How to treat a poisoned dog

Content

• Treatments to follow depending on the cause of the dog's poisoning
• Treatments to follow for food and plant poisoning
• Advice on dose and oral administration

If you have identified the symptoms of poisoning in your puppy, you have applied first aid but you are not sure what could have been the cause of the poisoning, at PeritoAnimal we will explain to you how to treat a poisoned dog, explaining the symptoms of each type of intoxication and treatment.

We want to remind you of the importance of go to a veterinarian in these cases, as much as we can act and help with first aid at the moment, it must be a specialist who must assess the health of our poisoned furry and proceed as necessary in each case.

If you are a dog owner, this article will be of interest to you to know how you can act and save your faithful friend's life in case of an accident. Here we give you information about the treatments needed for poisoning produced by different things toxic to dogs and some advice on how to administer medications and the dose needed in each case.

Treatments to follow depending on the cause of the dog's poisoning

Here we will explain a series of treatments and first aid for the most common causes of dog poisoning, which we can do if our veterinarian has indicated or if there is no other option. It is better that these measurements are performed by a veterinarian rather than us.

Medicines for humans: the vast majority of everyday human medicines are toxic and even deadly to dogs. We must be sure that our partner will not touch what he should not or will not be able to reach certain places where we have the medicines stored, but the truth is that not only do they intoxicate themselves by ingesting these substances by mistake, but sometimes through ignorance we administer some of these medications to lower fever or minimize other symptoms. This last situation is a big mistake on our part, since most medications are not made to be tolerated by dogs or cats and, although we administer the minimum dose or the one indicated for children, we are intoxicating our pet. Never medicate your pet without consulting a veterinarian first. In case the dog ingests any pill of these medicines for people, we must induce vomiting and go to the veterinarian. These are the most common medications for us but they are harmful to the health of our pets and can even cause death:

• Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin): An analgesic and antipyretic very common for people, but in dogs it has a harmful effect including vomiting (sometimes with blood), hyperthermia, rapid breathing, depression and even death.
• acetaminophen: It is an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic used by us, but it is also very harmful to our pets. It damages their liver, darkens their gums, produces salivation, rapid breathing, depression, dark urine and can cause death.
• Vitamin A: Many people have vitamin complexes at home to prevent colds and other common ailments, among other things. These vitamin complexes include Vitamin A. In addition, we can find this vitamin in some food supplements and in foods such as raw liver, which we sometimes like to give to our puppies. Hypervitaminosis caused by this vitamin causes a series of symptoms in our pets such as drowsiness, anorexia, stiffness in the neck and joints, constipation, weight loss, as well as strange positions such as sitting on the hind legs but raising the front legs or lying down but leaving the weight on the extremities without relaxing.
• D vitamin: We also find vitamin D in vitamin complexes, in addition to rat poisons and in some foods. Hypervitaminosis D causes anorexia, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme thirst, and very frequent and abundant urination.This is due to kidney damage and bleeding that occur in the digestive and respiratory tract.

Arsenic: Arsenic is present in insecticides, pesticides and some poisons. The most common symptoms are acute and sometimes bloody diarrhea, weak pulse, general weakness, depression and cardiovascular collapse. This is due to the acute inflammation that arsenic causes in various internal organs such as the liver and kidneys. In this case, if the poison has been ingested by our dog less than two hours ago, the urgent treatment is to induce vomiting, followed by oral administration of activated charcoal and, after one or two hours, administer gastric protectors such as pectin or kaolin.

Cyanide: This substance is found mainly in plants, some poisons and fertilizers. In our dog's, cyanide poisoning occurs most often by ingesting plants that contain cyanide compounds, such as apple leaves, corn, flax, sorghum and eucalyptus. Another common way of ingesting this poison is when they eat a rodent or other animal killed by rodenticides and other plant poisons. Symptoms usually appear within ten or fifteen minutes after ingestion and we can see an increase in excitement that quickly turns into breathing difficulties, which can end up in suffocation. The treatment to be followed by a veterinarian is immediate administration of sodium nitrite.

