Sea Safety for your dog – What is sodium poisoning & how can you prevent it in your dog?
There’s nothing better than a walk along the beach with your fur-buddy. If your dog is anything like ours, then splashing through the waves is literally the BEST part of their day (after dinner time, obviously).
But did you know of the terror potentially lurking in the water?
🦈No, not that one.
The salt in the seawater.
If your dog drinks too much, it can cause a potentially life-threatening condition. Salt water poisoning.
What is Saltwater poisoning in dogs?
Saltwater poisoning, also known as Sodium poisoning or Hypernatremia, is caused by consuming large amounts of salt. This is most often in the form of seawater, but dogs could also get hold of salt accidentally by eating something they shouldn't.
A mouthful of salt water here and there is usually ok, although you might notice diarrhoea, but consuming large amounts of sea water can be fatal, especially if your dog doesn’t have access to fresh drinking water.
Most dogs don't purposefully drink seawater (although some may be driven to by the hot weather), but when playing in the water, they can swallow large volumes by accident.
When a dog takes on too much salt, the electrolyte balance in its body changes. The excess salt draws water out of their cells and into their blood and intestines in an attempt to balance out the salt content. This leads to vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration. If salt builds up in their system, the side effects can be very serious, including seizures, brain injury, and kidney damage, and it can quickly kill them.
The high salt content can also cause their muscles to seize up, ultimately causing seizures, but if you’re on the beach all day, this could also result in drowning if muscle issues occur while they're still in the water.
What are the signs that my dog might have saltwater poisoning?
If you notice any of these signs after, or even during your time at the beach, please consult your veterinarian immediately as the consequences of saltwater poisoning can be very serious, and your dog will require immediate attention.
Here are some potential symptoms to look out for
- Acting out of character
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Extreme thirst
- Excessive urination
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Difficult or changes to breathing
- Fast heart rate
- Sore abdomen
- Muscle spasms
- Loss of coordination
- Confusion
- Seizures.
How do vets treat my dog for sodium poisoning?
There is no specific treatment or medication for salt water intoxication, but your dog will need to see the vet immediately.
Your vet will probably admit your dog to the hospital for IV fluids, oxygen, and electrolytes to manage their dehydration. They will slowly address the salt content of your dog's body, but this has to be done gradually because rapid changes to a dog’s salt levels can cause even more problems.
It’s likely that your dog will have to stay overnight at the vet for close monitoring, and they may need some follow-up tests as they recover.
How can I prevent my dog from getting sodium poisoning?
Most dogs will recover from drinking a bit of seawater, but if you can prevent them from taking in too much, it will help avoid problems. So how can we prevent it?
Fresh water, fresh water, fresh water!
Before you head to the beach, make sure your dog is well hydrated and has had plenty to drink.
Never visit the beach without taking fresh drinking water with you for your dog (as well as you).
Take breaks out of the sun and out of the sea every 15 to 30 minutes, and offer them a drink of fresh water then. This will help to keep them hydrated and balance out any salt water they have accidentally ingested.
Once you've finished in the water, rinse your dog off with fresh water. This prevents them from ingesting the salt in their coat and also protects their skin from developing hot spots.
Can I still enjoy the sea with my dog?
Absolutely! Swimming and playing in the water is incredibly good exercise for your dog, especially if they have mobility problems like arthritis. Generally, the benefits to their physical and mental health from playing in the sea outweigh the risks. But it’s important to know that those risks exist and arm yourself with the knowledge to help prevent problems from arising.
So, go. Have fun, and enjoy a Wet Dog Summer!
