Dog Poisoning Symptoms: How to Tell if a Dog Has Been Poisoned

Did you know that dogs can be poisoned by eating any pest control product? There are many different types of household products that are formulated to eliminate pests, but can be deadly for your dog.

Dog poisoning symptoms are not always obvious and without knowledge on how to tell if a dog has been poisoned, it is easy to misdiagnose.

You might be surprised to hear that each year, there are 232,000 cases of pet poisoning in the United States.

Terrifying, right? Don’t worry, the information in this article is all you need to prevent your pet from being poisoned.

I have been following and researching every aspect of poisoning, and I will provide you with ample information to combat potential situations you may face.

This article will give you the information you need to spot the symptoms of dog poisoning, as well as a long list of things that can poison your dog.

How to Tell if a Dog Has Been Poisoned

The symptoms of dog poisoning can vary depending on the type of poison that was ingested. However, some of the most common symptoms are:

1. Nausea
2. Loss of appetite
3. Vomiting
4. Diarrhea
5. Bleeding (any orifice)
6. Depression
7. Stress
8. Excessive drooling
9. Pale gums
10. Increased heart rate
11. Lethargy
12. Hypoglycemia
13. Increased or decreased urination
14. Excessive thirst
15. Melena (black, tarry stools)
16. Hypotension
17. Hypothermia
18. Poor coordination
19. Collapsing
20. Seizures

These are the most likely symptoms that your pet will exhibit after ingesting or inhaling the products mentioned in this article.

Long-term Symptoms of Dog Poisoning

Imagine a slow but progressive and consistent ingestion of some poison; it would be the worst way of feeling pain, and unfortunately, many times you don’t know what your pet is feeling. That’s why reading this article is so important to protect the safety of your pet.

First of all, the most important thing to do when you discover your pet has ingested some poison, either long-term or short-term, is to rush your pet to the vet ASAP, even if it is not showing any of the symptoms mentioned above. Your pet is NOT safe.

Long-term symptoms may be ignored, or you could say insignificant, but believe me, any change in the body is an indication of an underlying cause. Please do not ignore it. Here are some of the symptoms worth mentioning:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Excessive thirst
• Depression
• Kidney damage/ failure
• Liver damage/ failure
• Blood loss
• Neurological signs
• Incoordination
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

These symptoms may be visible when your dog has been ingesting poison for a long time. If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, stabilize it, and take it to the vet immediately. In many cases, your dog will have a complete recover. However, if you ignore the symptoms, it could be life-threatening. That is the last thing you want for your poor pet.

Substances That Are Poisonous for Dogs

I want to explain the substances categorically here to help you understand what to avoid. No one can imagine how many substances there are in the typical household and garage that are poisonous for our pets. But, don’t worry, I got your back. Once you read this article, you’ll need to do a security check of your surroundings to make sure there are no poisons that are accessible to your dog.

Substances That Are Harmful to Your Dog

1.    Antifreeze Agents

According to pet owners, the most common toxic antifreeze is Ethylene Glycol. It has a sweet taste, and dogs try to ingest it whenever they find an opportunity. If they ingest too much, it could quickly cause kidney damage. Most of the time, it is too late when discovered.

2.    Paints

Imagine you’re painting your wall with lead paint or paint with other chemicals, you leave the door open for just a moment, and your dog took the opportunity to lap up some of the cool-looking poison. It contains harmful chemicals especially lead, and causes liver damage and neurological disorders if preventive measures or immediate care are not taken.

3.    Solvents

Solvents and emulsifiers like Petrol, Acetone, Methanol, and Isopropyl alcohol, and so on are used in so many things in our surroundings. Would you like a sip of your nail polish remover? The answer is NO. Suppose your pet dog has ingested or inhaled too much of any of these substances. In that case, they can experience a hellish combination of severe symptoms like liver failure, necrosis, gastrointestinal pain, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, coma, and even death if left unattended. This is serious.

4.    Mouse or Rat Traps

You might already know this; mouse or rat traps could be pills or other traps containing chemicals. It is common knowledge that these are toxic not even just for your pet dogs but for you too. They include a chemical called Betholin that is to blame here for them being toxic. It can cause severe signs like loss of appetite, vomiting, paralysis, muscle tremors, and seizures. Take them to your vet ASAP.

