Goldens and Water borne diseases and parasites

[NamVet4]

I'm happily reading about a lot of you who let your Goldens enjoy the water. However, as a new GR owner I'm concerned about any potential problems. I hope to take Dallas to both salt abd freshwater areas. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!:054

[CanadianGolden423]

My dogs have gone swimming in the Chesapeake Bay, the ocean, brackish water, pools, ponds covered with duckweed and with 10 feet of silt on the bottom...nothing has ever ever happened to them. I think as long as your dog is swimming in reasonably clean water (ie without any known chemical contaminants, etc) it should be fine. You can always rinse them off to lower the risk, but I don't think I know of any dog that got sick from swimming around a little.

Samra

[messano]

The biggest risk to dogs from swimming in fresh (still water) is from Leptospirosis. This is a disease that is passed on by Rats, and potentially fatal to dogs. This is a disease that can also be passed on or caught by humans, in the human form it is known as Weils disease.

I am quite knowledgeable about this disease because I had a suspected case of Weils disease myself after rescuing one of my Bitches who had become entangled in a briar bush whilst swimming in a flooded pond. I was cut on the arm in several places and the Doctor thought that the disease could have entered through the cuts. I had all the symptoms and was given the necessary treatment as a precaution. It can be fatal in some cases and can also cause liver damage in others.

Providing your dog is vaccinated against the disease (it is a component of the multi-vaccine given in the puupy shots) there should not be a great risk.

messano

[tamispray]

My dogs both swim in ponds, lakes, and pools and we have not had any problems, other than fishy smelling dogs! But we have also only had a golden for just over a year. One thing we do though is rinse them off after. Especially if we have recently put chemicals in the pool to keep their skin from getting dry and irritated.

[mybunnyisfunny1]

As a general rule, I won't let my dog swim in water that I would not swim in myself. There are certain beaches where my parents live that are closed a lot in the summer because of certain bacterial problems. I know that dogs are not as susceptible to these things as we are, so perhaps I am being over protective, but that is my general rule.

Erin

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:maroon;">Bi also swims at the beachs here, as well as the rivers and ponds. She has had no problems.

I will say though, Michigan waters are very clean. Every now and again Swimmers Itch will move in and those times since I am not even sure if a dog would have a problem with this, she doesn't go in and neither do I. Just know your waters your allowing your golden in.<img border=0 src="http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/smiles/032.gif" /></span>

[KCGoldens]

I usually check with our vet in the spring to make sure there isn't anything nasty going around that I might not be aware of.
Cayenne loves to go swimming in the summer. The only problem we have ever had are here ears. She can get ear infections easily so we always have to take extra time and care to clean her ears and make sure they are clean and dry when she is done. We also hose her off really well. (she likes this almost as well as swimming! :)

[GoldenBear]

GoldenHeart
What part of Michigan are you from? I grew up in the Up and now I am living about an hour from Detroit. My new baby is only 3 months old so this summer will be his first swim. :029 Love to know where you take him.
Jenny and Bear

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:teal;">Hi Jenny and Bear, I am in the lower part of Michigan. I am guessing you are about 6 or so hours from me. Normally I take her up the road to the beach, about a 25 minute ride. Dogs are allowing on this beach. I also walk her down to the river aways for a quick jump in quite a bit.</span>