Does Chlorine Cause Eye & Nose Problems for Dogs
Many dogs think you got that pool just for them. They enjoy swimming their own laps, jumping into the water, and sometimes even drinking from the pool. While most healthy dogs can handle a small amount of chlorine just fine, it is important to monitor them carefully and avoid possible chlorine poisoning.
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Chlorine Exposure
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Most dogs will only come in contact with chlorine if they swim---or drink from---a chlorinated pool. It is very important to keep dogs away from undiluted pool chemicals, as they may contain a high level of chlorine that could be toxic to dogs. Store the chemicals in a location that your dog cannot access.
Eyes and Nose
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Canine eyes and noses are more sensitive than ours, and they can be more susceptible to the effects of chlorine than humans are. If you notice that swimming in a chlorinated pool causes your dog's eyes or nose to be red, irritated, or watery, it is a good idea to keep your dog out of the pool.
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Other Health Issues
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Too much exposure to chlorine can dry out a dog's skin, causing it to be irritated and itchy. Avoid this problem by rinsing your dog's coat with fresh water after every swim. If your dog drinks from a chlorinated pool or even grooms himself after swimming in a chlorinated pool, he could become sick. Ingesting too much chlorine can cause upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting in your dog.
Excessive Chlorine Exposure
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Exposure to high levels of chlorine, such as undiluted pool chemicals or an over-chlorinated pool, can lead to chlorine poisoning in your dog. Symptoms may include extremely irritated eyes and nose, nausea or vomiting, and redness or ulcerations to the dog's mouth or tongue.
Precautions
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Keep a close watch on any dog that enjoys swimming in pools. Keep pool treatments out of reach, make sure to only use the recommended amount of chlorine in your pool. Talk to your dog's vet if it appears to be having any type of reaction to the chlorine.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Stephen Routh
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Comments
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Anonymous
Sep 09, 2011
Very useful informatioin for those of us with four-legged friends. -
Lately, I find that drinking the water in my tap in Trinidad was muddy so I started boiling the water at home before I drink it. Then about a couple of weeks ago, I find that drinking the water tasted so much of chlorine. And everytime I drink it I too have diarrhea for about 3 bowel movements and am good....that is all I have to drink...so bottom line, too much chlorine caused mines so am wondering how come you get diarrhea at your friends house and not at yours...strange eh?!
