Molly the dog lucky to be alive after eating kinetic sand
Molly had to undergo surgery after eating some kinetic sand.
A DOG owner is warning others to be vigilant after some kinetic sand almost cost the life of her beloved dog, Molly.
Kinetic sand, which contains a bonding agent to make the sand stick to itself, has become a popular toy and is widely available in stores and online.
Belinda O’Shea said she kept her five-year-old son Archie’s kinetic sand in a sealed container and hadn’t expected that while they were out, nine-year-old Molly would get into the tub and eat its contents.
Molly recovering in vet hospital.
But one day the family found Molly, a staffordshire terrier, had done just that.
At first seeming fine, it was only when the much-loved pet had gone off her food and started vomiting that the family realized something wasn’t right.
“An x-ray found her intestines were blocked up with something, so then they left her there overnight on the drip” she said.
“Whatever was in her wasn’t coming out.”
Mrs O’Shea said her vet figured out the properties of the kinetic sand were causing it to reshape every time Molly’s body tried to remove it, meaning the pooch would have to undergo emergency surgery.
“They basically had to squeeze it out of her intestines,” she said.
While Mrs O’Shea, from Melbourne, had to part with $3000 to save her pet’s life, her biggest concern was raising awareness about the dangers of kinetic sand.
“Dogs do silly things but I want people to know to be really careful,” she said.
“I just want people to be really careful if their dogs get into it and to get them to a vet if they do, or keep it away from them.”
Mrs O’Shea said she had contacted the makers of the kinetic sand to warn them about what had happened.
“I emailed the company and let them know and they said they’d possibly look at changing the warnings,” she said.
Mrs O’Shea’s vet Bob Cavey, from Ultmate vet Clinic in Narre Warren, said though he’d seen items including knitting needles and plumbing pipes in dogs’ bellies before he’d never encountered anything like the kinetic sand.
“I’ve been doing this for 25 years and I’ve never seen this,” he said.
“The stomach just can’t push it through.
“I had to milk the stomach and push the kinetic sand through, it took about two hours.”
Mr Cavey said Molly had lost a lot of weight over a couple of days and her body had started to shut down.
“This dog that ate it lost a lot of weight over a few days,” he said.
Mr Cavey said dog owners should be vigilant, and parents too.
“If it’s blocked up a dog then you’d have to watch your children very carefully that they’re not ingesting any of it,” he said.
Mrs O’Shea and her son Archie have thrown out their kinetic sand and won’t be buying more any time soon.
It’s been a tough winter in Toronto. The de-icer they throw down in heavy piles all over the side walks, roadways and pathways is brutal on the pups paws, and it can burn through them in a matter of seconds. While dog boots may look like a fashion statement, they serve a huge purpose when you’re living in a concrete jungle that’s saturated in chemicals that causes visible pain and discomfort to our fur kids.
Did you know .. Ice-melting chemicals commonly contain sodium chloride or rock salt, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, and/or urea, also known as carbonyl diamide.
The two most common concerns regarding pets and ice melters are:
Ingestion – the fear that your pet could eat a poisonous amount of the product.
Dry paws – concerns that the chemical on the ground can get into your pets paws and dry out the soft pads.
Providing your dog with a good foot wipe-down when coming in from outdoors, will usually suffice in removing most of the de-icer. A little added licking (by the dog) will remove any additional- ingested in small amounts, this is usually harmless,
Keep a container of water by your door to dip and rinse each paw, then wipe dry. This will wash away salty residue, especially with longer haired breeds. It also helps to clip the longer fur between the pads to keep them clean.
These are my personal top picks for dog paw protection. As a dog walker, I’ve used and tried many-a-boot, on every sized dog paw, and have found these are the most practical and useful. If you’re going to invest in dog gear, you might as well skip the try-it phase and just get what really works!
*I have no affiliation of any of the products listed below. These are strictly my personal favs.
Pawz is the world’s only disposable and reusable, waterproof dog boot. Made of natural rubber, Pawz are 100% biodegradable. Pawz are designed to go on easily and fit securely without zippers or straps. Fashionable yet durable, Pawz offers serious paw protection. Pawz is the most natural-feeling boot your dog can wear because without padding your dog feels the ground, providing a needed sense of security. Like a sock, Pawz moves with your dog, allowing full paw motion and maximum comfort. And imagine never losing another expensive dog boot again! Pawz come 12 in a package and each boot may be worn many times.
Proudly designed and made in Canada since 1994, Muttluks are not just fancy footwear for canines. They provide superior performance and “Pawsitive Relief” for your canine companion. Available in eight sizes and two models: Fleece Lined Muttluks and All Weather Muttluks.
All Weather Muttluks feature a nylon exterior ideal for summer or winter protection
Musher’s Secret is a dense, barrier wax that forms a breathable bond with your dog’s paws. Developed in Canada for use with sledding dogs, it provides tenacious protection even in the most extreme conditions.
