Water Intoxication in Dogs

Overview

We all know that dehydration can be fatal to our dogs, but did you know that too much water intake is equally dangerous?

If a dog swallows too much water (e.g. while swimming or playing with a water hose for hours), he may develop a condition called "water intoxication", which could get the dog very sick and even die from it!

So does that mean we shouldn't allow our dogs to play in the water?

Of course not!

This condition does not happen as frequently as dehydration (but it doesn't mean it won't happen!) As responsible dog parents, we should be aware of the potential danger and know the symptoms.

Also, we should learn different ways to prevent this from happening in the first place! So if you don't want to swear your dog off swimming and playing in water, please read on...

This article looks at:

• What is Water Intoxication in Dogs?
• Signs of Water Intoxication in Dogs
• Dog Water Intoxication Treatment
• How to Prevent Water Intoxication in Dogs

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What is Water Intoxication in Dogs?

When a dog swallows too much water resulting in excessive water in the body fluids, sodium levels outside the body cells become significantly depleted (a condition known as "hyponatremia").

In order to rebalance itself, the body increases fluid intake inside the cells. As a result, the cells are "swollen" with fluid, making them bigger in size.

As you know, the brain is encased inside the hard skull, if the brain cells are swollen with fluid, there is no room for the brain to expand, this causes an increase in the intracranial pressure and a lot of damage to the brain.

This results in "water intoxication" and, depending on how serious it is, the condition can cause brain damage or even death to a dog.

Signs and Symptoms of Water Intoxication in Dogs

If your dog has been diving, retrieving, and playing in the water for a while (around 20-30 minutes), there is a possibility that he may already have ingested too much water.

Watch out for these signs and symptoms:

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Restlessness
• Pale gums
• Drooling excessively
• Dilated pupils
• Loss of coordination (your dog may stagger, stumble, or fall down)

In more serious cases, the dog may have problem breathing, develop seizures, and lose consciousness.

Risk Factors

All dogs may be affected by water intoxication; however, some dogs are more prone to this problem. They include:

• Small dogs: Because of their smaller bodies, it takes shorter time for water to build up in their bodies. Therefore, they tend to show symptoms quicker than larger dogs.
• Dogs with little body fat: Dogs who are fit (e.g. agility dogs) and have little body fat are more prone to this condition since there is not much extra fat tissue to absorb the extra fluid in the body.
• Dogs with high energy: Dogs who are highly focused and have a lot of energy tend to be more persistent in their activities. Therefore, they will jump and dive to retrieve that ball or stick as long as their dog parents allow them to do so. This greatly increases the risk of excessive water intake.
• Dogs with obsessive-compulsive behavior: Some dogs are obsessed with water hoses or sprinklers - they can spend minutes, even hours, biting at the jets of water coming out from a hose or sprinkler, and by doing so, they ingest excessive amounts of water.

Treatment of Water Intoxication in Dogs

Dogs with mild cases of water intoxication may stagger a bit when coming out of the water, and they can usually get over the problem by urinating.

However, dogs showing more symptoms should be taken to the vet immediately since brain damage can occur very fast.

Treatment includes:

• Careful and gradual administration of electrolytes intraveneously.
• Using diuretics to help get rid of the excessive water in the dog.
• Using drugs (such as Mannitol) to reduce intracranial pressure due to brain swelling.

Note that some vets may not be abe to diagnose this problem properly!

Yes, you read me correctly - since water intoxication does not happen so frequently in dogs, some vets, based on the symptoms, may misdiagnose the problem as something like head trauma, or hypothermia, or plain old over-exertion.

Therefore, if your dog has been in the water for a while and, after getting out of the water, starts showing some of the signs and symptoms mentioned above, rush your dog to the vet and suggest that it may be water intoxication.

Prevention of Water Intoxication in Dogs

Since water intoxication can kill (and even if it doesn't, it can cause brain damage), preventing your dog from ingesting too much water is important.

Here are some suggestions:

• Limit Play Time: Limit your dog's play time in the water. Take frequent breaks to allow your dog to pee in order to get rid of the extra water in the body.
• Monitor Your Dog: If your dog likes to bite water from a hose or sprinkler, or if your dog tends to lap up a lot of water in his kiddie pool, make sure that he is removed from the water source after a short while. Better yet, train your dog to play in the water without biting or ingesting the water!
• Use a Flat Object: If your dog loves to retrieve toys from water, use a flat type of toy or stick instead of a round toy like a ball, as the dog has to open his mouth wider to hold on to a round object than a flat one. Also, avoid having your dog dive under water to retrieve the toy.

References
Eldredge, et al. Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook 4th edition (Wiley Publishing, 2007).
M. Goldstein, The Nature of Animal Healing (Ballantine Books, 2000).