Ethylene glycol: Used as antifreeze for the car. Symptoms are quite rapid after ingestion and it can happen that we get the feeling that our dog is drunk. Symptoms are vomiting, neurological signs, partial unconsciousness, loss of balance and ataxia (difficulty coordinating due to neurological problems). What should be done in this case is to induce vomiting and give activated charcoal followed by sodium sulfate between one and two hours after having ingested the poison.

Shampoo, soap or detergent: Intoxication by these substances causes a series of symptoms that are milder and easier to treat. Many of these products may contain caustic soda and other corrosive substances, so you should never induce vomiting. The symptoms that usually occur are dizziness, excessive salivation, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. In cases where the dog has ingested too much, the situation worsens and convulsions, shock and coma may occur. If the amount ingested is small and the veterinarian does not tell us otherwise, a good way to help our intoxicated companion's body to treat these toxics is to give him milk, water or a mixture of both, as they will join the product Toxic ingested preventing more serious damage. Softeners for clothes are highly toxic and we must take our dog quickly to the veterinary emergency.

Chlorine and bleach: The vast majority of cleaning products that we have at home contain bleach and therefore contain chlorine. Many puppies like to bite the bottles of these products, drink the water from the scrub bucket that contains these products mixed together, drink the water from freshly treated swimming pools and bathe in them. The first symptoms that occur are dizziness, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia and depression. As first aid, we should give milk or milk with water to our intoxicated partner with a syringe in the mouth, slowly letting him swallow by himself. This will make the milk join the chlorine, preventing further damage to our puppy. We should never induce vomiting, as you will be vomiting as a result of intoxication and causing more vomiting will only make you weaker and damage your digestive tract, as bleach, chlorine and stomach acids are corrosive. In this case, activated charcoal should not be administered as it will have no effect. In case the intoxication occurs not by ingestion but by contact with the skin, we should immediately bathe our friend with a mild shampoo for dogs and rinse him with plenty of warm water so that no remains are left. After the bath you should go to the vet to make sure there was no damage and to know what to do next.

Fluorine: This substance is found in human oral care products, rat poisons and environmental acaricides. Since fluoride is toxic to dogs and cats we should never use our toothpaste to clean their teeth. You can find special toothpastes for them for sale with different flavors and that do not contain fluor. Symptoms are nervous signs, gastroenteritis, increased heart rate and depending on the level of poisoning death. In the case of severe poisoning, the animal should be immediately administered intravenous calcium gluconate or oral magnesium hydroxide or milk so that these substances join with the fluorine ions.

coal tar: This toxic substance is composed of several products such as cresol, creosote and phenols. They are found in household cleaners and other products. This type of intoxication causes nervous system stimulation, heart weakness and liver damage, the most common symptoms being weakness, jaundice (yellow coloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to increased bilirubin), loss of coordination, excessive rest lying down and even comatose and depending on the level of poisoning, death. There is no specific treatment. But if you have recently ingested it, saline and charcoal solutions can be administered, followed by egg whites to minimize the corrosive effects of the poison.

Insecticides: Included are products that contain chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds, pyrethrins or pyrethroids, carbamates and organophosphates, all toxic for our dogs. Symptoms in this case are frequent urination, excessive salivation, cramps, ataxia, difficulty breathing and seizures. First aid is induction of vomiting with 3% hydrogen peroxide followed by administration of activated charcoal. In any case, it is best to urgently call the veterinarian to administer to the intoxicated dog the specific antidote for the type of active ingredient found in the insecticide that caused the poisoning.

Canthari and other insects: Canthari is an insect called Lytta vesicatoria, also known as "Spanish fly" and which is metallic green in color. This insect contains a toxic chemical also called Canthari. It expels a very irritating substance that causes blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. It is known that in small amounts, for example between 4 and 6 g, are toxic to cats, so for an average dog more grams are needed, but it can also cause intoxication. The most common symptoms are depression, abdominal pain, darkening of the mucous membranes, anorexia and irritation of the digestive and urinary tracts. There is no specific treatment, but if we detect poisoning early, activated charcoal can help. The proper dose of activated charcoal to be administered will be the one explained in the next section and in the case of severe poisoning. You should know that there are more insects that can cause poisoning and allergies in our dogs.

