Dogs can be easily poisoned by various plants, chemicals, food, etc. Some of these poisons can be commonly found around the house, in the yard, on the sidewalks, or it may even be that drink or chocolate bar you left lying on the table. Regardless of the source of the poison, there are some indicative signs of poisoning that every dog owner needs to take note of to act immediately and the right way.
Poisoning Symptoms to Remember
You may often not be present to witness your dog ingest a poisonous substance. Without a missing food item or an empty can or bottle to arouse your suspicion, you might not even notice the symptoms of your dog being poisoned until the damage is far gone.
Different toxins affect pets differently, so it would be helpful if you could easily identify the following visible symptoms and their likely implications. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it gives you a general idea of common signs to look out for and what your pet could be going through:
1. Signs Of Gastrointestinal Disorder
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Nausea
2. Signs Of Internal Bleeding
- Lack of appetite
- Bloody vomit
- Increased heart rate
- Pale gums
- Lethargy
- Coughing up blood
- Collapse
3. Signs Of Kidney Failure
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Lack of urine or excessive urination
- Increased thirst
- Halitosis
4. Signs Of Liver Failure
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Black tarry stools
- Low blood sugar
- Jaundice
- Abnormal behavior
What Do You Do If Your Dog Is Poisoned?
While it is understandable that you may go into panic mode and try to use all the first aid measures that you find on the internet to revive your dog, it is advised you do not try making use of remedies like induced vomiting or administering “antidotes” without first contacting a veterinarian and Pet Poison Helpline®. Without the help of a trusted professional on the line to guide you, you may be doing more harm than good, especially if you are not certain of the nature of the toxin that may be causing the symptoms.
If you notice any symptoms that your dog has ingested poison, call Pet Poison Helpline® immediately at 855-764-7661 or take your dog to the nearest veterinarian for medical assistance.
