Dogs and questionable water

[Tater]

We were up in the mountains yesterday and my dog was running around making a fool of himself and getting real thirsty. He was drinking from a puddle before I could stop him and I got to wondering about the water: how suseptible are dogs to not-so-pure water? He's doing well so far but I just got to thinking. Help a new doggy-daddy out.

[captain2k_ca]

Dogs drink from toilets.......and I have seen em drink from far worse than that yet, he should be just fine......worst case he might get soem squirts

[gspsonny03]

When I got my dog, I was told not to let him drink green water while out hunting, because that could kill him. I've never figured out what green water is unless it's stagnated water with moss in it. If he was drinking just muddy water he should be fine. Any moving water should be fine. I've learned over the course of the last six years that dogs can be some what picky about the water they drink. If hot and tired they can and will drink just about anything and will lay in just about everything to cool down. Carry a water bottle with you while out and about and you should do all right. Think about it this way. How many retrievers have you ever seen that will go through some of the nastiest stuff you have ever seen, and 99% of them come out fine. When they retreive a bird of some sort out of that, you know they get some in their mouth and swallow it. May not be good for them and may give them the SH@@s, but they are usually fine. I had both of our shorthairs run through an oil pit last year while they was hunting and other than stink for a week they was fine, granted they didn't drink any of it, but they was sure oiled up for a while. Anyway I think your dog should be fine.

[captain2k_ca]

By green water they probably mean stagnant water with algae blooms in it....some algae can be deadly...

[rubicon]

I have a well and dont have a water softener. Both of my dogs will drink out of a ditch, mud puddle, and even the salt water in the creek and bay but will not drink the water from my spigot.

Maybe they are telling me something.

[captain2k_ca]

I'd be a bit concerned

[losthwy]

Even moving, clear water can have guardia. I would vaccinate for it.

[bob kudile]

tater, one of the reasons my dogs always wear there track and train collars is water. they always look at me when a water source is at hand. i only let them sneak a lick at certan places i feel are ok. then its a lick no lapping. i always carry water with me and they know it. in the hot weather i take them swimming for their work out but only to places i know of the water sources. the upper delaware river between nj and pa flows thru federal park land is fast flowing and only passes one large town in ny and its source is the new york city water supply. this is were sneaking licks takes place. i can only control this to a point and why i pick my places,spring ponds on state wild life mgt. areas without near by development or farm run off. bob kudile

[Lilred]

I caint say I've ever picked a place fer my dog to drink..caint say that I've ever had a problem with it..I just let em drink from whereever. But, there might be a point in pesticide runoff tho..that wouldnt be too good. Esp. after a farmer just had his crops dusted and it rained.

[huntingvet]

In theory a dog drinking untreated water could contract disease. Common diseases include E. coli, Salmonella, and giardiasis. The first two are bacterial diseases that can cause illness and are caused by fecal contamination of the water supply (i.e. wildlife defecating in/near the stream). Giardia is an intestinal parasite that can cause mild to severe diarrhea and sometimes nausea. Although uncertain, this parasite may be transmissable to people. A vaccine has recently been developed to help reduce the symptoms and the chance your dog can transmit the parasite to you. It has not, however, been shown to prevent the disease considerably in the dog.

Having said all that, most dogs in most situations are going to be just fine. Consult with your local veterinarian for more questions.

Hope this helps.