i swim my dog at a hydro pool dose anyone know if what they put in the water can effect the colour of a dogs coat even if you wash it when you get home.

I would imagine it's chlorine, at least where I go it is. I don't know if it affects the colour, but the hydrotherapist said it would dry the coat to some extent (I have a Goldie). Do they not rinse your dog when you've finished the session? Hamish's coat has certainly changed appearance since starting hydrotherapy a few weeks ago.

They do not have their shower working so I wash as soon as I get home, being a red Merle the red part looks like he been in the sun which he never dose and he dose not lay out in the hot weather. It is the only one in our area which is a large oblong shape so he can do lengths rather than held stationary working against the jets. I am wondering whether to carrying on.

I guess it depends if there are any improvements to his condition by having the hydro and how important it is to you that he retains his colour. Or is he just having it for general fitness?

> They do not have their shower working so I wash as soon as I get home

I'm not sure about colour loss but it does seem a shame that your dog has to get wet twice.  Less of a problem in warm weather but not so much fun when it's cold.  How long before they get their shower fixed?  Presumably you could delay treatment for a week or two til it's ready, or ask them to supply some other alternative such as a hose or bucket.  Not ideal, but better than the alternative of leaving the chlorine in the coat, getting partially dry and then having to wash again at home.

I guess you need to balance the benefits of treatment with the problems caused by the broken shower but it would be a shame to stop going all together if it's helping your boy. 

My chap has been swimming in the river today and it does him the world of good - he smells and feels scrumptious, and has conked out for the afternoon!  Sorry not a terribly helpful observation :)

We have recently had a canine hydrotherapy se up here, and from reading the reports, the water is regulated to suit canines, correct ph balance  temperature etc...so discoloration of coats shouldn't occur.

Karen

That is interesting. He swims for toning his muscles up as he is heavy boned and it is making him fitter.

Don't know about colour but my youngest has the crispest coat I've ever seen this year after taking her swimming to the local water park.

If chlorine is used it has got to have an effect on coat colour eventually after repeated exposure surely, as it is a bleach?

Definitely does on the dogs in Spain who are swam in pools a lot.

Has anyone heard of the use of bromide instead of chlorine I know somebody who uses that. Do you think that would have the same effect on the coat.

My dogs have been going to hydro now for years weekly, Spender for 4 and Sheba 5 years this month, she's now going twice weekly.   At the first pool, I noticed a bit of dryness for a day or so, then we changed pools about 2 ½ years ago and since going there, no dryness whatsoever and I can't say I've seen any notable difference in the colour of the coat either.  This place has been going for a number of years, coat colour or dryness has never even been mentioned.  Mind you, Sheba swims without getting her back wet.  I think it's chlorine they use but I can ask tomorrow.  

Thanks that would be helpful.

Yes, they use Chlorine however, apparently there was a Westie a couple of years ago that did get a green tinge to his coat from the water treadmill.  They stopped it for a while and the tinge went.  They started him again on the treadmill and it came back again so it would appear there are some coats that are affected by the Chlorine.  I guess it would depend on the texture,  pigment of the coat and the concentration of the Chlorine in the water.  I do think it's really important to rinse the dog immediately after the session though, a mixture of chlorine, sun, air, and time I can't imagine would be good for the coat. 

The trouble is this is the best pool in the area and I don't know why she hasn't had the shower connected.  The reason she gave was money. She has suggested putting a bucket of water over him afterward but I do not know how he is going to take to that. Somebody I know has just had a water treadmill installed do you think that is any better than the pool or just as good.

The water treadmill I think is just as good, it can be tougher on the leg muscles and maybe better for some dogs.  They can adjust the water level to make it easier or harder.  The difference is that as the dog is walking on a surface in water the muscles are toned in the areas that the dog needs for movement.  My dogs have used the water treadmill on occasions.  Without a shower, I would use a bucket of warm water and plenty of hand movement to rinse the Chlorine out in the same way as though I was rinsing shampoo out of the coat.  

Thanks for your help what breed do you have.

You are welcome :-)  I have GSD.