Alcohol: In the case of alcohol poisoning in dogs, the most common are ethanol (alcoholic beverages, disinfectant alcohol, fermenting mass and elixirs), methanol (cleaning products such as windshield wipers) and isopropyl alcohol ( disinfectant alcohol and anti-flea aerosols for animals made with alcohol). The toxic dose is between 4 and 8 ml per kg of weight of the affected animal. Isopropyl alcohol is twice as toxic as ethanol. Intoxication by this type of alcohol is more common in our pets through skin absorption than through ingestion. Symptoms occur between the first half hour and one hour after intoxication. The most common are diarrhea, tremors, loss of coordination, vomiting, disorientation, difficulty breathing and in the worst cases due to this respiratory failure that ends up causing the animal's death. As first aid we must provide ventilation, so we must take the dog outdoors without being exposed to direct sunlight, and if alcohol intake was recent, vomiting should be induced. We must not administer activated charcoal as it will do nothing. Next, we must go to the vet to make sure that he is no longer in danger.

mothballs: They are very toxic to dogs when ingesting them. The substances these pellets contain affect the liver and the central nervous system. The symptoms that occur are seizures and vomiting. It should never induce vomiting, take it to the vet as soon as possible.

Treatments to follow for food and plant poisoning

These are foods we often eat, but they are some of the most toxic foods for our furry friends:

• Chocolate: Chocolate contains a chemical belonging to methylxanthines, specifically theobromine. This substance in humans does not cause any harm since we have enzymes that can metabolize it and convert it into other safer elements. But, dogs and cats do not have these enzymes, so with a small amount of chocolate they can become intoxicated. So, it's a human food that we like, and that's why we often give our pets a few pieces of chocolate as a prize, and that's a big mistake. You should know that pet stores and veterinary clinics sell specific prizes for dogs that can replace chocolate and do not contain theobromine, as they are made especially for them. The more cocoa there is in the chocolate that our dog eats, the more theobromine there will be in that chocolate and the more intoxicated the dog will be. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning usually occur between six and twelve hours after eating chocolate. Symptoms and main signs are vomiting, salivation, insatiable thirst, diarrhea, restlessness and swollen belly. After a while, the symptoms progress and there is hyperactivity, frequent urination, bradycardia, tachycardia, difficulty breathing, tremors, heart and respiratory failure. The first aid treatment in this case is to induce vomiting as soon as you realize that the dog has eaten the dog, after which you should administer activated charcoal orally. If chocolate has been ingested for two or more hours, vomiting will not be very helpful as the stomach digestion process will have already started. Therefore, we must take our intoxicated dog directly to the veterinary emergency and be treated for symptoms immediately with the appropriate material.
• Raisins and grapes: Both grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs and fatal if consumed in large quantities. It is known that in puppies the toxic dose is 32 g of raisins per kg of body weight and 11 to 30 mg per kg of body weight in the case of grapes. Poisoning by these fruits develops an acute kidney failure that leads to death. Symptoms include vomiting, extreme thirst, dehydration, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, inability to produce urine, and finally kidney failure. What we should do in case our dog suspects ingestion of grapes or raisins, especially if it is an important quantity, is to take him to the vet immediately and induce vomiting in our dog as soon as possible. At the veterinarian, in addition to other necessary things, urination will be induced through intravenous fluid therapy.
• wild mushrooms: It is necessary to inform yourself which type of mushroom your dog ingests, to know if it will be toxic for him. There are a multitude of mushrooms and many can be highly toxic to our pets. One of the mushrooms that most poisons our dogs is the Amanita phalloides, which is quite toxic. Symptoms that occur are vomiting, mild diarrhea, other digestive problems, neurological disorders and liver problems. When we see that our furry companion eats a wild mushroom that is toxic to him, we should induce vomiting and then give activated charcoal.
• Onion: Onions contain a toxicant called thiosulfate. Puppies that are poisoned by this component of the onion are because they usually eat onions in their diet or because they ingested a large amount at once. This poisoning causes hemolytic anemia which is a dangerous condition as blood cells are lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, if we detect symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting with blood in our dog, we must immediately take him to the veterinarian where he will be examined and the most appropriate treatment will be applied along with fluid therapy.
• Garlic: Garlic contains the same toxin as onion, thiosulfate. Using a little garlic in small amounts every now and then as a natural flea repellent can be beneficial to your pet. But we must be very careful and if you detect symptoms, you should act as explained in the case of onions.
• plants: There are many plants that are toxic to our dogs, besides the ones we mentioned before that contain cyanide. The symptoms are diverse as they will depend on the plant ingested and the quantity. But usually vomiting and central nervous system problems occur. Depending on the type of plant and its toxic and depending on the amount ingested by our dog, states of coma and death can occur. This is a list of the most common plants that poison dogs: tomato, spinach, azalea, turmeric, avocado and its leaves, oleander, actea, nightshade, belladonna, foxglove, hemlock and its aquatic version, yew, amaryllis, castor , philodendron, daffodils, hedera, rhubarb, poinsettia, mistletoe, holly berry, aloe vera, alfalfa, amaryllis, apple seeds, apricot, asparagus fern, bird of paradise, caladium, water lily, Adam's rib, cherry (seeds and leaves), black hellebore, cineraria, clematis, cordatum, corn plant, croton, cyclamen, dieffenbachia, dracena, dragon tree, elephant ear, fern, geranium, rubber tree, flower of fortune, lily of the valley , lillies, marijuana, mistletoe, bellflower, nephthytis, solano, onion, peach, cactus, poinsettia, rhus, oak, potato plant, evening primrose, rhododendron, philodendron and wisteria.

