BE AWARE OF ICE MELT PRODUCTS: We would like to pass along some very good advice from the Chicago Area Bluepearl Veterinary Specialty Partners: It’s only the beginning of January, but we are beginning to experience frigid temperatures, snow and sleet. Rock salt, also known as ‘ice melt,’ is commonly used on icy sidewalks and snow covered roads to keep traffic moving during a visit by the polar vortex. Unfortunately, rock salt can pose a significant health risk to our pets. Rock salt products typically contain some combination of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium carbonate and calcium magnesium acetate. These minerals dissolve into the surface of melted snow and ice, lowering their melting or freezing point. Pets are exposed to rock salt during their winter walks. Contact with rock salt will dry the skin and cause local irritation or cracking of the paws with recurrent exposure. Mucus membranes are especially sensitive to contact with the minerals and pain results from the cracking and exposure of sensitive underlying tissues. Ingestion of rock salt can occur when pets lick their feet, eat snow that has been treated with the product or drink from melted puddles of snow. The ingestion of small amounts of rock salt directly irritates the oral cavity causing drooling, stomatitis and discomfort. The ingestion of moderate amounts irritates the stomach lining inducing discomfort, nausea and vomiting. This makes sense given that salt has been used as an emetic. Ingestion of large amounts of rock salt can alter blood electrolyte concentrations (think salt toxicity), causing lethargy, mental dullness, tremors, disorientation, increased water consumption and seizures. In extreme cases, ingestion can be fatal. The lethal dose for sodium chloride ingestion is 4 g/kg body weight. man-scattering-salt-ice According to the ASPCA, in 30% of the calls they receive inquiring about rock salt ingestion, vomiting is the most commonly reported sign, followed by diarrhea. What should you do? •Avoid the use of rock salt in locations where pets will be regularly exposed to it. •Keep containers of rock salt closed and out of reach of pets. •Rinse a pet’s paws or wipe them with a clean damp towel after walks and monitor them for excessive dryness, cracking or irritation. •Prevent your pet from drinking from puddles of melted snow. •Prevent your pet from eating snow where rock salt may have been used. •Consider using ‘pet-safe’ ice melts that don’t contain salts, but keep in mind, many of the products being advertised as ‘pet-safe’ have not actually been tested. There are no regulations governing the ice-melt industry. •The application of petroleum jelly to paw pads can act as a barrier to the salt. Dog booties are also protective. •Shovel the snow and use sand or kitty litter for traction instead of rock salt on sidewalks and driveways when possible.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 17:52:42 +0000
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