What happens if dogs drink salt water

If your dog has been drinking sea water, they might experience vomiting and diarrhoea. Offering your dog sips of fresh water every 30 minutes or so will help to rehydrate them and will replenish their bodily fluids. If your dog continues to show symptoms of saltwater poisoning or you have any concerns about their wellbeing, speak to your vet. We use cookies on our website to make it easier for you to use.

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Story continues below advertisement. Leave a comment Comments. Anyone who has ever swallowed a mouthful of salt water when swimming in the ocean knows how unpleasant it tastes. When dogs drink salt water, it can be dangerous for them, and it can even be deadly. Dogs love the beach, but playing games of fetch, chasing waves, and swimming can all lead to a thirsty dog who consumes salt water. In most cases, a few mouthfuls of salt water may only cause diarrhea. Consuming large amounts of salt water, however, can be fatal.

When a dog ingests salt water, the excess salt draws water from the blood into the intestines, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. Salt water also disrupts the fluid balance in your dog. Dogs with toxic levels of sodium in their systems have a mortality rate higher than 50 percent, regardless of treatment. This, in turn, causes a litany of serious health effects. It can cause seizures, a loss of brain cells, injury to the kidneys, and severe dehydration.

If you suspect that your dog has consumed a toxic amount of salt water, your best bet is to get them to the veterinarian as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for saltwater poisoning in dogs. Lowering sodium levels too quickly, however, can be dangerous, increasing the likelihood of cerebral edema fluid on the brain.

In ideal cases, the water and electrolyte balance will be restored over a period of days. This usually involves hospitalization. Drinking excessive amounts of salt water typically results in vomiting within a few hours.