Signs of poisoning in dogs

Chocolate is the most common human food responsible for dog poisoning. This is the result of the stimulant theobromine, which, like caffeine, is a methylxanthine Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source compound that dogs’ systems can’t properly metabolize. Methylxanthines are rapidly absorbed into a dog’s gastrointestinal tract and trigger symptoms including panting, dehydration, hyperactivity, high temperature and blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Generally speaking, the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the higher the concentration of theobromine and the more danger it poses to dogs. Chocolate poisoning is rarely fatal in dogs but has no known antidote, so it’s treated through a combination of gastrointestinal decontamination and supportive treatment.

Vegetables and herbs belonging to the allium family, including garlic, onions, chives, shallots, and leeks cause gastrointestinal irritation among dogs. The dried and powdered forms of these herbs are much more concentrated than their fresh counterparts, meaning they pose a much higher risk of poisoning. Early signs include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and dehydration, but the full effects of the poison may take several days to appear.

Plants in the allium family cause red blood cell damage that can lead to more serious complications related to anemia, including kidney damage and death in extreme cases. Be on the lookout for pale gums, increased heart rate and breathing, lethargy or weakness, brown urine, and jaundice for the first week after the poisoning. No antidote currently exists for this type of toxicosis, but you can still get supportive care for your dog through the vet.

While the cause was long unclear to veterinary professionals, even a small amount of grapes, raisins, or currants can trigger acute kidney failure in dogs, which is now known to likely be caused by tartaric acid. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and trembling commonly appear a few hours after ingestion, while more serious complications like kidney failure can take up to 72 hours to develop. See a vet for immediate decontamination treatment if you think your dog has eaten grapes or raisins.

It’s common for dogs to get sick after ingesting human medications Trusted Source American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Not-for-profit organization representing 97,000+ vets. Go to source lying around the house. Some medications are only poisonous at high doses, while others are dangerous to dogs at any dose.

The most common culprits of medication-related poisoning are popular over-the-counter and prescription medications, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, and Advil. NSAID complications can result in gastric ulcerations, perforations, liver damage, and the development of neurological, heart, and muscular problems.

Dogs can also experience adverse side effects from ingesting ADHD medication, blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors and beta blockers, and sleeping medications like Xanax, Ambien, and Valium. Some dogs experience flea and tick medication poisoning after receiving a high dose of preventative pet medication, with symptoms including gastrointestinal issues, irritability, and in some cases tremors, seizures, and death.

🚨 Always keep medications, both for humans and animals, out of reach from your pets.

Pest control poisons are often placed at ground level around the house, and their easy accessibility makes them highly dangerous for our pets.

Anticoagulant rodenticides are commonly used to kill mice and rats by triggering uncontrolled bleeding, but they can also have the same effect on dogs. Many dogs don’t show signs of anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning right away but may exhibit bleeding from the nose or mouth 3 to 7 days after ingesting the poison, or internal bleeding accompanied by coughing, lethargy, an increased respiratory rate, difficulty breathing, pale gums, lack of appetite, pain and swelling in the joints and abdomen, vomiting, bloody or dark tar-like stools, and bruising.

Some slug and snail baits and pellets contain a compound known as metaldehyde, which is extremely poisonous to dogs even in small amounts. Typical symptoms include severe tremors or seizures and an extremely elevated body temperature, occurring minutes to hours after ingestion.

While many dogs can make a full recovery from metaldehyde poisoning in just 2 to 3 days with the right treatment, untreated cases can result in respiratory failure, liver failure, and even death.

Household cleaners and detergents may be good for keeping our homes clean, but they can also wreak havoc if our dogs get into them. Products like antifreeze, bleach, and fabric softener can cause burns, ulcers, seizures, and fever in addition to vomiting and diarrhea.

Treatment for this type of poisoning involves the use of agents like active charcoal to decontaminate the dog’s GI tract, but it’s fairly easy to prevent as long as you keep these products locked up and out of reach.

Several species of plants and flowers are toxic to dogs, but all plants have the potential to cause gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. Even common household varieties like tulips, lilies of the valley, oleander, and sago palm can lead to serious complications including death, so always make sure to do your research before exposing your pup to potentially toxic plants.

Essential oils derived from certain plants also have a high risk of toxicity for dogs. Adverse side effects include difficulty breathing and/or walking, muscle tremors, drooling, pawing at the mouth or face, and depression of the central nervous system.

Dogs need vitamin D to properly absorb calcium, but an excess of vitamin D can result in poisoning. This commonly results from the consumption of supplements containing vitamin D2 and/or vitamin D3, rat poison containing vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), or topical psoriasis medications like ointments and creams. In some cases, poorly formulated dog food, whether commercially prepared or homemade, can also contribute to vitamin D poisoning.

Symptoms of vitamin D poisoning start appearing 12 to 36 hours after ingestion, and their severity depends on the dose. Smaller doses can result in vomiting, diarrhea, increased drinking and urination, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, and depression. Higher doses can raise the body’s calcium and phosphorous levels to unsafe levels, resulting in difficulty breathing, intentional bleeding, abnormal heart rhythms, and kidney failure. Vitamin D poisoning can be fatal for dogs if left untreated.