5.    Food Bags and Cereal Bags

The packaging for your food and even your pet food can be a danger to your pet. Life is hard, there are many obstacles to look out for every day. The plastic, if eaten by your pet dog, is indigestible. Where will it go? It will stick in the intestines of your poor pet causing an obstruction in the bowel, causing GI pain, retching, constipation, depression, and this will lead to surgical removal. So painful.

6.    Pet Medications

You might have heard, anything in excess is not good. Did you know? If medication is used more often than prescribed, it is a POISON. It can cause severe problems rather than helping your pet to recover from the problem.

Human Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

1.    Medications

Medications for humans like Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, birth control pills, and anti-cancer drugs, which relieve pain in humans, can cause significant damage to your pet if they ingest it. It can cause GI irritation, vomiting, depression, stress, seizures, and abortion. These medications look like treats to them like candy, but ALAS they can cause severe problems and your pet needs urgent care.

2.    Alcohol and Other Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol poisoning is one of the most common among the pets in the US. Unfortunately, the signs are also as common as they are in humans. Like vomiting, retching, breathing difficulties, liver damage, and in the most severe cases, coma and death.

3.    Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins contain some poisonous substance that causes kidney failure after long-term use and there are symptoms only when it is too late.

4.    Avocado

Avocados are healthy and contain so many benefits for you but, on the other hand, can be harmful to your pet. There is a component called Persin in it which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

5.    Chocolate

You want to treat your dog and thought of a chocolate cookie. It is time to rethink your decision. Chocolate, especially the darker kind, is very harmful to your fluffy pet dog. Chocolate might not damage them immediately, but after twelve hours, you are going to regret the poor choice you made earlier. Symptoms they might show are extreme thirst, diarrhea, vomiting, panting, and also seizures. Terrifying, right?

6.    Xylitol

You might already know about this one. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener present in many products used every day. It can cause a severe drop in blood sugar, leading to seizures. You might want to rethink the next time you think about giving your dog sugar-free gummies  for a treat .

7.    Macadamia Nuts

Your poor pet dog won’t know what can happen if he eats them. Beware! Your pet can show many symptoms like weakness, lethargy, over-heating, retching, and vomiting after eating these nuts.

Household Items That Are Harmful to Dogs

1.    Fertilizer

Fertilizers that help you grow a pretty garden contain harsh chemicals that damage the gastrointestinal system of your pet once ingested. If you suspect they have eaten fertilizer, seek immediate veterinary attention.

2.    Insecticide

Insecticide or insect killer contains a toxic chemical that can even be dangerous for you and your pet. But your pet does not know that they accidentally ingested chemicals, especially if your dog is small like a Yorkshire; there is no time to waste. Rush towards the vet.

3.    Mouth Wash

Did you know? Your mouth wash contains Ethanol which is one of the causes of poisoning in dogs. Mouth wash contains around 14–27 % ethanol by volume. Ingesting it could lead to vomiting and GI bleed.

4.    Aftershave

Imagine leaving the top off of your aftershave in the bathroom, and your dog tries to play with it. Disastrous, right. Aftershave contains 19–90 % Ethanol by volume.  The published lethal dose in dogs is 5.5 to 7.9 g/kg of 100% ethanol. One milliliter of ethanol equals 0.789 g.

5.    Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is a common item these days because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But, what does your pet need it for? Hand sanitizer contains 65-90 % Ethanol by volume. It is practically alcohol to keep your hands clean.

Plants That Are Dangerous to Dogs

Even a pretty-looking flower can lead to a disastrous evening for your pet. Hereis the list of plants that, after ingestion, can cause serious problems, especially to the gastrointestinal tract, such as irritation, nausea, pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serious cases could lead to intestinal injury leading to blood loss. There are a few whose bulbs or flowers can cause convulsions and even death.

