home Audience 6 What happens to a dog when it is poisoned? Food poisoning in dogs: how and with what to help your pet. Here is a list of the most undesirable products

What happens to a dog when it is poisoned? Food poisoning in dogs: how and with what to help your pet. Here is a list of the most undesirable products

Poisoning in dogs is common. They can be caused by both poor quality food and toxic substances. Intoxication with some toxic substances can lead to death in a matter of minutes. This article tells you what to do if your dog is poisoned, what symptoms you should pay attention to, and when to take your animal to the vet immediately.

Causes of dog poisoning

Dogs are not very picky about food. They love to try everything, put it in their mouth and chew it. Poisoning can occur for many reasons:

when eating stale and low-quality food. A dog may eat rotten or spoiled meat; some animals are even attracted to the smell of such food. A dog can also be poisoned by expired dog food;
ingestion of medications or narcotic substances left by the owners in an accessible place by the pet;
consumption of dog poison or toxic substances. Nowadays, cases of intentional poisoning of dogs are very common. People who do this are called dog hunters. They place poison in places where pets walk, and can mix it into pieces of meat and bread;
dog eating household chemicals, detergents. For example, an animal can drink from a bucket containing floor cleaning liquid, or eat a piece of soap;
chemical gases. It could be fumes cigarette smoke, chemical weapon. If the dog lives on the territory industrial enterprise, she may inhale chemical fumes;
due to contact of toxic substances with mucous membranes, fur or skin. This could be an incorrectly applied tick or flea treatment to the animal's skin;
house plants that are poisonous to animals are rhododendrons, daffodils, tulips, azaleas;
sweetener xylitol - it is fatal to the animal's body. Just one tablet can lead to hypoglycemic coma and death of the dog.

Please note that poisoning of a puppy can be caused by food that is incorrectly selected for its age.

Suspicious food - immediate action

If you notice that your dog has eaten something on the street and it seems suspicious to you, be vigilant. This is not the case when you should count on luck. Under no circumstances should you feed your dog immediately after poisoning. This can significantly worsen the situation by accelerating the absorption of the poison into the body.

When it comes to first aid, there are several steps you need to take. Follow the step by step instructions.

In every case of poisoning, the first step is to rid the body of further exposure to toxic substances. Induce vomiting in the animal. This can be done in several ways. Big amount water (but not with a salt solution, as this can lead to another type of poisoning in the dog). You can use hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. Check the dosage with a specialist, as much depends on the breed of the dog, its weight and age.

Some owners are able to induce vomiting mechanically. You just need to press on the root of the tongue. But be careful! You yourself know firsthand about the power of your pet’s jaws. Do not use popular methods (salt, mustard, soda, etc.).

Unfortunately, even vomiting is not able to completely rid the dog’s body of the toxic substance, so you need to use sorbents. Activated carbon is perfect for this purpose. You need to give your dog medicine at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight. Other sorbents applicable to humans (enterosgel, smecta, polyphepam, etc.) are also suitable. All these remedies are applicable even if you fail to induce vomiting.
Give the animal a saline laxative. The dosage is also clarified by a specialist. Thus, toxic substances will be eliminated from the body as quickly as possible.

After that, all you have to do is watch the dog. It is better to repeat the use of sorbents after some time. If deterioration is observed, repeat the operations. In parallel with providing first aid, try to contact a veterinarian.

Main clinical manifestations

Symptoms of poisoning in dogs develop within the first 24 hours after the toxic substance enters the animal’s body. Clinical manifestations depend on what exactly the dog was poisoned with, how the poison entered the body and its amount.

Below are the main signs of dog poisoning with various substances.

Food poisoning

If a dog is poisoned by food, the first symptoms may begin to appear within a few hours after eating. They may develop faster in a puppy.

Clinical manifestations of food poisoning:

general weakness of the animal, it becomes inactive, lethargic, refuses to play with its favorite toys;
poor appetite, the pet refuses to eat the food offered to it;
vomiting, first there may be food debris in the vomit, and then mucus, gastric juice and bile;
profuse diarrhea, stools are thin, watery, and may have a foul odor;
increased passage of gases may be accompanied intestinal colic, pain in the abdomen, while the animal whines and groans.

