[Australia, February 2025] – As temperatures rise and canine homeowners flock to seashores and sandy parks with their furry companions, Pet Insurance coverage Australia (PIA) urges pet dad and mom to pay attention to the hazards of sand ingestion in canines. What might look like innocent play or unintentional swallowing can rapidly develop into a extreme medical emergency.
Nadia Crighton, spokesperson for Pet Insurance coverage Australia, warns that many pet homeowners are unaware of the dangers related to canines consuming sand.
“Canine can ingest sand whereas fetching balls, digging, and even licking sand-coated toys,” Crighton says. “Sadly, this may result in critical well being considerations, together with intestinal blockages and a harmful situation referred to as sand impaction.”
Case Research: Teddy’s Story
Rebecca de Gier from Melbourne realized firsthand how harmful sand ingestion will be when her beloved canine, Teddy, suffered a critical well being scare throughout a household highway journey to Queensland.
“Teddy was his standard joyful and playful self earlier than he received sick,” Rebecca recollects. “We have been enjoying fetch on the seaside with a comfortable toy, and I had no concept that he was by accident swallowing sand.”
Shortly after returning residence, Rebecca observed that Teddy wasn’t himself. “He appeared uncomfortable, stressed, and saved positioning himself in a downward canine stretch. I referred to as my Melbourne vet, they usually urged he may need a sore abdomen. I rapidly rang native vets, they usually directed me to the Animal Emergency Centre on the Gold Coast.”
The veterinary staff confirmed by way of X-ray that Teddy had vital sand impaction, which may trigger harmful blockages, typically requiring surgical procedure. His signs included restlessness, lethargy, a decreased urge for food, and an lack of ability to get comfy. Thankfully, Teddy was handled with analgesia and IV fluids to assist the sand go naturally. He required an in a single day keep, and by the following morning, X-rays confirmed the sand had moved via his intestines. He was despatched residence with every week’s price of probiotics to guard his abdomen lining.
“Teddy is doing improbable now; he’s again to his regular self, which is a aid,” Rebecca shares. “The restoration turnaround was fairly fast. I’m so grateful he survived.”
Rebecca urges fellow pet homeowners to be conscious when taking their canines to the seaside.
“My recommendation is don’t play fetch along with your canine on the sand! Do your analysis whenever you’re going to new locations or interstate. There are belongings you wouldn’t even take into account in the event you’re not normally round seashores! Contemplate issues relying on local weather, equivalent to scorching pathways, scorching sand, ticks and parasites. At all times belief your intestine instincts too. I used to be reassured I did the proper factor by taking him to the vet. Additionally, be sure you have Pet insurance coverage. The out-of-pocket cost if I didn’t would have been enormous. The sand ingestion was utterly unintentional, he ingested it when gathering the comfortable toy, I didn’t even take into account this as a possible trigger for concern.”
Indicators & Signs of Sand Impaction
Canine homeowners must be on excessive alert for signs which will point out their pet is affected by sand ingestion. These embody:
- Vomiting or dry retching
- Lethargy
- Lack of urge for food
- Belly ache or swelling
- Straining to defecate or lack of ability to go stool
- Diarrhoea containing sand particles
If a canine is displaying any of those signs after a seaside journey, fast veterinary consideration is really useful.
When a canine ingests extreme quantities of sand, it might probably accumulate and create a harmful blockage of their digestive system.
“Moist sand turns into dense and heavy, inflicting the tiny grains to stay collectively as they transfer via the intestines,” Crighton warns. “Over time, this buildup could make it difficult to your canine to go the sand naturally, resulting in discomfort and potential medical issues.”
The best way to Forestall Sand Ingestion
PIA affords pet homeowners the next ideas to assist cut back the danger of sand ingestion:
- Use Elevated Bowls & Mats – Offering meals and water on a raised floor or a blanket can forestall canines from consuming sand whereas consuming or consuming.
- Select the Proper Toys – Go for stable, easy-to-clean toys that don’t accumulate sand and keep away from throwing balls that choose up extreme quantities of it.
- Encourage Hydration – Guaranteeing your pet drinks loads of recent water can cut back the chance of them licking sand-coated surfaces.
- Supervised Play – Keep watch over canines after they dig or play in sandy areas to reduce extreme publicity.
- Rinse Off After Play – Rinsing your pet’s mouth and paws after a seaside go to might help take away residual sand.
The Position of Pet Insurance coverage in Emergency Conditions
Therapy for sand impaction will be pricey, usually requiring imaging, IV fluids, and in extreme instances, surgical procedure. Having complete pet insurance coverage might help alleviate monetary stress in sudden conditions.
“Nobody expects their enjoyable day on the seaside to show into an emergency vet go to,” Crighton says. “That’s why being ready and educated on the dangers is so vital for pet homeowners.”
For extra data on pet well being and security, go to Pet Insurance coverage Australia’s web site.
About Pet Insurance coverage Australia:
Pet Insurance coverage Australia is a family-owned and operated enterprise devoted to offering reasonably priced, high-quality pet insurance coverage to Australian pet homeowners. With a robust concentrate on pet well being and welfare, PIA works to coach pet dad and mom on the very best practices to maintain their furry companions protected and wholesome.
Featured By:
Nadia Crighton is a famend and achieved skilled within the fields of Journalism, Public Relations, and Writing, with an intensive profession spanning over 25 years, 20 of which have been devoted to selling the well being and well-being of pets.
