A veterinarian is warning dog owners about letting their dogs drink seawater while enjoying themselves at the beach this summer.
Drinking too much seawater can have severe consequences for dogs if left untreated, potentially leading to grave conditions such as kidney and brain damage.
And in extreme cases, excessive seawater consumption can even be fatal.
The warning comes at a time when millions of people are about to flock to the beaches with summer just around the corner.
Sean McCormack, the head veterinarian at tails.com, emphasized the importance of pet owners remaining vigilant and watchful to ensure that their beloved furry companions do not accidentally consume seawater while frolicking in the waves.
“Seawater has a really high salt content. There are approximately 35g of salt in every litre,” Mr McCormack warned.
McCormack is urging pet owners to be wary of their pets ingesting seawater when they’re at the coast.
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“If dogs drink too much seawater, they can actually become dehydrated really quickly. Dehydration symptoms will continue to worsen if they are not provided with fresh drinking water.”
“Even if you keep a close eye on your dog when you’re at the beach, it can be difficult to tell whether they have ingested some seawater while splashing around, taking a refreshing swim, or playing fetch in the water,” McCormack said.
Symptoms of too much sea water
Dogs who have ingested too much seawater may display the following symptoms:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Convulsions
- Elevated heart rate
- Increased thirst or urination
- Seizures.
These signs can indicate potential complications arising from the ingestion of seawater and should not be ignored.
“The elevated levels of sodium chloride (salt) in seawater have the potential to disturb the fluid balance within your dog’s body, causing water to be drawn from the blood into the intestines,” explained McCormack.
Pet owners are recommended to give their dogs regular breaks every 15 minutes or so from being in the water to let them rehydrate.
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“If you observe any of these symptoms in your dog during your beach visit, it is crucial to seek veterinary attention without delay,”McCormack continued.
“If left untreated, it could lead to serious kidney and brain damage, dehydration, and can even be fatal.”
Pet owners are advised to ensure their dogs take regular breaks from being in the water, ideally every 15 minutes or so. This is to give your pets the opportunity to drink fresh water and rehydrate.
To prevent excessive seawater consumption, it is recommended that beach outings be limited to a maximum of two hours.
This precautionary measure helps to ensure that your dog doesn’t have the opportunity to drink large amounts of seawater, thereby reducing its risk.
