Quote: Connie Sutherland

When a large amount of salt is ingested, the sodium diffuses throughout the body. When the sodium reaches the brain and central nervous system, water builds up and tissues swell. As the brain swells, pressure builds up resulting in severe neurological disorders. As the pressure builds, it causes seizures, coma and death. There is no antidote for salt toxicity. In some mild cases, where less salt is ingested, the dog may survive, however, if the dog eats enough, it is fatal. END PARTIAL QUOTE

This discussion of salt toxicity begs the question of the potential harmfulness of a dog ingesting a large amount of ocean water. Cleo loves the ocean but retrieves the ball or tug with an open mouth. Should I be concerned? Should I avoid ocean swimming her more than a few times a week?

I have always swam my dogs in the ocean. Should I rethink this practice? Is there a cumulative effect?

P.S. I love the smell of Play-dough also, but haven't eaten any for about 35 years

Well... for starters, it's diluted.
Second, I doubt she actually swallows that much, if any.

If you are super worried, talk to the vet about the risks next time you see him, and in the meantime be sure to offer plenty of freshwater before and after her ocean forays.

Also, does she throw up?

Mine all do when waves go over their surprised open-mouthed heads.

Well, the two who go in more than toe-deep.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Mine all do when waves go over their surprised open-mouthed heads.

Every time: surprised!

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I always offer her plenty of fresh water before and after, although Cleo is not much of a drinker (but she does love ice cubes).

I think she does swallow a fair amount because she often "chortles" while swimming back with the ball.

Connie, good point about vomiting. I suppose if she were getting a dangerous dose of salt she would throw-up. She doesn't vomit, but on occasion, after a long swim, she will have loose stools on her next bowl movement.

Is there any risk of cumulative adverse effect of drinking salt water or can a dog's body eliminate the excess salt efficiently enough?

Mine LOVES to swim in the ocean; headed out in 15 min actually. He ingests a lot of ocean water. I mean a lot. He swallows it as he swims and retrieves. We get the occasional throw up, which happens as he is moving; i.e. trotting to me with the ball, half second pause to get the water out, then pick up the ball and continue.

BUT he obviously does not get it all out. After an hour or two, he starts gushing out the back end. Starts out the color you would expect, and then by the end of the day, it is clear. He shows no other signs of discomfort and still runs around jumping for the ball with the look on his face that you see below and swims on his own without a ball toss.

The first time freaked me out, and I took him to the vet and they said he is fine. They advised I let him have free access to water but otherwise, nothing.

The problem is that because of his snout configuration, he has a hard time breathing really heavy through his nose. He breathes through his mouth instead. You can see/hear it when doing bite work as well. It has never affected him in any way, and does not diminish his drives at all. When swimming, he breathes through his mouth and swallows the water that is in there at the time. Now we play fetch with smaller objects to allow him to hold his mouth shut more.

All of this to say, Quinn swallows very large amounts of water and has no problems…

Thanks Jessica, that puts my mind at ease Cleo breaths like Quinn, through her mouth while in the water. She's yet to throw up (thank goodness!)

We just returned from the beach where Cleo not only out drank the fish, but ate enough sand to fill a sandbox

She loves it so much, I just can't see depriving her beach time.

I was thinking about it and mine even throw up when they swim in the middle lake, which can be pretty wavey from all the big boats. We don't do it often but sometimes it gets so hot on the boat we all have to jump in a cool off. When they swim in calm water they don't tend to throw up.

I always thought of it the same as kids who puke after gulping down too much water swimming in the pool or lake.