Symptoms Of Dog Poisoning

November 5, 2008 by Richard Cross

All dog owners have seen at one time or another their dog eat or drink something they would rather they hadn’t! Whether it be an unattended dinner or something in a field, it’s an unfortunate fact that dogs can eat things that are potentially poisonous. The most important thing is to notice when your dog may be poisoned – even if you didn’t see it eat the poisonous substance – and then take the necessary actions to make sure your dog returns to full health.

To start with lets go through some of the things that are potentially dangerous for a dog to eat. Most dog owners are aware that chocolate should not be fed to dogs, but there are also plenty of house plants that can cause a rash for the dog when touched, and some that can even cause vomiting, cramps and kidney problems. If you are unsure which plants are unsafe to have in your house, be on the safe safe and contact your local vet who will be able to advise you. There is always the chance that a dog might ingest a poisonous household chemical, in which case you should contact your vet immediately.

There are also outdoor plants that can have a toxic effect on your dog, such as rhubarb, spinach and nutmeg.

Common reactions to being poisoned are:

1. Rash on the mouth or skin after contact
2. Swollen mouth or tongue
3. Vomiting, cramps
4. Diarrhea
5. Convulsions
6. Internal problems that are difficult to observe

If your dog exhibits any of the previous symptoms of dog poisoning then you should contact your local vet immediately. The best way to eliminate poison from your dogs stomach is to induce vomiting, but this should only be attempted if the owner feels able to do it, and even then only if the dog is not depressed, unable to swallow or experiencing convulsions. This is best left to a vet in all but the most extreme cases.

If the dog has come into contact with the poisonous substance on the skin, a bath in warm water with soap is the best way to clean the dog and stop it from licking the poison off. Even if the dog is not showing any signs of discomfort with the poison on its skin or coat, it should be washed off immediately.