Joanna Wilson
Who doesn’t like a day at the beach with the company of a good dog? Whether you’re walking by a lake, river, or ocean, the familiar sensation of bare feet pushing into cold, wet sand is part of the fun. Your dog may or may not be aware of the sand beneath her paws. Some dogs appear to bounce rather than walk when they are at the beach.
Any dog can be revitalized by fresh sea air, and they appear to be able to play for days. The beach might be a fun location to spend an afternoon with your dog, but it can also be dangerous. Owners of dogs must be mindful of their canine companions’ activities. While no one intentionally feeds their dog sand, Fido could unknowingly swallow the abrasive grime.
Be Aware
When a dog consumes sand, it normally only takes a small quantity at a time. Licking a soiled paw, for example, could result in sand being swallowed. Digging in the sand, particularly with a dog’s nose in the ground, can result in sand swallowing. Dogs fetching stuff in the water, on the other hand, pose the greatest danger. A lively retriever is in his element when thrown a rope toy or a tennis ball. With a swallow of sandy water or a mouthful of solid sand, the eager puppy will scoop up the toy with enthusiasm.
Although you may not notice an issue at first, dogs may later experience the pain of sand ingestion. Because sand is heavy, it can cause the entire intestinal track to shut down as it compacts in the intestines. Food and water will be unable to pass through the stomach for digestion, and the dog will quickly become ill. The dog will be uncomfortable whether or not he vomits. When your dog circles and circles but can’t get comfortable to lie down, you’ll know he or she is unhappy.
You may also notice that your dog becomes tired and loses appetite after eating sand. Your dog is dehydrated if he is panting, has sunken eyes, and has a dry nose and gums. You can also do a simple test to determine whether your dog requires fluids. Simply pinch a sliver of loose skin and pull it away from your dog’s body using your fingers. When you let go, see how quickly your skin returns to its original place. A healthy dog’s skin will recover rapidly, but a dog suffering from dehydration will have a different reaction. The skin will appear to stick together before slowly returning to its original place.
Seek Help
Consult a veterinarian right away if you observe any of these symptoms in your dog. A few diagnostic tests, such as x-rays and blood panels, will be required to assess your dog’s health status. In order to improve hydration and prepare for possible surgery, your dog will be started on intravenous fluid therapy.
If sand is located in the intestine, fluid therapy will aid in the passage of the sand. Oils may also be given to the dog to assist loosen and pass the sand. Constipation can be relieved with synthetic sugar, and in severe situations, the veterinarian can undertake surgery to remove a section of the sand. It could take a few weeks to pass all of the sand, and the ingestion of salt in the water could make things even worse. The grittiness of the sand is unpleasant to expel, therefore your dog will be uncomfortable passing it.
Of course, in this case, a little knowledge is beneficial. At the beach, dog owners should keep an eye on their pets and keep them away from cat boxes!
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