1300 489 873The immediate identification of poisoning is often the deciding factor that can save the life of the poor dog that has been poisoned.
Poisoning occurs when a dog eats or drinks a harmful, poisonous substance. The substance causes damage to the heart, brain, kidneys and liver, and depending on what the dog has ingested it can be fatal if not treated immediately. Dogs are naturally curious and can stumble across poisons both inside and outside the house. Pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides, fertilisers, compost can be very harmful, and in Australia a big toxin that poisons our pets is Sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080) which is widely used to control wild animals such as foxes, and dogs are especially susceptible to this compound.
The most common type of poisoning in dogs happens from within the house. Dogs will eat just about anything they find around their home; moth balls, household cleaners, mushrooms, onions, chocolate, insect and rodent baits, and even human medicine.
The most common signs of poisoning in your dog are:
-fever -muscle tremors
-panting -excessive drooling
-loss of balance -increased thirst
-skin irritations –vomiting
If you suspect your dog has been poisoned and they start showing symptoms like the ones above, you should take them straight to the vet. As each poison is different and affects the dog in different ways, you should take the packet, bottle, or suspected poisonous material with you to the vet, so they can quickly and accurately treat your pup.
The best way to prevent all this happening is to do everything you can to stop your dog ingesting the poisonous material. You should only put baits in parts of your house that your dog cannot get to, hide all your medicines and household cleaners in cupboards that your dog can access. When you go outside with your dog, make sure you watch them closely, and try your best to stop them eating everything they see. When you leave your dogs with one of our minders, make sure you ask them if their house is safe for your dog.