Safe and Natural
Made from a blend of several food-grade waxes, then refined according to our our own special formulations, Musher’s Secret is the safe, non-toxic way to protect your dog’s paws. The semi-permeable shield is absorbed into the paws, allowing perspiration to escape through the toes.
Made from 100% natural waxesand easy to apply!
Spread a light coating of Musher’s Secret on the pads and rub in. Mushers will absorb in minutes (rub a little on your hands, when it is absorbed you will know it is absorbed into the pads as well). We use an old rug near the door for application purposes. In very harsh cold or snowy conditions be sure to rub up in between the pads to prevent snowballing. For year round use, 1-2 times a weeks is sufficient. During extreme weather additional applications may be necessary. Frequency may depend on length of your walk and weather conditions.
My red doberman, Duke, loving his protected paws in Muttluks. He can now enjoy the snow without getting nearly as cold!Duke taking a break in his Muttluks.A few of my little French Bulldog clients — Diggy and Georgie wearing their rubber Pawz and Pickles in his Muttluks.
Humans are not the only ones who need to monitor their exposure to UV rays: animals are at risk too. Dogs and cats with white or thin coats are at particular risk, as are animals with very closely shorn fur or with certain pre-existing conditions. Dermatologist Christa Horvath-Ungerböck from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna explains which animals are particularly sensitive, how to prevent sun damage to the skin, and how to treat a sunburned animal.
Human or animals skin with little or no pigmentation is very sensitive to the sun in general. Hairless pets or pets with very short or thin fur can also be vulnerable. For dogs and cats this applies in particular to those parts of the skin that are regularly exposed to the sun. These include the ears, the bridge of the nose, the skin around the eyes, and the back. “Some animals particularly enjoy lying on their backs to bask in the sun. This exposes the skin on their bellies, which is often hairless, to the rays of the sun, increasing the risk of sunburn,” reports veterinary dermatologist Christa Horvath-Ungerböck.
A nose with little hair and underlying light skin are at higher sunburn risk. Photo Credit: Vetmeduni Vienna
Particularly vulnerable pets
House pets with white or short fur are at particular risk of sunburn. The Dogo Argentino breed, white bulldogs, Dalmatians, boxers, whippets, beagles and white or multi-coloured cats with white patches have skin that is very sensitive to light, especially on their heads. In summer animals with shorn fur can also have a problem. The short hair allows UV rays penetrate down to the sensitive skin and cause sunburn.
Hairless dogs and cats are naturally more sensitive to the sun, since they lack the natural sun protection fur affords. Here too though, skin pigmentation plays a role, and darker animals are less vulnerable to UV rays. Owners of vulnerable breeds should take particular care to protect their animals from the sun.
Sun protection for animals
“As a rule, animals should have a shady place to lie in. Especially at midday, when the sun is at its strongest and presents the greatest risk, not just for the skin but for the animal overall”, explains dermatologist Horvath-Ungerböck. Particularly sensitive animals require sun protection in the form of a waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 or a sunblock containing zinc oxide, for example.
For longer hikes through the mountains where the sun’s rays are particularly aggressive, sensitive animals should wear a t-shirt, coat or hat for protection.
The skin specialist advises owners not to worry: “Not every white dog or white cat needs sunscreen or clothing to protect it from the sun. If sun damage has already occurred though, or if an animal is highly sensitive, it is up to us to protect it from further damage.”
A custom-made umbrella can also be a suitable sunscreen for sensitive skin. Photo Credit: Vetmeduni Vienna
Treating sunburn in animals
If sunburn is visible as reddened, warm or flaking skin, the animal should be moved to the shade as quickly as possible. Cool compresses and ointments to soothe the skin can help relieve the initial symptoms. If the burn is severe, a veterinarian should be consulted as treatment with a cortisone product may be indicated to prevent inflammation. If the skin changes present as a secondary infection, antibiotics may be indicated. The affected animal will need to be well protected from the sun in future to prevent permanent damage.
Certain pre-existing conditions can increase skin sensitivity
Some illnesses and genetic defects that result in a thin coat can make the skin more sensitive to sunburn. Any longer-term stimulus that results in a loss of fur is a possible factor. These can include parasitic infections, chronic skin conditions, or congenital hairlessness. In some cases, exposure to the sun can worsen an existing condition. Animals with autoimmune skin diseases must be carefully protected from the sun, for example. And areas of the skin that were covered by fur but are suddenly exposed due to hair loss, such as scar tissue after an operation or injury, should be carefully observed and shielded as needed.
Damage caused by sun exposure
In animals, sunburn results in an acute inflammation of the skin that can cause itching or even pain, depending on the individual animal. Frequent sunburns can lead to pre-cancerous conditions or even actual skin tumours. “We sometimes see squamous cell carcinoma on the heads of white, outdoor cats as the result of chronic sun exposure. The affected areas of the skin then need to be surgically removed,” Horvath-Ungerböck explains.
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