Poisoning in Dogs – What You Should Know

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We live our lives surrounded by various poisons and toxic substances, which can lead to potential illness in our petsStain and Odor Remover
Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover is Guaranteed to remove pet accident stains and odors that other products fail to remove including old uri.... Poisoning is a common problem in dogs and cats due to their curious nature, indiscriminate diets and the intentional administration by a well-meaning owner.

Poison and toxin are terms commonly used interchangeably but do have slightly different meanings. A toxic substance is anything that causes abnormal body function. This includes overdoses of medications as well as poisonous substances. A poison is a substance that can result in abnormal body function and has no medical use.

Damage to the body is based on the amount of poison ingested and how long the poison was in the body before treatment. If treatment is immediate, many poisons do not result in significant illness. Some, regardless of how quickly treatment is administered, are fatal or result in permanent damage.

Antidotes. Another method is to administer an antidote and see how the pet responds. This is only effective if there is already a strong suspicion of a specific poison, there is an antidote available for that toxin and the antidote is given early in the illness. If the pet responds and improves with the antidote, poisoning can be confirmed. An example would be poisoning with anticoagulant rodenticides. If the animal has signs of bleeding, vitamin K can be administered. If the pet improves, the diagnosis is probably rodenticide exposure.

Unfortunately, definitive confirmation of a poisoning is not always possible.

Treatment

All poisonings should be considered emergencies so call your veterinarian immediately. General treatment for poisoning is listed here. Some poisons have specific antidotes or require additional treatment.

Reducing Additional Absorption

By removing as much of the poison as possible, additional absorption can be reduced. For topical exposures, bathe the animal in lukewarm waterFresh Flow Pet Fountain
Pets are naturally attracted to fresh flowing water. This unique silent fountain won’t scare your pet when drinking from bowl or ramp. Ultra Qui... with a mild dish soap. Inducing vomiting or gastric lavage (stomach pumping) can be used if the poison was ingested less than 2 hours before examination. Inducing vomiting should only be attempted in conscious, alert animals and only if recommended by a veterinarian. It is not recommended for those animals that ingest corrosive or petroleum based products or if the animal is already vomiting. Enemas can also be given to eliminate a poison that may be found in the feces.

Delay Absorption

The most common method used to delay absorption of a toxic substance is to administer activated charcoal. This works by binding the toxin and preventing further absorption. The toxin can then pass through the gastrointestinal tract. Cathartics and enemas are used to help speed the transit of the charcoal and poison through the intestines.

Speed Elimination

Intravenous fluids are commonly used to hasten the poison through the body. In certain situations, medications, such as mannitol or furosemide, may be used to accelerate excretion by stimulating the kidneys to produce more urine.

Reduce Continued Toxin Damage

There are antidotes available for certain poisons. Unfortunately, the antidotes are typically only effective early in treatment. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the antidote may no longer be effective. Some antidotes are quite expensive and may not be available in your area.

Some poisons or toxins that have antidotes include:

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Seizure control

Despite all treatment, some poisonings are not amenable to treatment and the pet may not survive.

Home Care and Prevention

For most poisonings, there is not much you can do at home. Consult your veterinarian or veterinary emergency facility if you suspect your pet has been poisoned. For some ingested poisons, your veterinarian may recommend inducing vomiting before bringing the pet in for examination and treatment. Inducing vomiting of a toxic substance should never be done unless specifically directed by a veterinarian.

For topical exposures, bathing in lukewarm water with a mild dish soap can reduce further toxin absorption before the pet is examined and treated by a veterinarian.

The best home care is prevention. Keep all potential poisons safely and securely stored away. Do not allow your pet to roam. Keep your dog leashed or in a fenced-in yard to prevent exposure to toxic substances.

 

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