Poisoning with rat poison

impaired coordination of movements. The first thing owners notice is that their pet staggers when walking; it can fall to one side, crash into walls, or hit corners;
the appearance of cramps in all muscle groups. In this case, the animal’s head tilts back, its paws stretch out, and convulsions may be accompanied by the release of white foamy saliva from the mouth;
severe vomiting and diarrhea, which may contain blood.

Rules for providing first aid to a poisoned dog

All owners should know what to do if their dog is poisoned. When poisoned by drugs or poisons, there is no time to think, since the pet can die in a matter of minutes. First aid for a dog in case of poisoning is provided by the owners, after which the animal should be immediately taken to veterinary clinic.

Remember that if a dog has been poisoned by an acid or alkali, it is forbidden to induce vomiting and rinse the stomach yourself! This will lead to further damage to the walls of the esophagus and stomach and severe internal bleeding.

Products that should always be in your first aid kit

There are several medications that a dog needs in one case or another. In order not to run headlong to the pharmacy to get them after an illness has occurred, always keep them in your first aid kit:

Vitamin B6 injections. It is also called "Pyridoxine". Available at any pharmacy.
Vitamin K1. Can also be purchased at a pharmacy. Only K3 can replace it (and even then partially). Special veterinary drug not sold in Russia (but better check, times change).
Unithiol. This is an excellent antidote. It is quite expensive and can only be used with the permission of a doctor.
Atropine. It is needed only in exceptional cases. You most likely will not be able to purchase it, and this is correct, since the drug is extremely toxic. It should only be used by a qualified specialist.
Medicines that can cause vomiting. They are also quite dangerous to your dog's health if you use them incorrectly. Therefore, a doctor should supervise the intake.
Laxatives.
Furosemide or other diuretics.
Syringes.

There are several types of poisoning, and each of them requires a special approach to treatment. Below we describe in detail how to save your dog from poisoning and what to do before going to the vet.

Diet

As soon as you notice changes in your pet's well-being that resemble poisoning, remove his food bowl. On the first day of illness, the dog should fast. You can start eating only after the veterinarian's permission.

Hunger is necessary for rest and relief digestive system. In case of poisoning with poisons and chemicals there is a high risk of developing internal bleeding, it can be triggered by food.

Gastric lavage

Treatment at home should begin with gastric lavage. To do this, you will need a 20 ml syringe and clean table water at room temperature. Inject 20-40 ml of water into the dog's mouth and press with your finger on the root of the tongue. Don't be upset if you can't induce vomiting. Water will dilute the toxic substance in the stomach, reduce its concentration and Negative influence to the mucous membrane.

Gastric lavage is contraindicated when:

coughing and black vomiting (symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding);
etching with acids or alkalis;
impairment of the animal's consciousness.

Do not add to gastric lavage solutions medications, potassium permanganate or herbal decoctions. Potassium permanganate is prohibited for use in animals; even in low concentrations it can cause burns to the mucous membrane.

When your dog consumes acids and alkalis, do not try to neutralize these substances. For example, if a dog that has been poisoned by vinegar (acid) tries to neutralize the contents of the stomach with a solution of peroxide (alkali), a powerful shock will occur in the stomach. chemical reaction, as a result of which is formed a large number of gas The gastric mucosa may not be able to withstand it and burst.

Purgation

You can give your dog an enema yourself. Take a small bulb (50-100 ml volume), fill it with plain water at room temperature and insert it into the dog’s rectum.

Then you should wait until the animal goes to the toilet and repeat this procedure again. An enema should be done before the appearance clean waters. Do not add medications or other substances to the colon cleanse solution.

Sorbents are a group of drugs whose action is aimed at binding and removing toxins from the digestive system. There are a lot of sorbents. They all differ in dosage. We will consider the rules for taking the simplest and most common sorbent - activated carbon. This drug can be found in almost every home medicine cabinet.

The dosage should be calculated based on the weight of the animal: per 10 kg – 1 tablet. For example, if the weight of an animal is 5 kg – half a tablet, if it is 30 kg – 3 tablets. You can give a little more, it won't do any harm. For example, if your dog weighs 17 kg, take 2 tablets rather than 1.5. Grind the required amount of activated carbon and mix it with 5-10 ml of plain water. Pour the resulting solution into the pet’s mouth through a syringe (without a needle).

