How to help a dog that has been poisoned

In cases of poisoning by various dangerous substances, the treatment depends on which type of poison caused the illness. In order to determine the right course of treatment and deal with the poisoning in time, it is essential to know its symptoms. Of course, you should always seek a vet's help immediately, but it would not hurt to be able to recognise some things yourself and react in time.

Cleaning products, antifreeze, mineral oils, rat and mouse poison and various kinds of insecticide are just some of the dangerous substances dogs come into contact with that harm their health.

Let us look at how each of these poisons affects your pet's body and how to react in a poisoning situation.

1. Cleaning products, methylated spirits, alcohol and fire lighters

Symptoms: a pronounced runny nose half an hour to an hour after poisoning, vomiting and diarrhoea. Over the next three hours there is unsteadiness, anxiety, stiffness of the legs, spasms with occasional upward jerking of the head, and a high temperature of 41 to 42 degrees.

Response: induce vomiting only within the first half hour; after that give activated charcoal and plenty of water in small sips, and take the dog to a vet urgently.

Treatment consists of: an emetic, gastric lavage, sedatives and sleep-inducing agents, infusions to stimulate kidney excretion, and calcium against spasms

2. Antifreeze

Symptoms: a heavy runny nose; a few minutes after contact with antifreeze there is vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, sluggishness, unsteadiness and spasms.

Response: do not induce vomiting; give the dog water in small sips and activated medicinal charcoal. For the dog to make a full recovery, contact a vet for advice.

Treatment involves: gastric lavage, infusions to maintain kidney function, and an antidote given by infusion.

3. Rat and mouse poison

Symptoms: at first there is vomiting, which dog owners often do not notice; after 2 to 6 hours there is sluggishness caused by internal bleeding, pale gums, heavily bloody urine and bloody stools.

Response: go to a vet urgently. In the first 30 to 60 minutes induce vomiting with a salt solution; after the first hour stop forcing vomiting and ease the nausea by giving activated medicinal charcoal.

Treatment consists of vitamin K1 injections and, in the worst cases of poisoning, a blood transfusion.

4. Poisons used on plants (for example slug poison) and various kinds of insecticide

Symptoms: depending on the amount, ingesting this poison can lead to the dog's death within 24 hours. In milder cases, within half an hour to an hour there is a runny nose, vomiting and diarrhoea, followed later by unsteadiness, fear, stiffening of the legs, spasms and a raised temperature.

Response: induce vomiting only after consulting a vet, and only within the first hour, using a concentrated salt solution; until you get to the vet give the usual remedies, activated medicinal charcoal and plenty of fluids.

The recommended treatment for poisoning caused by plant treatment products is as follows: emetics and gastric lavage, sedatives and sleep-inducing medication, an infusion, and calcium to relieve spasms in the limbs.

Treatment to apply in cases of insecticide poisoning:

Flea products, shampoos and powders should be used with care. After applying powder, wipe the coat with a damp cloth; shampoo should be rinsed out thoroughly. Never leave these preparations open near the dog, nor wet collars after bathing, and strictly forbid the dog to drink the water you bathed it in.

5. Mineral oils, medicines and sleeping pills

Symptoms: no vomiting or diarrhoea, but instead deep sleep, fainting, shallow breathing, blue gums and mucous membranes, and a rapid, weak pulse.

Response: within the first half hour to an hour induce vomiting, then give the dog activated medicinal charcoal. After the first hour from ingesting the substance, give the animal activated charcoal and take the dog to a vet immediately.

Treatment: inducing vomiting and gastric lavage, artificial respiration and oxygen, infusions to improve circulation and flush toxins through the kidneys. While it sleeps, the dog must be kept warm and, because of the danger of circulation being cut off, moved into a different position every half hour.

When a dog is poisoned, the most important thing to remember is that vomiting should only be induced within the first hour; after that the dog should only be given activated charcoal or activated medicinal charcoal. Professional help, in these as in many other situations, is the best solution, so it is essential to take the sick animal to a vet. If the vet is too far away, a phone call with them can also be useful.

It is important to remember that in cases of poisoning it is not good to give the dog milk or oil, and that in the case of acid poisoning vomiting should not be induced, because that worsens the burns to the throat and other mucous membranes. Activated charcoal and water will be the only real remedy..