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The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

This study reports the side effects in dogs from swimming in a chlorinated swimming pool. Data werecollected from September 2008 until April 2012. A total of 412 dogs (male= 219 and female= 193), aged 38±30 months,served as the subjects. The dogs were divided into four groups based on the aims of swimming: entertainment (n=152), weight reduction (n= 53), rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery (n= 81), and rehabilitation for muscle and jointdisease (n= 126). The data were recorded for five separate swimming times. At first, some dogs (29.13%) showedoverexcitement and/or fear, but this percentage decreased with increased swimming frequency. Some dogs (36.51%)were not able to swim, and required a trainer. The main side effects from the 1st swimming time included dry hair(20.63%), dry skin (18.93%), and abrasion wounds at the armpits (15.78%); these effects increased with increasedfrequency of swimming. Other side effects were red eyes (13.59%), otitis (6.31%), and a small number of respiratoryproblems (0.49%). In conclusion, data from this study can be used by veterinarians to inform pet owners about thepotential side effects from swimming in chlorinated swimming pools.

Publisher

Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University

First Page

281

Last Page

286

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