Poisons in Dogs

If your dog eats or drinks something that is not intended for him, it is possible that your dog will be poisoned. Many substances that we use in and around the house are unhealthy for animals. Household products, plants, medicines but also food can be dangerous for animals.

Different forms of poisoning

Your dog can be poisoned in several ways, namely;

• Direct contact through the skin
• Oral ingestion; your dog has eaten or licked something
• Inhalation; your dog has inhaled something

In addition, we sometimes talk about indirect contact. For example, your dog may have something stuck to his paws that he then licks off.

What are the symptoms of poisoning in dogs?

Poisoning can cause various symptoms. Common symptoms are:

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Bleeding
• Drinking and urinating a lot or not urinating at all
• Behavioral changes
• Palpitations
• Salivating/foaming at the mouth
• Abnormal breathing

How quickly does a dog develop symptoms after poisoning?

If your dog has been poisoned, symptoms may appear quite quickly after ingestion, but sometimes they may not become visible until several days later. This depends on the type of poisoning.

Do you suspect that your dog has been poisoned?

Always contact your veterinarian immediately if you have seen or suspect that your dog may have eaten, inhaled or had been in contact with something poisonning. We can advise you on the steps to take. If possible, keep the packaging of the substance your dog was exposed to at hand so that you can give us important information as soon as possible. Fortunately, acting quickly can often ensure that animals do not suffer any lasting effects from poisoning.

What to do if your dog is poisoned?

In most cases it is known that the dog has eaten or ingested something that can cause poisoning. In that case, a diagnosis is no longer necessary. However, it is important to find out which poison and how much of it your dog has ingested so that the degree of poisoning and the risk can be properly determined.

If it is not clear whether your dog has been poisoned but does show corresponding symptoms, additional tests can be performed, such as a blood test. The blood test the vet performs depends on the symptoms your dog shows. The blood can be used to see how the organs are working, whether there is anemia, and whether there are certain toxins in the blood.

What are the most common poisonings?

Pesticide poisoning

• Mouse and rat poison
• Snail poison
• Weed killer

Treatment: induce vomiting, gastric lavage, administer activated carbon and laxatives. If necessary, administer vitamin K. In some cases, a blood transfusion is needed.

Food poisoning

Much of the food meant for humans can be toxic to dogs, sush as:

• Chocolate
• Raisins/grapes/currants
• Avocado
• Onion/garlic/chives
• Macadamia nut
• Caffeine
• Xylitol (sugar substitute)

Treatment: induce vomiting, administer activated carbon and laxatives. In some cases, additional symptom control and support by means of an intravenous infusion are chosen. In the case of grapes, we also recommend a blood test and repeat this after 3 days.

Drug poisoning

• Ibuprofen
• Paracetamol
• Antidepressants
• Aspirin

Treatment: induce vomiting, administer activated carbon, laxatives, intravenous infusion and symptom control.

Poisoning by household products

• Antifreeze and coolant
• Cleaning products (especially those containing Phenol as an ingredient, e.g. Dettol))
• Mothballs
• Antifungal agents

Treatment: depending on the drug, induce vomiting, gastric lavage and administer activated carbon, laxatives, intravenous infusion, sedation, cooling.

Other causes of poisoning

• Drugs
• Blue-green algae
• Medicines for animals
• Plants and bulbs
• Botulism
• Mushrooms

Treatment: induce vomiting, gastric lavage, laxatives, hospitalization and intravenous infusion, treatment with antidote.

Prognosis / Aftercare

Fortunately, by acting quickly, it can often be ensured that the animals do not suffer any lasting effects from poisoning. Aftercare is necessary for some poisonings. For example, there are certain poisonings that can cause damage to the organs. These changes can sometimes only be seen later. For this reason, you want to perform a blood test and repeat this after a few days.

If you have any further questions about this topic, please contact us!