If a dog is apathetic, withdraws and shows vomiting or diarrhea, it is possible that the four-legged friend is suffering from poisoning. Poisoning in dogs can be caused by a wide variety of substances. Rat poison, for example, is quite common for dogs to ingest. The following sections explain which other substances lead to poisoning in dogs and how symptoms of poisoning in dogs can be recognized.
What types of poisoning occur in dogs?
Both indoors and on walks, dogs can come into contact with substances that are poisonous. Outdoors, it is mainly pesticides, fertilizers, poison bait or inedible plants and mushrooms that pose a danger to dogs. Indoors, it is cleaning products and antifreeze, medicines, alcohol and nicotine, certain foods and some house plants.
Things that are considered luxury items for humans, such as chocolate or coffee, can cause severe poisoning in dogs. If you have a dog in your household, it is important to be aware of all the dangers and to keep potential toxins out of reach of your four-legged friends. Further information on the correct care of dogs can be found in the dog guide.
poisoning by pesticides
The use of insecticides, rodenticides or herbicides can lead to poisoning in dogs . Whether in your own garden, on your neighbor’s property or in the fields: dogs can ingest the substances directly or indirectly by eating poisoned animals or treated plants.
Rat poison can cause severe bleeding
Especially in spring or autumn, when the drugs are used more frequently, you should pay attention to what the dogs eat outside. Poisoning with rat poison or snail pellets is very common. Many rodenticides are based on anticoagulants (blood clotting inhibitors).
If a dog eats rat poison of this kind , the substances it contains inhibit important enzymes for the synthesis of vitamin K. Vitamin K, in turn, is essential for the formation of certain blood clotting factors. If the supply of these factors is exhausted, the blood can no longer clot. Severe bleeding of the internal organs can result. Treatment includes administering vitamin K.
Warning :
The tricky thing about poisoning with anticoagulant-based substances is that the symptoms of poisoning usually appear after a delay (three to five days). Often, the symptoms are no longer associated with the ingestion of a substance (e.g. during a walk).
Neurological poisoning with snail pellets
Snail pellets, on the other hand, contain metaldehyde . Signs of poisoning in dogs that have eaten snail pellets appear more quickly – often just two to three hours after ingesting the poison. Since metaldehyde passes through the blood-brain barrier, it causes central nervous symptoms such as depression, cramps or seizures.
Hyperthermia (body temperature 41 degrees Celsius or higher) usually occurs, which can cause multiple organ failure. Treatment consists of removing the poison from the body. Dogs that survive the first 24 hours usually have a good chance of survival.
Signs of fertilizer poisoning
Mineral fertilizers can also be dangerous for dogs. Blaukorn , an NPK (nitrate, phosphate & potassium salt) fertilizer that is used in agriculture and in hobby gardens, causes poisoning in dogs. Sometimes it is ingested directly, but poisoning can also occur by drinking from puddles on the edge of fields or by licking the paws after contact. This can result in irritation of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract and reduced oxygen transport via the blood. Here, too, toxic residues must be removed from the gastrointestinal tract and measures to stabilize the circulation must usually be taken.
Poisoning from household products and food
In the home, dogs most often poison themselves by ingesting chocolate, medication, grapes or raisins, as well as cleaning or antifreeze products. Chocolate contains, among other things, the methylxanthine theobromine , which can affect various organ systems.
Chocolate is poisonous for dogs
The first signs of chocolate poisoning are often vomiting or diarrhea . Restlessness, rapid heartbeat, muscle cramps or seizures can also occur. If treatment is carried out within two to four hours of ingestion, the prognosis is usually good.
Did you know?
Dark chocolate and baking chocolate contain 20 to 25 times more theobromine than milk chocolate. Dogs can experience symptoms of poisoning from as little as 15 mg of theobromine per kilogram of body weight.
Symptoms of Poisoning by Stone Fruit
Grapes or raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs within 24 hours . The first signs are often vomiting or diarrhea and are therefore no different from the symptoms of many other poisonings. The number of grams required to cause symptoms of poisoning varies from dog to dog . For some dogs, a few grapes or raisins are enough, while other dogs remain clinically unremarkable.
