Accidental poisoning in dogs occurs frequently, even with the most attentive pet parents. Once an ingestion is suspected or confirmed, time is critical. Prompt veterinary treatment can save a pet's life. Poisoning in dogs is a medical emergency.
Can cats and dogs survive being poisoned? Recovering from being poisoned is dependent on what the toxic substance was, the dose, and how long before treatment was started. The sooner treatment for any type of poisoning is sought, the greater the chance both cats and dogs will survive.
Get Professional Help
2 Never give your dog a home remedy or other treatment without speaking with a veterinary professional first. If your family veterinarian's office is open, call them first. If the poisoning occurs after hours, call a nearby veterinary emergency clinic.
If the animal is unconscious, the stomach may be flushed with a stomach tube, or surgery on the stomach may be needed. Laxatives and medications used to empty the bowels may be recommended in some instances to help remove the poison from the gastrointestinal tract.
Step 3: If the dog has not already vomited and the poison is not a caustic or petroleum product (see lists below), induce vomiting by giving 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 20 pounds every 10 minutes until vomiting starts.
Dogs who don't ingest much of a toxic substance and those who receive treatment quickly generally have a better chance at survival. Depending on the type of poisoning, dogs may take weeks or months to recuperate, and some dogs may have permanent organ damage after recovery.
Symptoms caused by swallowed poisons can include: vomiting, diarrhoea, agitation and heart issues. Inhaled toxins may cause breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness in dogs. If your dog's skin comes in contact with a poisonous substance typical symptoms include irritation and pain.
Clinical signs of poisoning in a dog may include: Gastrointestinal signs: vomiting, diarrhea, extreme salivation, loss of appetite, and nausea or dry heaving. Internal bleeding: indicated by pale gums, a racing heart, coughing up or vomiting blood, weakness or lethargy, or a dog's falling over or collapsing.
Don't give your dog any milk, food, salt, oil, or any other home remedies. Doing so will likely complicate the poisoning. , to induce vomiting in dogs, it may be recommended to give hydrogen peroxide.
If your pet has ingested a poison, try to rinse or wipe out the mouth with a damp towel/flannel. Do not give your pet anything to eat or drink before speaking with the Animal Poisons Helpline or a vet.
If you don't know what poisoned your dog, be aware that your vet is not able to test for every possibility, but blood tests may help determine the source.
activated charcoal – sometimes used to treat someone who's been poisoned; the charcoal binds to the poison and stops it being further absorbed into the blood. antidotes – these are substances that either prevent the poison from working or reverse its effects.
Activated charcoal is a medication often used in dogs to treat intoxication. The goal of activated charcoal is to absorb the toxin that the dog has ingested to lessen its adverse effects.
In many cases, it can be mild and your pet can recover within a few days. However, it can be life-threatening if left untreated. Here are some information about this threat to your pet's life.
FIRST AID FOR PET POISONING
If you see or suspect your dog has eaten toxic foods or substances, induce vomiting immediately (but only if the dog remains conscious). Take a sample of the vomitus or feces if available to help the doctor be sure of the diagnosis.
Swallowed poisons, for example, often cause sickness, diarrhoea, agitation and heart issues. If your dog has inhaled something toxic they may find it difficult to breathe or lose consciousness. Poisons that come into contact with your dog's skin can cause irritation and pain.
Clean Water: It is recommended that giving your dog spring water is best as it provides natural nutrients and minerals. These natural nutrients would help cleanse out any toxins in your dog's digestive system. Keeping your dog hydrated is important when your dog is going through an upset stomach.
Antidotes are agents that negate the effect of a poison or toxin. Antidotes mediate its effect either by preventing the absorption of the toxin, by binding and neutralizing the poison, antagonizing its end-organ effect, or by inhibition of conversion of the toxin to more toxic metabolites.
The BRAT diet is gentle on the stomach and consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Eat this for as long as you're not feeling well. You can also include clear broths in this diet.
Diagnosing toxicity in your pet is often difficult. Tests that help make specific diagnoses are: blood tests, tissue samples for histopathology, and X-rays. When sending blood and tissue to the laboratory, the veterinarian asks for a specific test because there is no blanket test that identifies toxins.
Affected dogs show signs 30 minutes to 4 hours after ingesting the poison. Initially affected dogs become anxious and have an elevated body temperature. Panting is usually seen. Progressively they become worse and staggery.
Your vet may suggest making the animal vomit if ingestion just occurred, but your pet may also need intravenous fluid support or treatment with specific medications and antidotes to combat the toxin.