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- Eliot Kaplan, DVM -
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for dogs, and is a great way to keep them cool during the hot summer. But at our practice, we have occasionally seen a problem resulting from swimming which can be life threatening.
The dog involved is usually less than 35 pounds and the typical history is that the dog has been at the beach all day. During the majority of that time, the dog is in the water swimming around, fetching sticks, etc. The problem occurs when some dogs ingest an incredible amount of water during the course of the day. This causes a dilution of electrolytes in the patient's blood and a cascade of events ensues.
Initially, the owners may notice their pet's walking has become uncoordinated - almost like they are drunk. But if treatment does not occur quickly, brain swelling (cerebral edema) can result and these dogs become comatose. In other words, they collapse and become no responsive.
The diagnosis is based on the history of recent swimming and low serum electrolytes. The treatment is intravenous fluid with electrolytes given SLOWLY. If the treatment is given before irreparable brain damage has occurred, the patients do well and usually leave the hospital within 24 hours of admission. But if the brain swelling has resulted in severe brain damage before response to treatment can be seen, then these dogs are usually euthanized or they die because they never come out of their comas.
This is not to say that swimming for small dogs is forbidden. It simply means that after an hour or two of swimming, get the dog out of the water for at least an hour to let the system catch up and eliminate the excess water the dog might have consumed while swimming.
Eliot Kaplan, DVM
Tri Lake Animal Hospital
Phone: (250) 766-3236
Toll Free: 1-866-766-3236
Fax: (250) 766-3237
Email:
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