If grape poisoning is suspected, dogs should be given sufficient fluids (usually via infusion therapy for at least 48 hours in a veterinary clinic) to support and maintain kidney function.
Alcohol Poisoning in Dogs
For us humans, a glass of wine is an absolute pleasure. Unfortunately, for our dogs it is not. Alcohol is very dangerous for dogs. It can be fatal if consumed. Dogs can also suffer chronic liver and kidney damage, just like humans. Symptoms such as acute vomiting, shortness of breath and seizures are common.
caffeine poisoning
Many people cannot imagine a Monday morning without caffeine. It can be fatal for dogs if they accidentally consume coffee. Coffee contains methylxanthine, which is toxic to dogs. It affects the nervous system. Such poisoning mainly leads to vomiting, restlessness or rapid heartbeat.
Whether in the garden, in the apartment or on a walk – dogs can come into contact with poisonous plants in many places . If the dog has eaten such plants, the plant remains should be removed from the mouth and the dog should be taken to a vet. The list of plants that can cause symptoms of poisoning in dogs is long.
Symptoms of Plant Poisoning
Here are some examples of these plants:
- cherry laurel
- poinsettia
- daffodil
- ivy
- ferns
- rhododendron
- lily of the valley
- tulips
- Ficus species
- orchids
Young animals in particular like to nibble on plants in the garden, and this can also happen to adult dogs in the home if they are bored. You should definitely teach your dog not to eat plants and provide him with enough entertainment. This way you can avoid this situation.
How and when does poisoning become noticeable?
The symptoms of poisoning in dogs vary. They depend on the substance and the amount ingested. For many substances, the more a person eats, the more severe the symptoms are.
If the dog is apathetic and withdraws, this may indicate poisoning, but also other diseases Dogs often react to the ingestion of toxic substances with vomiting or diarrhea .
The following list shows other symptoms that can occur in case of poisoning:
- restlessness
- staggering
- excessive salivation
- increased heart or respiratory rate
- bleeding from body openings
- pale, bluish or noticeably reddened mucous membranes and gums
- muscle tremors, cramps or seizures
- greatly increased or decreased body temperature
- loss of consciousness
- sudden deaths
How do you react correctly in an emergency?
Due to the large number of substances that can lead to poisoning, it is impossible for laypeople to provide targeted help in an emergency. It is therefore advisable to visit a vet.
The aim is to calm the dog and let him know that you are there for him. If the animal is unconscious, it should be laid flat on its side. Its head should be turned so that it can move and saliva and vomit can drip from its mouth.
It is important not to make the dog vomit. It is not possible to induce vomiting in a dog using the finger-down-the-throat method. It can also be dangerous if the poisonous stomach contents rise to the top. You should also not give milk or oil, as this will cause some poisons to be absorbed even faster!
Please call the vet if there is anything wrong with the animal and bring it to the practice immediately! If necessary, you should take the substance that the animal has ingested with you and bring it in for examination if necessary.
How is poisoning treated?
If the ingestion of toxic substances has been observed or if poisoning is suspected based on the dog’s symptoms, a veterinary clinic should be visited as soon as possible. Early treatment improves the prognosis.
If the poison has just been ingested or has occurred no more than two hours ago, vomiting can be induced to remove the substances from the stomach. In cases of severe poisoning, gastric lavage is often performed under anesthesia. The dog then remains in hospital for infusion therapy to stabilize the circulation and to monitor organ functions.
You can claim the costs for veterinary treatments following poisoning with the dog health insurance get a refund from SantéVet.
Can charcoal tablets help?
Activated charcoal (medical charcoal) can be administered as a first aid measure in cases of poisoning . The dosage is one gram per kilogram of body weight. However, charcoal should only be administered if the dog can still swallow and readily takes the tablets or suspension. A visit to the vet is also advisable after the charcoal has been administered in order to have blood clotting and organ values checked. In order to allow the gastrointestinal mucous membranes to recover, it may also be necessary to take a bland diet to feed.
Can I protect my dog from poison bait?
To avoid poisoning your dog with poison bait, owners should follow the following advice:
- Always keep an eye on the animal during the walk
- Keep the dog busy so that he doesn’t have time to rummage around
- Pay attention to notices warning of possible poison baits
- Conducting Anti-Poison Bait Training for Dogs