When we think about household dangers for pets, items like chocolate, grapes, or medications often come to mind. But sometimes, even the most innocent-looking items can pose serious risks — like homemade playdough.

That’s exactly what happened to Oaken, an 11-year-old German Short-haired Pointer, who found himself in a serious medical emergency after eating a batch of salty playdough made from cream of tartar, salt, and flour.

An Unexpected Emergency

Oaken came to the CASE Emergency Department trembling, dehydrated, and struggling with severe vomiting and diarrhea. His family had seen him ingest some homemade playdough — and though he vomited some of it up at home, his symptoms quickly worsened.

By the time he arrived at CASE, Oaken could barely walk due to full-body tremors. Fortunately, our team was ready to act fast.

Salt Toxicity: A Hidden Threat

Diagnostic tests showed that Oaken was suffering from severe salt toxicity, a condition called hypernatremia — when sodium levels in the blood climb dangerously high. Salt pulls water from the body’s cells, including those in the brain, which can lead to serious complications like seizures, coma, or even brain damage if left untreated.

Common signs of salt toxicity in pets include:

• Tremors

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Lethargy

• Disorientation

• Seizures or collapse

Homemade playdough, while fun and easy to make, often contains large amounts of salt, making it extremely dangerous if consumed by curious pets.

The Road to Recovery

To treat Oaken’s condition, our emergency team immediately started him on intravenous fluids (specifically, D5W — a special fluid designed to help dilute sodium in the blood). He also received medications to control nausea and reduce his tremors.

Over the next 24 hours, Oaken was closely monitored with frequent bloodwork to ensure his sodium levels were brought down safely. Thanks to quick intervention and supportive care, he made a full recovery and went home the next day feeling like himself again.

A Message to Pet Owners

Oaken’s case is a reminder that not all pet dangers are obvious. Even small amounts of salty dough, rock salt, or salt-based crafts like holiday ornaments can be harmful. If you suspect your pet has ingested something salty or unusual — call your vet or a pet poison hotline immediately.

And remember: our team at Colorado Animal Specialty & Emergency (CASE) is here 24/7 to help in those unexpected moments. Whether it’s a midnight emergency or a strange household ingestion, we’re ready to provide the expert care your pet needs.