Dog First Aid - Poisoning

Article Written By: Jerry Welsh

The need to keep the home dog-proof can never be stressed enough. This precautionary measure must be done because a dog's inquisitive and energetic nature often lands them in tight spots. Injuries can never be prevented no matter how hard the pet owner tries to keep the pet safe. Poisoning is a serious condition that can happen to the pet.

As poisoning is one of the common life threatening situations that can happen to the dog, the pet owner has to have the ability to help the pet. The ability to administer emergency care and the presence of mind of the dog owner are very important factors that can save the pet from untimely death.

Substances that have harmful effects when ingested, inhaled or absorbed by the skin are considered poisonous to dogs. Dogs can easily have access to poisonous substances as most of these products are found and used in homes everyday. Even some human foods and medications as well as some plants can have dangerous effects when ingested by the dog.

Poisonous substances would have different effects on the dog. The symptoms would also depend on the amount consumed by the dog. Generally, a poisoned dog would salivate excessively, vomit and have diarrhea. A poisoned dog will feel weak and because of muscle tremors it will have uncoordinated or wobbly gait. Labored or forced breathing will soon result to pale or blue colored gums. Toxic substances can alter the mental state of the pet so that it would appear disoriented and over-reactive.

Specific treatment for poisoning is to remove the toxin from the dog's body. The method of removal would depend on the type of poison that was inhaled, ingested or absorbed by the skin. It is therefore very necessary to identify what type of substance has poisoned the dog. Toxic substances usually have antidotes on the packaging thus first aid treatment would be easier if the box is found.

Take a dog that has inhaled poisons to fresh air immediately. Remove topical poisons from the dog's fur and skin as fast as possible. Powders can be vacuumed or dusted off. Liquid or oil based toxins must be thoroughly washed off.

The usual first aid for a pet that has ingested poison is to induce vomiting but this treatment would not be applicable to all types poisons. Caustic substances will burn the throat and the mouth if it will be vomited thus milk is given as a first aid treatment. Induce vomiting if the pet has swallowed rat baits and other non-caustic substances.

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