Dangers of Saltwater Ingestion
We think it can’t happen to us.
But it can.
Saltwater Toxicity
Poppy and her friend Annie had so much fun playing in the water last week. But Annie came out of the water and threw up, and immediately had explosive diarrhea. I’ve honestly never seen anything like it.
My first thoughts were salt water ingestion, even though no one had noticed her drinking ocean water.
Common symptoms of saltwater toxicity or saltwater poisoning include vomiting and diarrhea. Amazingly a body will respond quickly to purge something like saltwater in a hurry. This can lead to dangerous dehydration — fast. Your dog’s electrolytes will get out of balance and your dog can become critically ill quite rapidly.
So we went into first-aid mode.
We gave small amounts of clean water in 15-minute intervals. At home, after a couple of intervals, I added Ningxia Red (a whole system supportive nutrient drink) to the water to add in some enzymes and rebalance her system.
We withheld food for a while to get her rehydrated and not try to tax the body by having to expend effort to digest food as it recovered.
We kept close watch for the next couple of hours. Thankfully, Annie was just fine after expelling the water she ingested and getting rehydrated & nutrients back in her body.
Safety Reminders for Dogs At the Beach
Saltwater ingestion can actually become a life-threatening emergency. Especially if elimination issues are persistent, if the dog becomes lethargic, etc.
Educate yourself, watch for symptoms keep first aid supplies nearby. Keep fresh water with you anytime you have dogs with you for outdoor activities.
If you are on vacation in a new town know where the emergency vet is (have the number saved in your phone for the local er vet and poison control).
Know how to self test for dehydration, know how to evaluate your dogs gums and tongue, pulse, etc … just in case!
Know CPR.
I always have Ningxia Red on hand for many health benefit reasons and am grateful for my first aid knowledge and my first aid kit(s)! But you could grab some Pedialyte or make a honey/salted water recipe for hydration. Keep something in your first aid kit at all times.
The beach and vacay are big fun. Keep them safe and healthy. Keep Fresh Waster On Hand!
Water Intoxication
Even a dog drinking from a garden hose, sprinkler, or pool can put your dog at risk of Water Intoxication.
Symptoms of Water Intoxication: include staggering, vomiting, pale gums, and dilated pupils. In severe cases, there may also be difficulty breathing, collapse, loss of consciousness, seizures, coma, and death. It is a medical emergency and it can happen very fast. If you know your dog has been playing in the water and see these symptoms seek immediate veterinary care.
Water intoxication causes hyponatremia, a condition in which sodium levels drop to dangerously low levels. Sodium is essential to support blood pressure and the function of muscles and nerves. Hyponatremia is a condition in which more water enters the body than the body can process. The excessive amount of water dilutes bodily fluids, creating an electrolyte balance.
In short, it’s a form of drowning!
Veterinary treatment typically involves IV fluids of electrolytes, diuretics, and medications to reduce brain swelling. With aggressive veterinary care, some dogs do recover, but sadly many do not.
Recipe for DIY Electrolytes after Salt Water Poisoning vomiting & diarrhea.
1 ½-2 cups water
1/8 to 1/4 tsp Himalayan Sea Salt
2 tsp raw honey
1/2 lemon juiced or equivalent lemon juice concentrate — you could also use a couple of drops of high-quality lemon essential oil for flushing.
Bring ingredients to a gentle boil to dissolve the honey. Let cool.
Give 1sp to 1 tbls every 15-20 minutes.