Drinking regime

The process of soldering off a poisoned animal is long and painstaking. After vomiting and diarrhea, the dog is dehydrated. She should be given water little by little and often. Pour 5 ml of water into her mouth every 5-10 minutes.

Please note that in case of isoniazid poisoning, the dog must be given an antidote - vitamin B6 - within the first 30 minutes. If there are cases of intentional poisoning of dogs in the area where you live, buy this vitamin and always carry it with you. If necessary, administer it to your animal immediately. Consult your veterinarian in advance about the rules of dosing and administration of this antidote.

Treatment at a veterinary clinic

Only a veterinarian can determine the exact cause. feeling unwell animal, make a diagnosis and tell the owners how to help the dog in this situation.

If the animal's condition is critical, it will be left in the hospital. IN case of lung poisoning, the doctor will describe the rules of diet, drinking and schedule a visit to the clinic for injections and IVs.

Treatment for poisoning may consist of the following groups of drugs:

Do not self-medicate your pet. Even if he feels a little better after the first aid you provided, take him to the vet for an examination and consultation. Treatment at home can only be carried out after a doctor's prescription.

Prevention of dog poisoning

According to statistics, the most main reason acute poisoning in dogs is the carelessness and inattention of the owners. Below are tips to help you protect your pet from poisoning:

check the manufacturing date of the food you feed your dog, do not give it expired food;
walk your pet in a muzzle, so you will be sure that he will not swallow anything on the street;
stop your puppy from picking up and eating something during walks;
store medications detergents, cosmetics, alcohol in places inaccessible to the dog.

Poisoning in dogs can lead to severe consequences and death. First aid is provided by the owners, after which the animal must be taken to a veterinarian. Self-medication can be not only ineffective, but also life-threatening for your pet.

After accidental ingestion of poison into the body or as a result of someone’s malicious intent, signs of poisoning in dogs appear in to varying degrees. It is extremely important to immediately take measures to remove toxins from your pet’s gastrointestinal tract in order to reduce his suffering and avoid fatal outcome. In addition, you need to be able to accurately distinguish poisoning from other diseases with similar symptoms.

Symptoms of poisoning in dogs

The way a dog behaves when poisoned is sometimes very similar to the manifestations infectious diseases. Owners often confuse poisoning with initial stage viral, since in both cases the dog exhibits vomiting and refusal to eat. In order to take the right measures and not cause even more harm, you need to take a closer look at the dog’s behavior: with enteritis and has a foamy structure, it intensifies as the disease develops. Signs of obvious poisoning in dogs are when, in addition to vomiting and excessive salivation, symptoms of damage to the nervous system appear:

Poisoning a dog with rat poison

Rat poison can enter a dog’s body not only in pure form, but also as a result of eating the carcasses of rodents killed by poison. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned by rat poison, remember that in dogs the symptoms of poisoning with this poison are as follows:

difficulty breathing due to pulmonary edema;
weakening of the pulse;
pallor;
vomit;
convulsions;
lack of urination.

Signs of poisoning develop within 2-3 hours after eating the poison. With timely measures taken, in most cases it is possible to achieve a favorable outcome. The first thing to do, if no more than 4 hours have passed since the poisoning, is to induce profuse vomiting by rinsing the stomach with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and then give the dog an absorbent (“Polysorb”, “Enterosorb”). Next, you need to feed the animal mucous decoctions - rice, rolled oats, flaxseed.

Poisoning of dogs with isoniazid

Isoniazid or tubazid is a medicine for tuberculosis. Most dogs become victims of poisoning with this substance as a result of the actions of so-called dog hunters. The danger of the drug is that dogs cannot metabolize the substance effectively. It is absorbed into the blood very quickly, so the first signs of a dog being poisoned by poison appear after half an hour. The dog “skids”, it looks clearly weakened, appears profuse salivation, vomiting blood, convulsions, respiratory depression and coma. If action is not taken within an hour, death occurs.

The first thing to do while the dog is still conscious is to induce vomiting by giving him something to drink. saline solution or a solution of hydrogen peroxide in a 1:1 ratio with water. After this, the drug is immediately administered - the antidote isoniazid. This is done intravenously or intramuscularly at the rate of 1 ml per 5 kg of animal weight. Next, you can give the dog “Polysorb” or “Enterosgel”, after which you need to immediately take the dog to the veterinarian.

