My dog ate sand at the beach and is now sick. What can I do to help?

I am sorry to hear Roxy isn't feeling well. Eating sand doesn't always mean a vitamin deficiency and even though she is defecating some sand out, it doesn't mean it all is coming out. I recommend taking her to a vet to look for intestinal parasites, which can sometimes cause them to eat things they shouldn't. It also sounds like she is nauseous (drooling) from eating too much sand and may need to have the sand removed. The vet may need to take x-rays to make sure she hasn't eaten something else with the sand. After that, I would keep her away from the sand so she doesn't continue to eat it. You may need to walk her on a leash to prevent her from eating it. Good luck and kisses to Roxy!

In looking up this plant, I can't find any information that they are toxic to dogs, but it is possible that eating it upset her stomach. Given that Roxy isn't acting any differently and is eating, I wouldn't be too worried about her just yet. I would be more worried if she having persistent diarrhea, is vomiting frequently, and isn't eating or drinking. You can try offering her a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in her normal diet. Should she return to normal (i.e. no vomiting or diarrhea), then she will be just fine. I would have her seen by a vet, however, if she starts vomiting more or having persistent diarrhea, or she stops eating and drinking. I hope this helps!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. it sounds as though cocoa may have ingested water and sand, which can certainly lead to vomiting and an upset stomach. I would recommend initiating a bland diet as outlined below and feed this at least 3 days beyond the resolution of the vomiting. if Coco develops new symptoms such as lethargy, decreased appetite, abdominal pain comma Etc., then I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate Diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction and I hope that Coco feels better soon. Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns and I'll be more than happy to help you further. GENERAL INFORMATION A bland diet is a diet that is soft and highly digestible. It is low in fiber, fat and protein and is high in carbohydrates. Bland diets are generally composed of a single carbohydrate source and a single lean protein source. The most common bland diet is boiled rice and boiled lean chicken breast, without skin and bones. Since bland diets are low in fiber, stool production slows and defecation is less frequent. Bland diets are fed to rest the gastric system and to help promote normal stool formation. Animals that are physically sick should not be fed bland diets as a method of treatment. PRIOR TO FEEDING A BLAND DIET Pets should be fasted for 12 to 24 hours. Young animals should not be fasted for more than 12 hours. Fasting will allow the intestinal system to relax and minimize acid secretions that may irritate and inflame the intestinal lining. During the fast small amounts of water or ice chips may be provided. Never fast a sick animal, it may cause disease progression and death. BASIC BOILED RICE AND CHICKEN BLAND DIET RECIPE CARBOHYDRATE SOURCE: Boiled white rice LEAN PROTEIN SOURCE: Chicken breast, no skin and bones BOILED RICE: 1 part white rice with 3 parts water boiled for 20 – 25 minutes or until the rice is easily crushed. BOILED CHICKEN: De-fat chicken breast and boil in water for 10 – 15 minutes or until the chicken meat is easily pulled apart and cooked all way through. MIXING INSTRUCTIONS: Finely chop the lean protein and mix 2 cups carbohydrate source and ½ cup lean protein source. STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Bland diets can be premade and stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 48 hours. The bland diet can be cooked in a batch and frozen in feeding sized portions to minimize preparation time. Thaw and warm the frozen diet prior to feeding. PERMITTED LEAN PROTEIN SUBSTITUTIONS Pork loin, egg whites, low fat cottage cheese. 7% low fat hamburger, plain low fat yogurt. PERMITTED CARBOHYDRATE SUBSTITUTIONS Boiled potatoes, boiled spaghetti, Minute rice. PERMITTED COMMERCIAL BLAND DIETS Science Prescription Diet I/D, Eukanuba Veterinary Diet Low Residue, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Intestinal HE. FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS Estimate 25% of your animal’s diet and feed that amount of the bland diet every 6 – 8 hours. Smaller animals will require less and larger animals will require more adhering to the same carbohydrate to lean protein source ratio. The bland diet should be fed for 4 -5 days with no treats or other food sources until stools are firm. TRANSITION BACK TO A NORMAL DIET Never transition back to a regular diet rapidly. Transition back to the regular diet over a 1 week period. Start by adding 25% of the regular diet to 75% of the bland diet and feed that combination for 2 days. If stools continue to be firm then continue substituting the regular diet in 25% increments and feeding the combination in 2 day time intervals until the diet is 100% regular diet. Minimize treats for 1 week after moving the diet back to 100% regular diet.

Sand can cause issues in the G.I. tract including information and potentially an obstruction/blockage. I recommend Tucker be examined by a veterinarian and likely an x-ray done. This is because if he does have an obstruction he will need surgery to remove the sand. If the x-ray looks good did it may be putting him on a bland diet and giving extra fluids will help him get better.

Poor Blue! Too much salt water from the ocean can make a dog vomit, and the excess salt plus the vomiting will cause him to be dehydrated. Make sure he has access to plenty of fresh water, and I can give you a home remedy to see if that helps. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the vomiting continues in the absence of food, he vomits the bland diet, he develops seizures (too much salt water can cause this), becomes uncoordinated, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away.

As long as you have started her vaccinations then I wouldn’t think that you have done anything wrong. She may have consumed a little too much salt water, or it could be completely unrelated. I would consider feeding her a bland diet such as boiled chicken and rice his morning. However, if she doesn’t eat or if she vomits it up then she should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Poor Maggie. If she ate a lot of sand and seashells, that will be making her sick. Because she is vomiting, having diarrhea, is very lethargic, and not eating, she is too sick for a home remedy. You need to take her into a vet immediately to get this treated. Best of luck.