Sniffr MediaWhat makes a trip to the beach infinitely better on almost every occasion? Beer? Yes, but what else? That’s right, man’s best friend – a dog.
Bring a dog to a beach and not only will you have a great time soaking in the adored gazes of onlookers, but the pooch itself will gleefully indulge the smooth sands as it does its thing.
Something it also might do, which you should definitely watch out for, is eat sand. Dogs, God love them, aren’t so hip to the dangers of eating the ground as we are, and thus may find it impossible not to have a little munch while skipping along the beach.
Watch this doggo, for example. He learns the hard way why his kind should steer clear of the stuff:
While this video is very funny, it’s also important to stress dogs really shouldn’t be eating sand.
Although it might take a bit to notice, dogs may feel the pain of sand ingestion later. Sand is heavy, believe it or not, and as it compacts in the intestines, a curious dog’s whole intestinal tract can shut down.
Food and water, for example, will not be able to pass to the stomach for digestion, leaving the dog showing serious symptoms. Whether or not it pukes, the dog will feel nauseous. They will walk in circles unable to find comfort in laying down.
After eating sand, you may also notice your dog becomes lethargic and has a loss of appetite. Panting, sunken eyes, and dry nose and gums are signs your dog is dehydrated.
However, you can perform a simple test to see if your dog needs fluids. Simply pinch a bit of loose skin and gently lift it away from your dog’s body. Let go and note how quickly the skin returns to its normal position. The skin of a healthy dog will bounce back quickly, but a dog suffering from dehydration has a different response. The skin will seem to stick together and slowly return back to the normal position.
If you notice your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, consult a veterinarian immediately. Your dog will need a few diagnostic tests to determine its state of health, such as x-rays and blood panels. Your dog will also undergo intravenous fluid therapy to improve hydration and to prepare for possible surgery.
If sand is discovered in your hound’s tum, the fluid therapy will help pass what is lodged in the intestine. The dog may also be given oils to help loosen the sand and help it pass. Synthetic sugar can help alleviate constipation, and in severe cases, the veterinarian can perform surgery to extract a portion of the sand.
It may take a few weeks to pass all the sand, and the consumption of salt in the water may further complicate the situation. Your dog will be uncomfortable passing the sand, as the grittiness of the substance is unpleasant to expel.
Watch out for your doggos when at the beach.
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