Food poisoning in a dog

If a dog has eaten spoiled food or something not typical of its diet, for example, sometimes chocolate poisoning occurs in dogs, it may experience an acute reaction from the gastrointestinal tract. It would be a mistake to believe that the dog’s body will cope with this on its own, that this is a trivial problem that will solve itself after a couple of days. If not provided timely assistance, may arise serious complications and even death. What are the symptoms of food poisoning in a dog and how to treat it:

the dog becomes apathetic, does not respond to commands, refuses to eat and drink;
periodically begins to behave very restlessly and inappropriately;
breathing is disrupted and becomes irregular;
more severe symptoms– convulsions, bloody vomiting and diarrhea due to further development of the disease in the absence of help.

You can help the animal with the help of urgent measures:

induce vomiting mechanically or give her a solution of potassium permanganate;
give her activated carbon or another absorbent;
perform an enema.

Protein poisoning in dogs

Understand that the dog was poisoned due to feeding poor quality industrial feed or exclusively meat food possible based on the following criteria:

hair loss occurs on the back, above the tail, on the muzzle;
the coat becomes dull, hard and brittle;
dandruff appears - dying skin flakes;
the dog is constantly itching;
weight loss occurs;
the urine darkens and acquires a pungent odor.

All these signs protein poisoning in dogs they do not appear immediately, but gradually, 4 weeks after the introduction of poorly balanced, often cheap food into its diet. Treatment in this case consists of transferring the dog to another, more suitable food or a decrease in muscle meat in the diet and symptomatic treatment coat and skin - bathing in special shampoos, reception antihistamines to reduce itching.

Poisoning a dog with tick repellent

lethargy;
uncertain shaky gait;
the appearance of dry or weeping eczema at the site where the collar was worn or the product was applied;
restlessness, scratching the affected area of skin.

Arsenic poisoning in dogs

Develops as a result of careless storage of poison or deliberate baiting of an animal. Poisoning a dog with arsenic gives the following symptoms after just half an hour:

the dog rubs its face with its paws;
she has symptoms acute attacks vomiting;
diarrhea the color of rice water;
barking becomes hoarse, intermittent, silent;
movement becomes difficult;
paw cramps are observed.

In the absence of immediate help, arsenic poisoning ends in death. Emergency first aid is that the dog needs to be given water with vinegar (1 tsp per 250 g of water) or citric acid(3-4 g per glass). After this, you need to urgently take the dog to the veterinarian or call him to your home. To prevent such poisoning, you need to wean your dog from eating food on the street and accepting food from strangers.

Boric acid poisoning in dogs

If a four-legged animal gets into the body boric acid, poisoning in a dog is manifested by the following symptoms:

nausea and vomiting appears;
diarrhea accompanied by bloody discharge;
temperature drops to 36 °C;
cardiac activity decreases;
a red rash covers the skin;
the dog hides in a corner, sits hunched over, shaking its ears;
twitching of muscle tissue is observed.

What to do if you see similar signs of poisoning in dogs:

give the animal a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
give burnt magnesia or liquid starch paste;
Call the veterinarian - you only have a few hours to save the animal.

Dog poisoning with zoocoumarin

Signs of poisoning in dogs by this species rat poison the following:

weakness;
pallor of the mucous membranes;
lack of appetite;
dyspnea;
bleeding from the gums and nasal passages;
bleeding from the rectum, blood in the urine, coughing up blood.

IN severe cases poisoning, the animal dies from multiple hemorrhages, including subcutaneous ones. If your dog is poisoned, what to do immediately:

give the dog a sorbent;
administer vitamin K1 (Konakion) subcutaneously or orally - a specific antidote to zoocoumarin;
take the animal to the veterinarian or invite the veterinarian home, then strictly follow his instructions for taking Konakion; therapy lasts up to 8 days.

Mercury poisoning in dogs

Mercury is included in many chemical compounds used to treat seeds before planting and to treat wood. With prolonged contact of an animal with such compounds, it begins to gradually develop acute or chronic mercury poisoning. How to understand that a dog has been poisoned:

as a result of metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders, the dog develops diarrhea and anuria;
the animal becomes lethargic, depressed, depressed;
no urination;
appetite disappears, the animal gradually becomes exhausted;
convulsions appear, coordination of movements is impaired, and paralysis occurs.