Advice on dose and oral administration

Below, we will advise you on the different ways to provide the products mentioned in the previous sections to treat poisoning in puppies:

• The most effective way for our dog to swallow an oral solution: This involves inserting the syringe on the side, that is, between the dog's teeth and jowls, so that it is more difficult to expel the liquid we want to administer and easier to swallow if you notice. It is important never to give the top preparation at once, give 1 ml at a time, wait for the liquid to be swallowed and move on to the next ml.
• vomiting induction: We should buy a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution at home at the pharmacy or make a solution of hydrogen peroxide and use a children's syringe to administer the solution orally. We should never use solutions that have concentrations higher than 3% of hydrogen peroxide as some hair care products, as we will damage our pet even more. To prepare this solution and administer it properly, you should know that the dose of 3% hydrogen peroxide is 5 ml (1 teaspoon) for every 2.25 kg of body weight and always administered orally. Administer the dose every 10 minutes for a maximum of 3 doses. If you succeed, administer this oral solution soon after poisoning, in which case you should use 2 to 4 ml of this solution of hydrogen peroxide 3% per kg of body weight. You can also induce vomiting with salt water or a little mustard.
• Activated charcoal: The normal dose is 1 g of dry powder for every half a kilo of body weight. Dissolve the activated charcoal powder in the smallest volume of water possible to form a thick paste and use the syringe to administer it orally. Repeat this dose every 2-3 hours for a total of 4 doses. In case of severe poisoning the dose changes from 2 to 8 g of body weight once every 6 to 8 hours for 3 to 5 days.This dose can be mixed with water and administered with an oral syringe or a stomach tube. Activated carbon is sold in liquid form already diluted in water, in powder or in tablets that we can dilute ourselves at home.
• Milk or milk-water mixture: We can give milk alone or in a 50% dilution with water when we want it to be linked with certain poisons, for example with fluorine, so that the passage to the body is less harmful. The appropriate dose is 10 to 15 ml per kilogram of body weight or whatever the intoxicated dog can consume.
• pectin or kaolin: Must be administered by the veterinarian. The indicated dose is 1 to 2 g per kg of body weight every 6 hours for 5 or 7 days.
• Sodium Nitrate: Must be administered by the veterinarian. 10 g in 100 ml of distilled water or in isotonic saline solution should be administered at a dose of 20 mg per kg of body weight of the animal affected by cyanide.

If someone has purposely poisoned your dog, that is a crime and punishable by law! Read our article on how to report animal abuse.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.