1. Almond, apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach, and plum trees and shrubs
2. Aloe Vera
3. Amaryllis
4. Castor Bean
5. Chrysanthemum
6. Cyclamen
7. Corn Plant
8. Daphne
9. Daylily and True Lily
10. Dogbane
11. English Ivy
12. Foxglove
13. Gloriosa Lily
14. Golden Pothos
15. Hibiscus
16. Hyacinth and Tulip (especially the bulbs)
17. Hydrangea
18. Kalanchoe
19. Lily-of-the-Valley
20. Mother-in-Law Tongue
21. Mountain Laurel
22. Narcissus, Daffodil, Paperwhite, and Jonquil
23. Oleander
24. Peace Lily
25. Philodendron
26. Poinsettia
27. Rhododendron and Azalea
28. Rosary Pea
29. Sago Palm
30. Schefflera
31. Stinging Nettle
32. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Plant
33. Yew Bush

How to treat a dog that has been poisoned

Now, this might be the most important question after reading about all the potential poisons. If your dog has ingested any of the things mentioned above, what should you do? Here are a few things that might help you manage until your dog can get VET CARE. So make sure to consider these things before arriving at the VET’s office.

• The first and foremost thing to do is to check the vital signs of your dog. You need to check if he is alert and breathing normally.
• Remove the source of the poison immediately from the surroundings and bag it for your vet to see when they are treating your dog. Each poison needs a different kind of antidote, so it is important your Vet knows the substance your dog ate or drank.
• Do not use any home remedies on your pet, and call for VET CARE as soon as possible. The sooner you get help from a professional, the sooner your dog can be saved.
• Do not try to induce vomiting on your own unless you are a Vet professional. You might cause more damage. I know you have the best of intentions to help your pet but believe me, it is not worth trying. Take your pet to a professional asap.
• Now, the question might arise in your mind about what to do if it is long-term poisoning. If it is, it can still be ruled out by a regular checkup every 2-3 months. It is quite necessary for their health. Please do not ignore it.

How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Show Signs of Poisoning?

Symptoms could be minor or major depending on the product type and the amount of product ingested or inhaled. They could experience severe reactions to their gastrointestinal, neurological, respiratory, and cardiac systems. It can even lead to coma and death if ignored or left untreated.

When dogs ingest poison, it usually takes 3-5 days before signs of poisoning are visible. So, if the pet has been chronically exposed to poisonous things, then the onset of clinical signs and symptoms may be earlier.

What if I Suspect Someone Poisoned My Dog?

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is your best source for any animal poison-related emergency, 24/7, 365 days a year. If you think your pet may have ingested/ inhaled a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply. They can even provide you ample information regarding the poison ingested by your pet, and they know best how to treat it by giving a specific antidote to reverse the effects of poison as quickly as possible.

Can a Dog Recover From Poisoning?

Well, you cannot always control your pet’s environment or keep an eye on everything, but this article might help educate you on how to make better and safer choices to ensure your dog’s healthy and long life. Getting information and increasing your awareness are the best first steps. A poisoned pet is an alarming situation if symptoms are not caught promptly. The symptoms can cause pain beyond imagination to your pet. But, if poisoned and caught on time, 25% of the pets can recover within 2 hours if they have been given the right antidote and care. Recovery is possible. A few cases might lead to serious troubles.

How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Die From Poison if Not Treated?

After ingesting the poison, internal bleeding mainly occurs throughout the pet’s body and will ultimately kill the dog. It usually takes two to seven days for the adverse effects of poison to appear.

Summary

Dogs are wonderful companions and loyal, but someone can still cause them pain if they want to hurt you. Still, you need to give your pet immediate veterinary care first, and then you should talk to your lawyer if it was intentional. The idea that a person would intentionally poison a pet is quite pitiful and very sad.

Here are a few takeaway messages that you should follow to prevent accidental poisoning of your pet, save the life of your pet if an accident happens and help to maintain its optimum lifestyle.

• If you are a responsible pet parent, it is time to ensure a few things are done to keep your pet safe like pet-proofing every medicine, medicine cabinet, and securing food items (that are mentioned as problems), and household chemicals like insecticides, rodenticides, etc.
• ●      Many people around you do not have pets and do not know what to give them and what not to. Do not let anyone give your dog anything at a party or anywhere else. You are a pet parent; it is your responsibility.
• Learn first aid to deal with any emergent situation.
• Do not try to treat your pet at home, seek out vet care. The best thing is to take your dog to the Vet for the proper medication and care.