No one wants to think about their pet becoming sick from something poisonous, but in today’s world with all of the toxic chemicals around it may happen. It is best to learn what to do ahead of time rather than trying to learn about a cure after the dog becomes sick.
Because dogs are scavengers they will eat almost anything lying on the ground; this could include toxic substances such as antifreeze, human medicine, plants, insecticides, and household cleaners. There are also some foods that can be extremely toxic to dogs such as chocolate, grapes, and raisins (which can cause kidney failure), onions and garlic (which can cause damage to red blood cells), avocados, macadamia nuts, and any food containing artificial sweeteners (which can cause seizures, liver failure, and even death).
After ingesting poison the dog may not show any signs of distress but should still be taken to a veterinarian’s office. It can sometimes take days for the poison to work through their system, while in other cases symptoms can be immediate. Signs that your pet may have ingested poison are general weakness, experiencing trouble standing or walking, vomiting, the presence of blood in their urine or excrement, and excessive salivation or urination.
If your pet begins exhibiting symptoms and you suspect poisoning the first rule is to remain calm. It does no good to panic and your pet will pick up on your anxiety. If the dog has regurgitated the veterinarian will need a sample and the same applies if there is blood in their urine or excrement. The next step is to contact your pets’ veterinarian's office or if they are unavailable, the ASPCA’s poison control hotline at (888) 426-4435. There are also 24-hour emergency veterinarians’ offices that can help at any time of the day or night. Do not try to induce vomiting in the dog as this could cause more harm when the poison is brought up.
Not all “people” foods are bad for dogs and in fact, some can be good for them. Bananas are a good source of fiber and potassium, eggs are a great source of protein, and watermelon provides much-needed fluids as well as vitamins C and A. Blackberries and blueberries contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals; pumpkin is a good source of fiber and can help with constipation. Sliced apples are a crunchy, sweet treat but be sure to remove all traces of seeds and the core as they contain small amounts of arsenic.
Animals can experience allergies and food sensitivities much the same way humans can so it’s best to start with a small amount of just one type of new food. Observe the dog to ensure there are no adverse reactions before feeding them larger amounts or another new food. Keep in mind that even large dogs are smaller than humans and just trace amounts of a toxic substance can affect them much more than it does a human.
And here is a personal story, something that happened to me when I had my first dog. Spooky stayed at home while I was working. When I came home from work one evening, I found she had opened the sliding door to the closet, torn open the paper bag full of Halloween candy, and had eaten every bit of what was in there. This dog ate THREE bags of small candy bars (I think one of the bags may have been Tootsie Rolls). As soon as I came in the door, she started vomiting everywhere. I made an emergency trip to the vet and they had to pump her stomach. I was incredibly lucky that I got home in time to get her to the vet before she became really ill. Needless to say, all food items from that point forward were kept in locations that she could not reach.
There may be a point in your pets’ life when they come in contact with something poisonous but armed with some knowledge beforehand you will be able to help your pet work through their medical emergency for a happy outcome.
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