In the absence of help, the animal dies within 5-10 days. First urgent Care- this is gastric lavage with activated carbon or a mixture crushed and diluted with water egg white with water. After this, the dog needs to be given a laxative - a decoction of marshmallow root, flaxseeds, milk. The antidote to mercury is the drug "Unitol", which is administered intravenously at the rate of 25 mg per kilogram of animal weight. For further treatment veterinary help must be sought.

How to save a dog from poisoning?

As you already understand, the measures taken largely depend on the specific source of poisoning. The general principles are to urgently lavage the stomach, take a sorbent and seek qualified help from a veterinarian. If you cannot independently determine the exact cause for treatment, food poisoning or paracetamol poisoning in dogs, or more serious poisoning, it is better to immediately call your veterinarian at home.

What to give your dog if he is poisoned?

So, the scheme of the first immediate actions in case of any poisoning of an animal and emergency treatment Poisonings in dogs are as follows:

Stop contact with the poison.
If the poison gets inside, induce vomiting (except in cases of poisoning with acid, petroleum products, caustic alkalis). To do this, give the dog warm solution with table salt or soda, or prepare a solution of hydrogen peroxide in a 1:1 ratio and give it to the dog at a dose of 1 tablespoon per 3 kg of body weight.
If the poison gets on skin, wash it off with running water and baby soap.
In case of poisoning carbon monoxide take the dog out Fresh air and rinse the mucous membranes of your mouth and eyes with a 3% solution of baking soda.
Call the veterinarian, and while he is driving, give the animal an adsorbent, after half an hour - a laxative and enveloping agent.

Feeding a dog after poisoning

The next day after the onset of vomiting, the dog should be kept on starvation diet. What to feed your dog after poisoning: gradually introduce it into the diet light food, first it will be broth, liquid decoctions of cereals, then liquid porridge and minced meat. Such food is easily digestible, quickly digested and does not form stagnation, which is important during the period when the stomach and intestines are vulnerable and the liver is not able to cope with the abundance of incoming products.

Unlike cats, dogs are indiscriminate eaters and will often put anything in their mouth. This happens both on a walk and at home. In case of poisoning, events develop very quickly. A dog can die for a short time – from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Therefore, owners must know the main symptoms and be able to provide first aid.

1Storage in an easily accessible place hazardous substances, cleaning agents or medications. For example, antifreeze for cars. It is sweet, and the dog will gladly try it at the first opportunity. The substance will act within a few minutes - the dog will become lethargic, drowsy, convulsions and even paralysis may occur.

Human medications can lead to dire consequences, For example:

diphenhydramine (convulsions, tachycardia, coma);
sleeping pills (drowsiness turning into deep dream with slowing of breathing and pulse, then unconsciousness);

analgin (difficulty breathing, convulsions);
strychnine (convulsions, death).

Poor nutrition. Many products are not suitable for animals. For example, chocolate, especially dark chocolate, contains theobromine, which is dangerous for dogs. Depending on the size of the dog and the amount of chocolate, anything can happen: from simple disorder stomach to cramps and even heart attack. Also dangerous for dogs:

grapes (kidney problems);
alcohol (vomiting, coma, death);

xylitol (convulsions, drop in blood sugar);
avocado (vomiting and stomach upset).

Plants. Approximately 400 species are dangerous to dogs, for example:

aloe (vomiting, tremors, depression);
hyacinth (shivering, vomiting, diarrhea);
iris (abdominal pain, vomiting blood);

lily of the valley (vomiting, heart problems, death);
narcissus (lower blood pressure, serious disorders stomach).

Uncontrolled walks.

The medicine against tuberculosis for humans is isoniazid. Most often used by dog hunters (voluntary dog fighters).
Rat poison. Also used by dog killers, but can also be caught by accident.

More than anything puppies are vulnerable. They are inexperienced and often put things in their mouths just to play. With age, the dog learns that eating from someone else’s hands and picking up pieces on the street is prohibited.

Symptoms of poisoning

But there is specific symptoms , which can be used to guess what exactly the dog was poisoned with:

1 Dog poisoning with isoniazid. Within half an hour the first signs may begin:

the dog tries to run chaotically, while staggering;

vomiting or bloody foam may appear;
convulsions and coma occur.

The drug acts on the brain and central nervous system. If you don’t have time with treatment - the dog dies within 1-3 hours.

