Swimming in streams

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Possum

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So little Katie (all 5kg of scruffy terrier) has discovered that since her walks around our new house are mainly along little streams and the weather's got a bit warmer, going in for a quick dip is great fun.

I know that she shouldn't ever be allowed to swim in still or stagnant water, we never let her in when there are ducks or geese around and she's sensible enough to not get in unless there's a nice shallow gradient that she can walk in/out (although we're obviously always on hand if she does need an extra pull if the sides are slippery). She only tends to go in for a couple of seconds, have a bit of a splash, cool down then comes straight out.

If she gets any braver then I'll keep her on a long line in case of emergency or stop her going in altogether, but is there anything else I need to be aware of health-wise? Things like Weil's disease are a risk for people accidentally swallowing canal/river water, is this a risk for dogs?

Thanks :)
 
My rescue dog has just "discovered" the wet stuff, and loves poddling around in our local river.

I have it in the back of my mind that there IS a nasty disease that dogs can get from river water (and pass on to humans), think........ scratching head......... that it was in the Daily Mail newspaper recently???? It was just a page article, and didn't give a lot of detail. I can't remember the name of the nasty disease, think it was Leptospirosis??? Or something sounding very much like it??? If Leptospirosis, then I am sure there is a vaccination available against it. It would be a shame if doglet couldn't go in the water as she loves it so much.

Any vets or vet nurses on here?? Anyone know???
 
We have a pond at the edge of our field that connects into a small flowing river - end of 2014 our lab got tetanus and the only place she had been was in that pond, which isn't even deep enough to swim in.
We can only assume that she picked up the tetanus there so please be aware of any signs of tetanus in your dog, it's a horrible disease and I would hate for another dog to potentially suffer from it!!
 
Lepto is caught from rats etc urinating into water.....puddles, streams, lakes, ponds, whatever. If your dog is vaccinated it should have a reasonable protection against lepto but titre test if you want to make doubly sure.

Main issues with water for dogs is submerged obstacles. I would never encourage a dog to jump into water as you see some gundog people doing....unless you've been in the water you don't know what's below the surface. Neither do you know the strength of the current of the river/stream. So, be prepared to run down river to aid your mutt out if necessary. At this time of year watch out for water birds nesting in the reeds.....many dogs quite like a snack of duck eggs or ducklings! :0

Make sure that your recall is good in water....just 'cos it works on land doesn't mean it works in water! Same applies to any directional cues you may have. This is especially important as lambs/sheep are out in abundance at the moment. You may be walking on a stock-free field, but if mutt traverses the river he could well find himself in with livestock.

Think that's about it! :)
 
Thanks everyone. I'll look up the symptoms of tetanus so we're clued-up, that sounds awful, I hope your dog was ok.

CT - I did find that out recently because our vets have started offering a free 2nd lepto booster each year so Katie went back 4 weeks after her annual jab for a top-up. Hopefully as well because her booster was in March, by September it should be getting a bit cold for dipping!
 
Possum..as I understand it the new lepto vaccine is in two parts..you have to have the second one,or it isn't a complete course.
In years past Ive always gone for the one off lepto shot which lasts six months,as does this new one.
However there is some concern over this new vaccine ,and this year I've declined it.
 
Hi gunnergundog...I've just added a schnauzer pup to my crew and many breeders are adamant that this breed,( also italian g,hounds) have had auto immune reactions directly related to this vaccination. Some USA schnauzer breeders have even written a waiver to their puppy guarantees if you vaccinate with this specific new vaccine.
http://www.snowboundschnauzers.com/-leptospirosis-vaccine.html
my own vet agreed there were some bad reactions to the new vacc,plus it only lasts six m etc...and she was ok for my choice to refuse the vacc.
I follow the Jean Dodds vaccinationrotocol of three yearly vaccs for an adult dog,and even on her website there is a comment from a well know immunologist who says this vaccination is the most likely to provoke unwanted reactions in some breeds.
I will find a post I posted on another board..here, I am Robin black mini..
http://www.schnauzer-forum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=20729
A few more..
http://www.minschnauzer.com/health/vaccinations.html

Google leptospirosis vaccine and schnauzer ....many links about the new vaccine and not all schnauzer specific.
 
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There is always the risk of chemical run off from fields seeping into the water.I am convinced my terrier contracted hepatitis through snatching gulps of the stuff in her excitement.My current terrier is not allowed in rivers or streams its just not worth the risk.
 
Bellasophia said:
Hi gunnergundog...I've just added a schnauzer pup to my crew and many breeders are adamant that this breed,( also italian g,hounds) have had auto immune reactions directly related to this vaccination. Some USA schnauzer breeders have even written a waiver to their puppy guarantees if you vaccinate with this specific new vaccine.
http://www.snowboundschnauzers.com/-leptospirosis-vaccine.html
my own vet agreed there were some bad reactions to the new vacc,plus it only lasts six m etc...and she was ok for my choice to refuse the vacc.
I follow the Jean Dodds vaccinationrotocol of three yearly vaccs for an adult dog,and even on her website there is a comment from a well know immunologist who says this vaccination is the most likely to provoke unwanted reactions in some breeds.
I will find a post I posted on another board..here, I am Robin black mini..
http://www.schnauzer-forum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=20729
A few more..
http://www.minschnauzer.com/health/vaccinations.html

Google leptospirosis vaccine and schnauzer ....many links about the new vaccine and not all schnauzer specific.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this Bellasophia.......sorry it's taken me quite a few days to find your response, but much appreciated and I will be doing some reading of your links tomorrow and may come back with questions, if I may.

Jean Dodds talks a lot of sense and has helped me with dogs with thyroid isssues in the past no end, even when vets in this country (UK) were adamant there was nothing wrong with them.
 
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