Dogs Drinking Salt Water

My golden retriever, Tucker and Havi-poo, Louis love the water and take any opportunity to get into it that they can! This summer, Tucker has given me cause for concern because he swallows the salt water as he swims along. He has not had any serious symptoms, only diarrhea and drinking lots of water after swimming but what I found when I looked it up is important to  pass on to you.

According to the AKC website, akc.org

Dogs love the beach, but playing games of fetch, chasing waves, and swimming can all lead to a thirsty dog who consumes salt water. In most cases, a few mouthfuls of salt water may only cause diarrhea. Consuming large amounts of salt water, however, can be fatal. When a dog ingests salt water, the excess salt draws water from the blood into the intestines, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. Salt water also disrupts the fluid balance in your dog. Dogs with toxic levels of sodium in their systems have a mortality rate higher than 50 percent, regardless of treatment. When too much salt builds up in a dog’s body, their cells release their water content to try and balance out the sodium disparity. This, in turn, causes a litany of serious health effects. It can cause seizures, a loss of brain cells, injury to the kidneys, and severe dehydration. If a dog with saltwater poisoning isn’t treated medically, the condition can easily lead to death.

Treating Saltwater Poisoning in Dogs

If you suspect that your dog has consumed a toxic amount of salt water, your best bet is to get them to the veterinarian as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for saltwater poisoning in dogs. Your veterinarian will attempt to restore your dog’s water and electrolyte balance to normal levels. Lowering sodium levels too quickly, however, can be dangerous, increasing the likelihood of cerebral edema (fluid on the brain). A veterinarian will administer IV fluids to try and flush the excess salt out of your dog’s body. Your vet will also monitor your dog’s electrolytes, provide treatment for brain swelling, control seizures, and offer supportive care. In ideal cases, the water and electrolyte balance will be restored over a period of 2-3 days. This usually involves hospitalization. Further supportive care and medications may be given, depending on your dog’s condition.

A list of other summer dangers 

1. Sunburn You might think that your pet’s fur is enough to protect them from becoming sunburnt, but this is not necessarily the case. Even furry pets have areas where their fur is thin enough to allow their skin to become burnt, such as around the nose’s tip or on the belly. Often the solution is as simple as limiting your pet’s time in the sun. If your pet is particularly prone to sunburn, however, specially-formulated sunscreen is available for dogs; human sunscreen should not be used as it can be toxic to animals.2. Heat Stroke It doesn’t take much for your animals to be at risk of heat stroke this summer; playing outdoors in the sun on a hot day can be enough. In particular, some pets such as short-nosed dogs are at greater risk for heat stroke due to their reduced cooling efficiency. If you see signs that your pet may have heat stroke such as excessive thirst or heavy panting, bring them into the shade or a cool room immediately and use a fan or wet towels to cool them down. 2. Insects or Other Animals From ticks and fleas to bees and skunks, summer is filled with potential hazards to your pet presented by other living creatures. Flea and tick prevention is key during these months to help your pet avoid the most common pests. Non-insect threats include snake bites that can lead to skin necrosis as well skunk spray that can irritate the eyes. Most insect and animal injuries can be treated at home, but any facial swelling due to a bee sting or a potentially poisonous snake bite should receive immediate veterinary care. 3. Bacteria or Parasites in Standing Water Standing pools of water can breed bacteria and parasites that can sicken your pet if they drink the water or simply walk through it. For example, giardiasis is a disease that affects the intestines and causes upset stomach, diarrhea and dehydration; the parasite responsible can be found in stagnant water during warm months. Similarly, leptospirosis is an infection caused by bacteria that affects a wide range of animals, including dogs and humans, and can lead to kidney or liver damage or failure. To reduce the chance of these illnesses, avoid standing water whenever possible and refresh your pet’s water bowl frequently. To learn more information, don’t hesitate to contact Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care!