2 Poisoning by rat poison in dogs. It interferes with blood clotting and begins to act after 3-5 days. The main symptoms of dog poisoning by rat poison:

3 Arsenic. Signs appear 0.5 - 2 hours after poisoning:

the animal rubs its muzzle with its paws;
the dog is vomiting violently;

she barks hoarsely;
convulsions may occur.

First aid for a dog in case of poisoning

In order not to waste time, which may be too little, you need to spend first aid measures. What to do and what can be given to a dog if it is poisoned?

1Food poisoning:

You need to get rid of the poison immediately - induce vomiting or rinse your stomach. You can give your dog a drink of saline solution, a 1:1 solution of hydrogen peroxide, pour half a glass into the mouth vegetable oil. If you know that an acid or alkali has been swallowed, under no circumstances should you induce vomiting! This should also not be done if the dog is unconscious.
If it is known that the dog is poisoned with isoniazid, you need to inject it with vitamin B6. You can buy it at a regular pharmacy, the dosage is approximately 1 ml per 5 kg of weight. In this case, it is better to inject more than normal. A small amount will not help, and an overdose is not dangerous.
It is necessary to create comfort and calm conditions for the dog. For example, wrap her in a blanket or just cover her, don’t make noise or panic around her.

2A bite of an insect. You need to apply ice to the bite site as soon as possible. This will slow down the spread of poison throughout the body. It will also give your dog some relief.

3Skin contact with chemicals. You urgently need to wash the dog with baby soap, the water should not be hot.

4Poisoning by vapors or gases. In this case, you cannot induce vomiting. You need to take the dog out into the fresh air and give him a few tablespoons of sunflower oil.

In any case, the animal is needed take him to the vet immediately.

Treating a dog for poisoning

How to treat a dog if it is poisoned? Treatment is prescribed only by a doctor. To make it more effective, it is important to remember under what circumstances the poisoning occurred. This will help determine the type of poison.

Usually the doctor prescribes injections, gastric lavage and droppers. More serious procedures may also be required.

You should not try to treat poisoning in a dog at home without permission - this can worsen its condition and lead to a terrible result.

Life after poisoning

After successful treatment the dog needs rehabilitation and special care.

What to feed your dog after poisoning? On the first day, the doctor will recommend not feeding the animal. On the second day, you can give a little low-fat broth. It is better to feed the dog for the next month light healthy food that is easily digestible.

From childhood you should train your dog not to eat from someone else's hands and do not pick up anything on the street. For those who are particularly stubborn, it is worth buying a special muzzle. It is also worth paying attention good nutrition dogs so that she does not have to look for missing substances on the street.

Video about poisoning in dogs

We invite you to watch the video where in his interview the veterinarian gives useful tips, which will help avoid poisoning.

Numerous pet-related forums discuss useful topics. For example, how to train a dog not to pick up food on the street, or what poison planted by dog hunters looks like. And do you have helpful information that will help dogs survive?

There are several types of poisoning: food poisoning (when a dog eats something toxic), respiratory (when a dog inhales toxic substances through the nose) and contact (through the skin). The first type of poisoning is most often recorded. Its main signs are: vomiting, diarrhea, cramps or muscle weakness, a general depressed state - the animal refuses food and whines.

It is necessary to deliver the animal to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible and ensure the provision of qualified care. In addition, try to provide first aid to the dog yourself. To do this, you need to provoke profuse vomiting: dilute in a glass warm water a tablespoon of salt and pour it into the dog’s mouth.

What to give your dog if he is poisoned?

Use adsorbents - substances that bind poisons in the intestines. The usual drugs from your own medicine cabinet will do: enterosgel or other drugs of similar effect that you have on hand. The easiest way to administer them is with a regular syringe without a needle.

If your dog has carbon monoxide poisoning, take him out into the fresh air. Keep her calm and make sure she has enough water in her bowl. If carbon monoxide poisoning is severe, you will need the help of a veterinarian.

If chemicals (such as alkaline cleaners) come into contact with your pet's skin, the area should be washed thoroughly with warm soapy water. If your dog has eaten such chemicals, under no circumstances should you perform a gastric lavage, as you would with regular food poisoning. In this case, poisons during vomiting can further damage the esophageal mucosa. Just wash your dog's mouth and face warm water take her to urgently veterinarian.

