a visit to your vet is strongly recommended. The hair in the affected area may need to be clipped, and antibiotics and pain relief can be prescribed. Left untreated, the infection can continue to spread.

If your dog swims in a sandy or muddy environment, you may need to bathe them more regularly. Many shampoos can dry your dog's skin out if you use them too often, so I recommend a gentle, moisturising oatmeal-based shampoo.

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