Hiya

Have noticed on face book a few people commenting about the ice/snow and being glad they have the beach to exercise dogs on, and I just wanted to ask people to be careful with dogs (especially scavenging ones) and seaweed (specifically kelp but I am not sure if other kinds can cause issues) When eaten, it wicks moisture from the body and swells in the guts causing vomiting and blockages, which can lead to rupture and peritonitis.
Its a problem we see here fairly regularly as we are an island but I know all of the visiting vet students are always amazed it can do this.

I am sure most people are vigilant but as some are using beaches more then normal in this weather, and as I was in theatre last night at work with a seaweed dog, felt I should just mention it!

Carla

Many thanks Carla, mine eat everything but the seaweed.

My friend's dog nearly died because she loved her ball being thrown but was picking up sand every time she picked the ball up and it caused a blockage. Scary how these things can happen!

> >Many thanks Carla, mine eat everything but the seaweed.

Knowing the Solent very well.... the 'everything' would be: decaying cuttlefish, the occasional jellyfish, fishermens' wellies and gloves, plastic bottles, shingle, sand now & then, disposable lighters, plastic tampon inserters, the odd dead seagull (or guillemot as I once found), oysters in varying stages of disarray, and - inexplicably - whole oranges (regularly found bobbing in Langstone Harbour near the Hayling ferry). No dog toys or balls though - they all sail straight to France (and probably buy ruined houses to turn into gites).

> No dog toys or balls though -

Some wash up here before France, Lucas won't chase a ball but is very good at finding them. Oranges, yes where do they all come from? Last winter came home with three bouys, an anchor, plenty of rope, so all I need now is the boat.  Left the dead sheep but I have a large collection of sea glass, which is in containers throughout the house - drives OH mad.

> Left the dead sheep

I found a dead cow a couple of years ago on the beach.  I have no idea where it came from as no cows anywhere near.  It was a bizarre phonecall to the police asking who I should contact to get the giant cow removed from the water.

> no cows anywhere near

Years ago when I lived in dorset,  I remember reading a booklet about Chesil beach which said that many years ago a Camel had been washed up.

> Knowing the Solent very well.... the 'everything' would be: decaying cuttlefish, the occasional jellyfish, fishermens' wellies and gloves, plastic bottles, shingle, sand now & then, disposable lighters, plastic tampon inserters, the odd dead seagull (or guillemot as I once found), oysters in varying stages of disarray, and - inexplicably - whole oranges (regularly found bobbing in Langstone Harbour near the Hayling ferry). No dog toys or balls though - they all sail straight to France (and probably buy ruined houses to turn into gites).

And thats just the best bits.. We also have used needles, condoms and human poop in parts around here :-(