A separate point is poisoning with two poisons popular among dog hunters - isoniazid (tablets for tuberculosis) and rat poison. In the first case, the dog will not vomit or have diarrhea, but will experience severe convulsions and lack of coordination.

In this case, you should keep a one percent solution of vitamin B6 (aka pyridoxine) in your medicine cabinet for intramuscular injections(volume depends on the size and weight of the pet).

A sign of rat poison poisoning is blood in the stool and vomit. Another sign is the smell of garlic from the mouth. In this case, you need to improve blood clotting: a vitamin K injection will help.

Do not forget that only a veterinarian can prescribe treatment for a dog in case of poisoning, so at the first sign you need to immediately call him or call an ambulance veterinary care. All of the above tips are first aid that the owner can provide to the dog before meeting with a veterinary specialist.

After providing first aid, take the animal to the clinic as soon as possible. Do not treat at home under any circumstances.

For most poisonings you will need qualified assistance: for example, in case of poisoning with acids and alkalis, gastric lavage with a tube will be required. After rat poison, the dog will be prescribed a complex medications. Also, after any poisoning, the animal will need rest and a restorative diet for some time, which will be prescribed by a veterinarian.

If your dog is poisoned by something at home, after a visit to the veterinarian, carry out a thorough inspection: remove all the most dangerous substances, cleaning products, medications and other chemicals from the animal’s access area.

If your dog is poisoned on the street, subsequently pay more attention to training. Try to wean the animal from picking up something from the ground. Pay close attention to what your dog sniffs at, and do not let the animal off the leash near garbage dumps or in unfamiliar parks.

Causes of dog poisoning

Dogs are not very picky about food. They love to try everything, put it in their mouth and chew it. Poisoning can occur for many reasons:

when eating stale and low-quality food. A dog may eat rotten or spoiled meat; some animals are even attracted to the smell of such food. A dog can also be poisoned by expired dog food;
ingestion of medications or narcotic substances left by the owners in an accessible place by the pet;
consumption of dog poison or toxic substances. Nowadays, cases of intentional poisoning of dogs are very common. People who do this are called dog hunters. They place poison in places where pets walk, and can mix it into pieces of meat and bread;
the dog eating household chemicals and detergents. For example, an animal can drink from a bucket containing floor cleaning liquid, or eat a piece of soap;
chemical gases. This could be fumes, cigarette smoke, or chemical weapons. If a dog lives on the territory of an industrial enterprise, it may inhale chemical fumes;
due to contact of toxic substances with mucous membranes, fur or skin. This could be an incorrectly applied tick or flea treatment to the animal's skin;
house plants that are poisonous to animals are rhododendrons, daffodils, tulips, azaleas;
sweetener xylitol - it is fatal to the animal's body. Just one tablet can lead to hypoglycemic coma and death of the dog.

Please note that poisoning of a puppy can be caused by food that is incorrectly selected for its age.

Suspicious food - immediate action

When it comes to first aid, there are several steps you need to take. Follow the step by step instructions.

In every case of poisoning, the first step is to rid the body of further exposure to toxic substances. Induce vomiting in the animal. This can be done in several ways. Large amounts of water (but not with a salt solution, as this can lead to another type of poisoning in the dog). You can use hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. Check the dosage with a specialist, as much depends on the breed of the dog, its weight and age.

Unfortunately, even vomiting is not able to completely rid the dog’s body of the toxic substance, so you need to use sorbents. Activated carbon is perfect for this purpose. You need to give your dog medicine at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight. Other sorbents applicable to humans (enterosgel, smecta, polyphepam, etc.) are also suitable. All these remedies are applicable even if you fail to induce vomiting.
Give the animal a saline laxative. The dosage is also clarified by a specialist. Thus, toxic substances will be eliminated from the body as quickly as possible.

Main clinical manifestations

Below are the main signs of dog poisoning with various substances.

Food poisoning

If a dog is poisoned by food, the first symptoms may begin to appear within a few hours after eating. They may develop faster in a puppy.

Clinical manifestations of food poisoning:

general weakness of the animal, it becomes inactive, lethargic, refuses to play with its favorite toys;
poor appetite, the pet refuses to eat the food offered to it;
vomiting, first there may be food debris in the vomit, and then mucus, gastric juice and bile;
profuse diarrhea, stools are thin, watery, and may have a foul odor;
increased discharge of gases may be accompanied by intestinal colic, abdominal pain, and the animal whines and groans.

