Emergency Guide: What to Do If Your Dog Poisons

Quickly Distinguish Types of Poisoning

Common poisoning situations in dogs can be categorized into three types: inhalation poisoning, ingestion poisoning, and contact poisoning. It's actually not difficult to differentiate between these types, as their symptoms are quite distinct and easily recognizable.

Inhalation Poisoning

Dogs suffering from inhalation poisoning may exhibit symptoms such as coughing, drooling, difficulty breathing, and even coma.

Ingestion Poisoning

Due to the irritants in these substances, dogs may show signs of vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, disorientation, seizures, drowsiness, loss of appetite, dilated pupils, and coma.

Contact Poisoning

This type of poisoning is less common. If a dog comes into contact with chemicals or poisonous plants, it might display symptoms like discomfort, agitation, frantic scratching at the affected area, licking the area, and swelling. In cases of severe toxicity, the dog's skin may turn red, and there could be signs of ulcers or subcutaneous bleeding.

After learning to identify the type of poisoning, if an emergency occurs, you'll be able to recognize the signs and types of poisoning quickly. However, recognizing them doesn't mean you should rush your dog to the vet immediately.

Before taking your dog to the veterinary hospital, there are three crucial points dog owners should keep in mind:

Preserve the Poison Source

The first step is to determine the specific nature of the poison. If it's chocolate, secure and carry the chocolate and its packaging. If it's a plant, can you bring a sample? In any case, ensure you keep the poison safe, as this can be vital for the rescue efforts. The vet can use the poison source you provide to quickly formulate a rescue plan.

Protect Yourself

You must know how to protect yourself. Some dog owners panic when they find their pets poisoned. Don't lose your composure! Identify the source of the poison. If it's a gas, move the dog to a wellventilated area, ensuring you're not inhaling it yourself. If it's a contact poisoning, wear gloves and take all necessary precautions before transporting the dog.

Protect Your Dog

When transporting, it's best to wrap the dog in a blanket or similar item for easier handling. If the dog is vomiting, have someone nearby to clean up the mess, ensuring that no vomit gets into the dog's airways to cause choking.

And remember most importantly: do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a veterinarian.

Reiterate that unless directed by a vet, it is not advisable, and in fact, it is strongly discouraged, for owners to induce vomiting in their dogs.

Not all ingested poisons can be induced to vomit, and the commonly circulated "hydrogen peroxide induction" method is not a onesizefitsall solution. Some substances can have adverse effects if vomited, and improper handling or noncooperation from the dog can lead to hydrogen peroxide or vomit being inhaled into the lungs, potentially causing pneumonia or other diseases. If the poison reacts with hydrogen peroxide, the consequences could be dire.

Moreover, how many dog owners have received vomiting induction training? How many know that the key to the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide induction is using unopened hydrogen peroxide, and that the effectiveness of opened hydrogen peroxide is significantly reduced?

Therefore, in the absence of veterinary guidance, the immediate and correct choice is to take your dog to the hospital. Do not rely on advice from online sources for emergency care solutions.