Dogs are generally cheeky by nature. They can easily swallow substances which end up causing organism problems. Furthermore, a dog can also eat an otherwise harmless substance in excess which consequently causes intoxication. It is imperative to act swiftly to avoid fatality in a case of poisoning.
What Causes Dog Poisoning?
Intoxication is normally brought about as a result of consuming substances such as:
· Insecticides such as rat poison
· Anti-freeze
· Raisins
· Chocolate
· Herbicides
· Fertilizers
· Human medication
What Are the Symptoms of Dog Poisoning?
The symptoms vary according to the substance and amount ingested. The most common ones include:
- Convulsions
- Restlessness
- Excessive urinating
- Excessive drooling
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Lack of appetite
What is the First Aid for Dog Poisoning?
Before you attempt any first aid procedure on a poisoned dog, it’s advisable to call a veterinarian first. Also, avoid close contact because the dog can mistakenly bite you. Otherwise, do the following:
- Note when the symptoms begin to appear. This is important info that the vet will use to establish the proper treatment method.
- Remove objects such as furniture from the area. The dog could easily get hurt when convulsions begin.
- Keep the room dark and quiet. Lights, radios, TVs, etc should all be switched off.
- If the dog is unconscious, administer CPR to restore breathing. Wear gloves to protect yourself from the intoxicating substance in case it’s acidic in nature.
What Should You Tell The Vet?
When dealing with dog poisoning, ensure that you tell the vet all relevant info pertaining to the accident. This is useful as it will help the vet to save the life of the animal, so tell the vet:
- What the dog may have consumed. If it’s possible, show the vet the wrapping of the substance that may have poisoned the dog.
- When the dog may have consumed the toxic substance. Timing is vital in establishing the extent of damage caused.
- The amount of the toxic substance that the dog may have consumed. Severity of the poisoning will be ascertained this way.
What Should You Do When Transporting the Dog to the Vet?
In some cases, the vet will be unable to come to you. This means that you’ll need to transport the dog to the vet. This is what you should do:
- Before leaving the house, make sure that you have all the medical papers of the dog. Always keep the documents in a location that is easy to access.
- In case you’re with someone else when the dog poisoning incident occurs, let the person drive. Sit at the back seat with the dog.
- Place the dog inside a basket to prevent any further injury from occurring. Ensure that the basket is intact and does not slide down while the vehicle is moving.
- If the dog is convulsing, don’t transport him.
- Handle a dog that has ingested acidic stuff using protective gloves. Put on protective clothing as well.