Itchy Dog After Swimming In Lake – Reason, And Remedies

Many dogs love to swim and play in the water. It is good exercise, and water retrieval games provide ideal bonding times for dogs and owners. Dogs that love water will swim in any available water body – swimming pools, oceans, puddles, ponds, and lakes. Unfortunately, sometimes, dogs seem to suffer from distressing itchiness after swimming in lakes.

Dogs can become itchy after swimming in lakes because of parasites and organisms in the water, which cause a skin reaction. Dogs with a thick coat that dries slowly may get fungal and bacterial infections that cause itching. The lake water’s pH may make your dog itchy.

It is disappointing to find that your dog is itchy and uncomfortable after an enjoyable day spent by the lake. Instead of relaxing at home, you are suddenly trying to solve why your dog is itchy and find solutions. 

Why Is My Dog Itchy After Swimming In The Lake?

Dogs can spend their whole day swimming in the lake, jumping in and out, and retrieving sticks and toys. It is a busy, exhausting day that should leave him pleasantly tired and relaxed. It is perplexing to understand why your dog may become so itchy after swimming in a lake. 

Lake water is an ecosystem that supports many life forms. Some of these include microscopic organisms that can cause itching, blisters, or rashes on the dog’s skin. 

Can Blue-Green Lake Algae Make A Dog Itchy?

Cyanobacteria facilitate the growth of blue-green algae in freshwater lakes. These algae produce a toxin that causes an extensive red, extremely itchy rash. If there are high levels of toxins in the water, the skin could form raw, weeping lesions. 

Initially, it was thought that dogs did not show any skin reactions to cyanobacterial toxins, but recent research is proving otherwise. A 2017 veterinary article reported on sudden and severe pruritus and urticaria in a dog exposed to these toxins. The lake water was tested in this instance, and the toxin was identified as debromoaplysiatoxin.

Other larvae, insects, and inhabitants of the lake may also bite, sting, or cause itching when the dog comes into contact with them. These organisms will vary amongst localities, and it is wise to seek advice from a local veterinarian who can tell you about potential hazards in lakes in the area. 

Can A Wet Coat Make A Dog Itchy After Swimming In A Lake?

Another cause of itching after swimming in the lake could be a failure of the dog’s coat to dry out properly. Dogs that love playing in water often have thicker coats that do not dry quickly. Think of Labrador and Golden Retrievers, English Setters, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Newfoundlands. These dogs have thick coats to minimize the effects of the cold water, and it is part of the reason they enjoy the water. 

These thick coats may stay damp for days after a thorough soaking. This predisposes them to the development of fungal and bacterial infections that can be intensely itchy. Dogs with a moldy, fishy, or strong smell from their itchy skin should be checked for secondary infections. 

Hot spots are a typical problem in dogs that swim frequently and seldom dry off completely. These lesions are painful and need rapid treatment to prevent them from growing in size. 

Can Lake Water Itself Cause Itching?

Pure water will not cause itching. Problems arise in lake water because its composition is influenced by plants, the bedrock or soil, and minerals. These can all change the pH of the water. 

Pure water has a pH of 7, which is regarded as neutral. Adding elements to lake water may cause the pH to increase or decrease. The general rule is that lake water is more alkaline due to the presence of plants and carbon dioxide, but this may vary in different lakes.

If the pH in the lake differs from your dog’s natural skin pH range, the dog could experience skin irritation and itching. This could vary from mild dry, itchy skin to the development of fungal skin issues due to altered pH.  

Dogs have a wide range of skin pH. Scientists have found that breed, sex, and even coat color can influence the pH of a dog’s skin. The result is that one dog may react to the lake water while another may not.

Can Dogs Be Allergic To Lake Water?

Dogs are not usually allergic to lake water, as pure water is not an allergen. Water polluted by contaminants from agriculture and industry can cause allergies, resulting in irritated, inflamed skin.

How Do You Prevent Swimmer’s Itch In Dogs?

Swimmer’s itch is caused by flatworm parasites known as schistosomes that live in lakes and ponds. There are various species, but one of the most common is Heterobilharzia Americana. 

It is also sometimes known as Duck Itch as the parasites prefer ducks and dogs as host animals. They cause an immediate tingling sensation in the skin, and a rash appears shortly after.

The rash consists of red spots that intensify in colour and itchiness as time passes. If the dog is not treated, the flatworms cause illness as they invade his body. This includes vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, and lethargy. The dog dies from liver or kidney failure without treatment. 

Preventing swimmer’s itch is challenging. Hose your dog down thoroughly or bathe him after swimming in a lake. Veterinarians also recommend that you towel your dog dry as the parasites enter the skin and the water droplets dry up. 

If the dog shows symptoms of swimmer’s itch, treatment with praziquantel and fenbendazole at high doses may be helpful. If the infestation is overwhelming or has been present for a long time, the dog may die or require euthanization due to organ damage. 

If a swimmer’s itch is a common problem in the area, it is safest to keep your dog from swimming in the lake.

What Helps A Dog Itching From A Lake?

It is a wise precaution to rinse or bathe your dog after swimming in a lake. Towel dry your dog and follow this up with further drying with a hairdryer at home. 

Coat conditioners can be applied before and after swimming to reduce dryness and irritation caused by the lake water. 

If the dog has persistent itchiness, hives, redness, and skin irritation, antihistamines and cortisone are helpful to relieve the symptoms. The medication should be administered through an intravenous drip to prevent dangerous swelling and allergy reactions in severe cases.

Conclusion

There are various reasons why canines may become itchy after swimming in a lake. These can be mild and innocuous or life-threatening. Before allowing their dog to swim, dog owners should inquire about the water quality, parasitic infestations, and any other potential problems at lakes. 

References

https://www.ualberta.ca/folio/2017/06/4-common-water-rashes-and-what-you-can-do-about-them.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5382154/
https://www.eldoradosprings.com/blog/what-causes-a-high-ph-level-in-water
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/IN/IN120000.pdf
Admin Team
Admin Team
Articles: 73