Poisoning with rat poison

impaired coordination of movements. The first thing owners notice is that their pet staggers when walking; it can fall to one side, crash into walls, or hit corners;
the appearance of cramps in all muscle groups. In this case, the animal’s head tilts back, its paws stretch out, and convulsions may be accompanied by the release of white foamy saliva from the mouth;
severe vomiting and diarrhea, which may contain blood.

Rules for providing first aid to a poisoned dog

Remember that if a dog has been poisoned by an acid or alkali, it is forbidden to induce vomiting and rinse the stomach yourself! This will lead to further damage to the walls of the esophagus and stomach and severe internal bleeding.

Products that should always be in your first aid kit

There are several medications that a dog needs in one case or another. In order not to run headlong to the pharmacy to get them after an illness has occurred, always keep them in your first aid kit:

Vitamin B6 injections. It is also called "Pyridoxine". Available at any pharmacy.
Vitamin K1. Can also be purchased at a pharmacy. Only K3 can replace it (and even then partially). The special veterinary drug is not sold in Russia (but better check, times are changing).
Unithiol. This is an excellent antidote. It is quite expensive and can only be used with the permission of a doctor.
Atropine. It is needed only in exceptional cases. You most likely will not be able to purchase it, and this is correct, since the drug is extremely toxic. It should only be used by a qualified specialist.
Medicines that can cause vomiting. They are also quite dangerous to your dog's health if you use them incorrectly. Therefore, a doctor should supervise the intake.
Laxatives.
Furosemide or other diuretics.
Syringes.

Diet

Hunger is necessary to rest and unload the digestive system. When poisoned by poisons and chemicals, there is a high risk of internal bleeding, which can be triggered by food.

Gastric lavage

Gastric lavage is contraindicated when:

coughing and black vomiting (symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding);
etching with acids or alkalis;
impairment of the animal's consciousness.

Do not add medications, potassium permanganate or herbal decoctions to gastric lavage solutions. Potassium permanganate is prohibited for use in animals; even in low concentrations it can cause burns to the mucous membrane.

When your dog consumes acids and alkalis, do not try to neutralize these substances. For example, if a dog that has been poisoned by vinegar (acid) tries to neutralize the contents of the stomach with a solution of peroxide (alkali), a powerful chemical reaction will occur in the stomach, resulting in the formation of a large amount of gas. The gastric mucosa may not be able to withstand it and burst.

Purgation

You can give your dog an enema yourself. Take a small bulb (50-100 ml volume), fill it with plain water at room temperature and insert it into the dog’s rectum.

Then you should wait until the animal goes to the toilet and repeat this procedure again. An enema should be done until clear water appears. Do not add medications or other substances to the colon cleanse solution.

Drinking regime

Please note that in case of isoniazid poisoning, the dog must be given an antidote - vitamin B6 - within the first 30 minutes. If there are cases of intentional poisoning of dogs in the area where you live, buy this vitamin and always carry it with you. If necessary, administer it to your animal immediately. Consult your veterinarian in advance about the rules of dosing and administration of this antidote.

Treatment at a veterinary clinic

Only a veterinarian will be able to determine the exact cause of the animal’s poor health, make a diagnosis and tell the owners how to help the dog in this situation.

If the animal's condition is critical, it will be left in the hospital. In case of mild poisoning, the doctor will describe the rules of diet, drinking and schedule a visit to the clinic for injections and IVs.

Treatment for poisoning may consist of the following groups of drugs:

Prevention of dog poisoning

According to statistics, the most important cause of acute poisoning in dogs is the carelessness and inattention of the owners. Below are tips to help you protect your pet from poisoning:

check the manufacturing date of the food you feed your dog, do not give it expired food;
walk your pet in a muzzle, so you will be sure that he will not swallow anything on the street;
stop your puppy from picking up and eating something during walks;
Keep medications, detergents, cosmetics, and alcohol out of the reach of your dog.

Poisoning in dogs can lead to serious consequences and death. First aid is provided by the owners, after which the animal must be taken to a veterinarian. Self-medication can be not only ineffective, but also life-threatening for your pet.