![\"dog,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0summer<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and that means\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0time to hit the beach! For many dog parents,\u00a0<\/span>Fido<\/span>\u00a0comes along for some f<\/span>un in the sun<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0But before you start packing your beach bag,\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0important to be aware of the risks that come with visiting sandy beaches and outdoor play areas.\u00a0<\/span>While many dog owners\u00a0<\/span>know the dangers of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>overheating<\/span><\/span><\/a>, as well as water dangers such as\u00a0<\/span><\/span>blue-green algae<\/span><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>water intoxication<\/span><\/span><\/a>, and\u00a0<\/span>other toxic plants and\u00a0<\/span>infectious\u00a0<\/span>diseases<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u2013<\/span>\u00a0many often\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0consider this common risk on land: sand impaction, which happens when dogs eat\u00a0<\/span>a large amount of\u00a0<\/span>sand\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0<\/span>rocks.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n While playing on the beach, your dog may\u00a0accidentally (or intentionally) swallow sand. Common\u00a0sand ingestion\u00a0scenarios\u00a0include:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Small amounts\u00a0of sand will\u00a0likely pass\u00a0through the GI\u00a0tract without issue.\u00a0However, when dogs swallow a large amount of sand,\u00a0it\u00a0can cause an\u00a0<\/span>impaction<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/span><\/i>when<\/span>\u00a0the material compresses\u00a0and forms a\u00a0blockage\u00a0in the\u00a0intestines. Common symptoms of sand impaction include vomiting, seeming constipated, pain in the abdomen, loss of appetite, or becoming lethargic after visiting the beach or playground with sand. Signs can develop anywhere from a few hours after exposure to a few days later.<\/span><\/p>\n If your pet feels sick after a beach day, they should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible \u2013 whether you know they ate sand or if you\u00a0<\/span>just\u00a0<\/span>suspect they did. Your family veterinarian or your local animal emergency hospital\u2019s veterinarian will start\u00a0<\/span>by taking\u00a0<\/span>x-rays. Treatment will vary depending on how sick your dog is and how much sand is\u00a0<\/span>impacted<\/span>. Some dogs will only need outpatient care with supportive fluids under the skin and nausea control. Other dogs may require hospitalization for intravenous fluids and more intensive medical interventions. In\u00a0<\/span>some<\/span>\u00a0cases, surgery will be needed to remove the sand from the pet\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>intestines<\/span>\u00a0if it is\u00a0<\/span>impacted<\/span>\u00a0beyond the ability to move with medical management.\u00a0<\/span>The good news is that w<\/span>ith prompt and\u00a0<\/span>appropriate treatment<\/span>, your dog has an excellent chance of recovering from sand impaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The next time you take your pup to the beach, monitor them closely while playing in the sand. The best way to avoid sand impaction is to prevent your pet from swallowing the sand \u2013 so if you catch them deliberately eating it, be sure to intervene! Reduce your pet\u2019s sand consumption by helping rinse off toys and by not throwing any treats for your dog directly into the sand \u2013 use a dish or clean towel instead. We hope you and your pets have a fun, yet safe, summer, and remember to take a few extra precautions during your next dog-friendly beach day!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Written by Nikki\u00a0Scherrer, DVM<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"dog,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/3.png\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"sick](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/4.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"dogs,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/5.png\")
<\/p>\n