Salt toxicity in pets

substance: Sodium chloride

categories:

Spices

symptoms:

Dehydration / Diarrhea / Lethargy / Seizures / Tremors / Vomiting

# Description

While a small amount of salt is typically safe for pets, excessive consumption can lead to salt poisoning or hypernatremia, which is a dangerous condition. Common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, polidypsia and polyuria, tremors and seizures. Pets are more likely to experience salt toxicity if they consume high-sodium foods, salt-based ice melts, or even homemade playdough, which can contain significant amounts of salt.

# Toxicity

all

Safe 0-2 g/kg
Moderate toxicity 2-4 g/kg
Life-threatening 4< g/kg

# How it works

When a pet consumes too much salt, blood sodium levels rise quickly, drawing water out of cells and causing cellular dehydration. This is especially dangerous for brain cells, leading to swelling and neurological symptoms like confusion, tremors, and seizures. The kidneys try to eliminate the excess sodium, but if overwhelmed, dehydration worsens, reducing urine output and further raising sodium levels.

# Symptoms

Symptoms usually occur within 30 minutes after ingestion.

Gastrointestinal (first to occur): vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia.
Neurological: lethargy, ataxia, tremors, seizures, coma on severe cases.
Cardiovascular: tachykardia, arrhythmia.
Metabolic: hypethermia.
Respiratory: tachypnea.

# Treatment

Emesis: asymptomatic patients, within 2 hours after ingestion.
Activated charcol is not recommended.
Gastric lavage: symptomatic patients, if material e.g. playdough still present in stomach.
If no clinical signs: access to clear water and observation.
Monitor and replace fluids and electrolytes as needed. No more than 50% of free water deficit should be corrected on the first day. Sodium levels should be lowered gradually (0.5-1 mEq/h)
Antiemetics maropitant 1 mg/kg a day sc, ondansetron 0.5-1 mg/kg 2 x a day iv.
Anticonvulsants midazolam 0.1-0.25/kg iv, diazapem 0.5-2 mg/kg iv

# Prognosis

If a pet consumes a large quantity of salt, it’s important to seek veterinary care immediately to prevent serious complications.

Symptoms

Poisons