There are many different kinds of poisonous plants, chemicals, and foods that can kill your dog. The bathroom cupboard, the backyard, bad food scarfed on a walk, and even human food taken from the counter or dropped from the dining table are all familiar places for dogs to ingest poison. Here are the steps to take right away to help your dog if it has been poisoned, regardless of the type of toxin or where it was obtained.
Determine the Poison
If your dog appears to be healthy otherwise, you must give your vet more info as possible about the toxin and how your dog was exposed to it. Nonetheless, if your dog is showing signs of disease and/or you can’t pinpoint when the exposure occurred, it’s best to check him out as soon as possible. Many cases involving exposure to toxins can be salvaged with prompt medical attention, provided the exposure is stopped as quickly as possible. Your veterinarian may be able to tell you which toxin was consumed after conducting a thorough physical examination and analyzing lab data.
If you or a loved one has the time, try to figure out whether it was breathed, ingested, or experienced through skin contact. Was this plant potentially harmful? Would a toxic snack do the trick? Perhaps your dog had some sort of encounter with a different animal, like a toad. Was it anything harmful or a drug for people? Knowing how much of the poison your dog was exposed to is important. Get hold of the poison’s original package.
Seek Professional Assistance
Seek professional veterinary care from a 24 hours veterinary clinic even if your dog seems healthy. Before seeking veterinary care, don’t wait until your dog starts showing signs of illness. Never attempt a self-diagnosis or self-treatment on your dog; always check with your vet first.
The first step should be to schedule an appointment with your regular veterinarian. If the poisoning happens outside normal business hours, you should contact a local animal emergency facility. Consult a vet for guidance. What you should do after being exposed to toxins depends on the kind of toxins you were exposed to.
Prepare for an Emergency
If you need to switch veterinarians, it will be helpful to have your dog’s medical records, including immunization history, current prescriptions, food and drug allergies, identification, and any other relevant information, in one convenient spot. Ensure your dog has an ID tag on its collar or leash conveniently located at the door.
If your dog shows any signs of illness, even if you don’t think poisoning is to blame, you should take him to the vet. It could take several hours or days for toxic effects to manifest. Insight into the cause of symptoms like tiredness or an inability to gain weight may be difficult. Seizures, fainting, and trouble breathing are more serious side effects of toxicity which hopefully may not require dog euthanasia in Parrish.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Don’t put yourself in harm’s way by not taking precautions to avoid toxic exposure. Garbage and other potentially hazardous objects should be stored outside your dog’s reach. Whenever feasible, use household and outdoor items that are safe for pets. Don’t risk poisoning your family by dropping raw meat on the floor. It’s important to decorate your home and yard with safe vegetation for pets. Avoidance of problems is the best defense for your dog. However, it’s important to remember that toxicity can still occur even after taking all necessary safety precautions. If your dog ever becomes infected, you will have access to helpful information and tools.
