Signs of Salt Poisoning in Dogs and What To Do

Salt has been used for centuries to add flavor to all kinds of food, and, to humans, it's a fairly harmless addition.

There is some evidence that excessive salt consumption isn't the best thing for human health, but in moderation it just adds flavor. 

For animals, including dogs, too much salt can be poisonous. And salt poisoning in dogs can be fatal.

What is Salt Poisoning?

Salt is, of course, a naturally occurring substance, and, like humans, your pup actually does need a certain amount of it in order to be healthy.

The problem is that they really don't need too much to achieve that, and if they consume too much too fast salt toxicity may occur.

If a pup ends up consuming too much salt a condition known medically as hypernatremia - too much salt in the blood - can occur and become a very serious problem.

Have you ever heard of using salt to dry out meat?

Sadly that is exactly what a pup with too much salt in his blood is in danger of, as his cells may begin to shed water into the bloodstream in an attempt to rebalance things.

This can quickly cause dehydration and other complications if adequate water intake isn't occurring simultaneously. 

As salt poisoning gets more severe, it can shrivel your dog's muscles, leading to stiffness and tremors.

Worse still, their brain can come under attack, and their brain cells will begin to dry out, leading to a dangerously high heart rate, confusion, fainting, incoordination, convulsions and/or difficulty breathing.

If a pup finds something he eats just a little too salty he will usually run straight to his water bowl and, by drinking lots of water he will negate the effect of the salt and be fine.

He may not ever want to eat whatever was too salty for him again, but he should be fine.

If he consumes too much salt without drinking adequate amounts of water, however, that remedy may not be available or effective.

So, if you ever think your pet has consumed too much salt, whether he is showing signs of distress or not you should immediately contact your vet.

What Causes Salt Poisoning in Dogs?

Stealing a single salty French fry is unlikely to do your pup too much harm.

However, there are some common dangers that exist in many homes that can quickly lead to sodium toxicity.

Some of the most commonly reported causes include: 

• table salt
• rock salt
• soy sauce
• homemade play dough (the kind you see touted on Pinterest) enemas and paint balls
• not having access to ample clean water to drink when they eat
• occasionally a dog who has been allowed to drink too much saltwater at the beach has fallen victim to salt toxicity too
• occasionally a dog had accidentally eaten seaweed, that in itself poses a greater health risk for which immediate vet attention should be sought
• finally, cases of salt poisoning have also been recorded when a dog's water bowl froze over and also when their automatic waterer failed.

How Can I Tell if My Dog Has Salt Poisoning?

There are a number of signs that a pup may have consumed too much salt and is suffering as a result.

These can include all the following:

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Refusal to eat
• Unusual lethargy
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive urination
• Abnormal / sudden fluid accummulation in the body
• Shaking
• Seizures
• "Drunk" walking gait
• Coma

As noted earlier, not all pups suffering from salt poisoning will display obvious symptoms immediately.

This means that if you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested too much salt immediate medical attention is a must, even if it turns out to be a false alarm.

How is Salt Poisoning in Dogs Diagnosed?

For any pup who it is suspected has consumed too much salt an immediate through physical examination is a must.

Your vet will not only check your pup's vital signs but will also do blood work and a urinalysis to determine the salt levels in the blood.

They may also order an EKG, MRI or a CT scan to determine if any damage has been done to the organs or the brain.

To help your vet, try to be clear about how and when your pet was exposed to too much sodium and his behavior since.

How is Salt Poisoning in Dogs Treated?

If he is diagnosed with salt poisoning, your pup will be admitted and IV fluid therapy will begin at once.

This is administered very carefully and gradually, as flooding his body with too much fluid at once can in itself be harmful, possibly leading to cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) or cardiac arrest.

This does mean that your pup may be in hospital for up to three days, depending on how high the salt levels in his blood were.

If salt poisoning caused other damage that will need to be addressed as well.

In severe cases the liver and/or brain may have been permanently affected.

Recovery and Future Prevention

If a dog receives prompt treatment he will usually recover well, provided that no organs - or his brain - suffered any damage. Permanent damage to organs drastically decreases the prognosis.

A dog who has not been affected in this way will usually be sent home on a low sodium diet and will need to return to the vet in about four weeks to have additional blood work to ensure his blood salt levels have returned to normal.

There are a number of things pet parents should do to prevent salt poisoning in their family pet, including all the following:

Remember, most cases of salt poisoning in dogs are preventable, so as a pet parent you should be aware of the dangers of excess salt and take all the right precautions to try to ensure they stay safe. 

Accidents do happen though, and it can't be stressed enough that if you suspect salt poisoning immediate medical treatment is a must.