One of the most common treatment options for poisoning in dogs is inducing vomiting. Other treatment may include medication to reduce pain and symptoms, overnight monitoring, or IV's for flushing out the toxins in the system. The cost of treatment can vary from $250 to $5,000.
Neutralizing the chemical ingestion can, in and of itself, cause a chemical reaction, which can further aggravate the dog's injuries. Instead, flush your pet's mouth out with tepid water for 15 to 20 minutes by using a shower head or kitchen sink spray hose. Try not to point the hose to the back of the mouth, though.
Depending on the type of poisoning, dogs may take weeks or months to recuperate, and some dogs may have permanent organ damage after recovery.
Many pet owners feed their dog milk after a potential poisoning because they believe it will help neutralize the poison. This is rarely helpful and dogs and cats are generally lactose intolerant. Don't give your pet milk unless a veterinary professional tells you to do so.
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.
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. Activated charcoal is a commonly used treatment and is often the first line of treatment for certain intoxications.
Typically, mild cases of poisoning have high recovery rates. In severe poisoning cases or cases where treatment was delayed the chance of recovery is extremely low. When pets do recover from severe poisoning there can also be long-term damage to their overall health.
25% of poisoned pets recover within two hours. Of the pets that take longer to recover, many can be treated at home with the advice of your veterinarian or with advice from the ASPCA Poison Control Center (telephone 1-888-426-4435). Even with treatment, one in 100 poisoned pets dies.
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.
If you think your dog has been poisoned stay calm and make sure the source of the poison is out of your dog's reach. Call your daytime vet straight away or, if it's at night, on a weekend or bank holiday, your nearest Vets Now, and follow their advice. There's no time to waste if your dog is showing signs of poisoning.
If you think your dog has eaten something toxic, you should also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. They're available 24/7, 365 days a year to help you through any poison-related emergency. If your dog appears to be choking, don't wait to call the vet.
Most canines start to show clinical signs within 15 minutes of exposure. If you suspect that a canine has been exposed to an overdose of opi- oids, it is suggested that the patient be given the reversal drug, Narcan®, as soon as possible and be then taken to a veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.
There is no specific treatment or antidote for food poisoning in dogs, so supportive care is essential for a good prognosis. Prevention includes avoiding food sources that are contaminated with aflatoxins and feeding your dog a balanced diet.
Dogs and cats instinctively know not to eat certain things that can make them sick or kill them. Many animals, especially those in the wild, do have a combination of instinct, experience and training that keeps them from consuming things that are harmful to them.
Rat and mouse poisons, also known as rodenticides, are products formulated to kill rodents. The chemicals used in these products are often highly toxic to dogs and can cause internal bleeding, kidney failure, organ damage and even death if eaten by your dog.
Symptoms of 'two-step' poisoning can include the following:
Vomiting, diarrhoea. Difficulty breathing, very fast breathing or coughing up slime (excessive secretions in the airways) Abnormally slow heart rate. Muscle tremors, shaking, twitching, weakness or loss of balance.
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. Some poisons, such as antifreeze and certain rat poisons, have antidotes, so whenever that's the case your vet will administer the antidote as soon as possible.
Routine blood and urine tests. Some poisons are diagnosed or suspected based on routine blood and urine evaluation. Some poisons are known to cause severe kidney damage, liver damage, electrolyte or mineral abnormalities. If these abnormalities are found on blood or urine tests, poisoning may be suspected.
If your dog ate rat poison, signs can vary dramatically and will depend on the location of bleeding. Signs may include bleeding from the gums, blood in the stool (or black tarry stool), blood in the urine, lethargy, weakness, coughing, shortness of breath, seizures, difficulty walking and potentially sudden death.
Anticoagulant Rodenticides
Depending on the dosage ingested, your dog may recover from one week to one month. In that time period, it's vital to monitor their condition and report any signs of illness to your veterinarian. Poisoning in dogs can be expensive to treat.
Less common signs include vomiting, diarrhea (with or without blood), nose bleeds, bruising, bloody urine, swollen joints, inappetence, and bleeding from the gums. Your pet will die in 3-5 days after eating these baits. Luckily there is an antidote IF we see your pet in time.