How To Treat A Dog With Pesticide Poisoning
Introduction
Your dog is a member of your family, and you want to give him the best care possible. So it’s natural for you to be concerned about what will happen if your dog does something dangerous, like eating a toxic plant. As a pet parent, it pays to be prepared for any mishap—and also to know how to help out your furry little friend in an emergency. Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide:
One dog owner’s story
- One dog owner’s story
In one case, an owner rushed their dog to the vet after it ate a slug bait. The vet gave the dog activated charcoal and induced vomiting, which caused it to vomit up the bait. The dog was fine after treatment, and other dogs have been treated successfully with similar methods.
What to do if your dog eats something he shouldn’t:
If you think your dog has eaten something poisonous, it’s important to act fast. Do not give your dog any food or water until you’ve talked to a veterinarian. If you are not sure what the poison is, call ahead and give them a description of what it looks like so they can determine if there’s any risk of poisoning. If the vet believes that there was no danger in eating the substance, then they’ll probably tell you just to monitor your pet for possible symptoms until he passes whatever harm was done. But if the vet thinks there might be some danger and advises taking action immediately, keep reading!
How will I know if my dog has been poisoned?
If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, it’s a good idea to take him or her to the veterinarian. If you know the pesticide was ingested, the symptoms will be obvious. The vet will want to know what sort of pesticide was used and how much of it your dog consumed. The vet will also ask about other symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting or fatigue as these can point to different types of poisoning.
If you’re not sure if your dog was poisoned but she’s showing some of these signs—such as lethargy, vomiting or loss of appetite—take her in for an examination right away just in case she has been exposed and needs treatment right away!
What are the symptoms?
If your dog is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, it could be a sign of pesticide poisoning:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Tremors, or uncontrolled muscle movements (usually in the face) which may cause drooling, twitching eyelids, twitching ears and more.
- Lethargy — lethargy is when your pet shows little to no interest in his surroundings. He may just lay around without moving much or be very quiet while cuddling with you.
- Increased heart rate — if you notice that your dog’s heart rate is higher than normal (for example, 120 beats per minute versus 100), this could indicate that he has been poisoned by pesticides due to increased blood flow needed for detoxification processes happening inside him.* Restlessness — dogs who have been exposed to pesticides might pace around nervously and seem like they can’t relax.* Drooling – Some dogs will drool after consuming pesticides but this doesn’t always happen because most pets try not to eat anything toxic.* Blurred vision – If your pet’s eyes are watering excessively after being exposed to pesticides then this may indicate damage caused by the chemical exposure.* Seizures – Dogs suffering from seizures due to pesticide poisoning need immediate medical attention as they could die if left untreated; they won’t respond normally when spoken too either so please seek help immediately if you see these symptoms!
What should I do first?
If your dog has ingested pesticides, it’s important to get them help ASAP. Here are some steps you can take right away:
- Call your vet. Your veterinarian will likely want to see the dog as soon as possible, so it’s best to make an appointment for first thing in the morning (or after work). This way, your vet can give the dog medication that may ease symptoms or stop them altogether and help with any other procedures they might need.
- Call poison control. Poison control specialists are usually able to help out quickly when it comes to figuring out what type of pesticide was ingested and whether or not immediate treatment is necessary—so this is a very good resource if you’re not sure what steps to take next! You can reach them at 1-800-426-4435; they’ll direct you through whatever questions need asking about your particular situation before connecting with a local veterinarian for advice on how best handle things from here on out.
- Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 1(888) 426-4435 (press option 5); 24 hours/day; 7 days/week
Should I induce vomiting?
If you know the exact type of pesticide, your veterinarian may recommend inducing vomiting. If the dog is conscious and has not vomited yet, try giving him/her a small amount of hydrogen peroxide (1 teaspoon for every 10 pounds). Do not induce vomiting if your dog is unconscious, or having seizures.
What about activated charcoal?
If your dog has vomited, activated charcoal is not recommended. Activated charcoal is a substance that can absorb toxins and chemicals in the digestive system, but if your dog has already vomited this material up, it will be of no use to him.
Instead of giving him activated charcoal, give him water or food (if he’s not vomiting). Do not give any medications without talking to your vet first!
Can my veterinarian help?
If your dog has been poisoned by pesticides, you should call your veterinarian immediately. They will likely induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal. They may also give the dog an antidote and fluids to help it replenish its fluids. A veterinarian might also administer a sedative or laxative before performing a full exam of your pet’s body to make sure there is no damage to internal organs or other injuries that could be caused by pesticide poisoning.
If you don’t have access to a 24-hour animal hospital in case of an emergency, plan ahead so that if pesticide poisoning happens while they’re closed, they will still be able to treat your dog as soon as possible when they open again in the morning (or later).
How to prevent pesticide poisoning in the first place
- Make sure you know where pesticides are being applied in your area, and avoid letting your dog anywhere near those areas.
- Keep your dog on a leash when you are outside, especially if it’s windy or there are other factors that might lead to pesticide drift
- Keep trash cans sealed tightly when not in use! Pesticides should never be stored in anything except their labeled containers; never leave them out for long periods of time or let them get into the hands of children or pets! Dogs will often dig through garbage looking for food scraps, which means they could accidentally ingest toxic chemicals if they find one of these bottles lying around somewhere else
When your dog swallows a poison, you need to act fast and get him help. Be prepared to take him to the vet.
If you suspect your dog has eaten something he shouldn’t have, don’t wait to see if he’ll vomit it up on his own. You may not have time for this. He can also choke on a piece of food stuck in his throat. Get help immediately.
If your dog does get into something poisonous, get him to a vet as soon as possible. In the meantime, watch him carefully for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea (liquid feces), drooling excessively or acting lethargic. If you know what the poison was and how much of it was ingested—such as from an empty bottle or container—that’s helpful information for the vet too!
Conclusion
We hope this information helps you if you ever find yourself in this situation. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.