INTESTIONAL SAND IMPACTION CAN BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM

I GREW UP WITH HORSES AND DOGS.  BUT I DID NOT LIVE NEAR THE BEACH UNTIL MY THIRTIES. HORSES, GRAZING ON SANDY SOIL COULD DEVELOP COLIC (POTENTIALLY LETHAL CONSTIPATION) FROM INGESTING TOO MUCH SAND.  I DON’T TAKE MY DOGS TO THE BEACH BECAUSE OF SAND FLEAS, DUNE BURRS, AND THE MESS ON THEIR FUR.  BUT MANY OF MY CUSTOMERS DO AND I JUST RECENTLY LEARNED ABOUT ONE THAT GOT SAND IMPACTION AND HAD A SHORT STAY IN THE VET HOSPITAL.WHILE ROMPING ON THE BEACH YOUR DOG MAY INADVERTENTLY INGEST SAND FROM THE BALL OR FRISBEE YOU TOSS, DIGGING IN THE SAND AND EATING SOMETHING TASTY LEFT BEHIND, INGESTING WATER WHILE RETRIEVING A TOY THROWN IN THE SURF, CONSUMING PARTICLES FLUNG INTO THE AIR BY RUNNING CHILDREN OR OTHER DOGS OR FROM SHAKING OUT A TOWEL OR BLANKET.  (SALTWATER POISONING CAN BE AN ISSUE AS WELL.)

ALTHOUGH THE SAND PARTICLES ARE SMALL, THEY BECOME A CONDENSED WET HEAVY MASS WHICH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A BLOCKAGE IN THE INTESTIONAL TRACT AS IN THE PET MENTIONED ABOVE.

THE SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR ARE UNUSUAL “RESTLESSNESS, PANTING, VOMITING, DEHYDRATION, ABDOMINAL PAIN, HARD MASS IN THE STOMACH AREA, AND CONSTIPATION.” SHOULD YOUR DOG HAVE SAND IMPACTION, THE VET WILL HAVE TO DO AN ULTRASOUND OR TAKE X-RAYS. INTRAVENOUS FLUIDS WILL BE ADMINISTERED UNTIL THE MASS BREAKS UP AND CAN BE PASSED IN THESTOOL.  THE VET WILL ALSO GIVE YOUR PET MEDICINE FOR PAIN.  IT MAY TAKE A FEW DAYS OF HOSPITALIZATION TO STABILIZE THE SITUATION.  IN EXTREME CASES, SURGERY WILL BE NECESSARY.

THIS IS NOT TO SCARE YOU, BUT TO ALERT YOU TO BE MORE OBSERVANT OF THE DANGERS OF INGESTING SAND SO THAT YOU CAN WIPE OFF THAT BALL OR FRISBEE EACH TIME YOU TROW IT AND WATCH YOUR DOG FOR OTHER WAYS HE MAY BE SWALLOWING SAND.  AFTER LEAVING THE BEACH THOROUGHLY WASH OR HOSE AREAS OF SAND CONTACT, ESPECIALLY ON LEGS AND UNDERBELLY AND FACE.  ALL PETS WHO ENJOY THE BAY OR OCEAN WATER SHOULD BE HOSED AS WELL AFTER CONTACT