What To Do If Your Pet Eats Something Toxic

What To Do If Your Pet 

Eats Something Toxic

In the wild dogs are scavengers, meaning they’ll eat
whatever they can find.Some pet dogs are the same
and will eat anything they find lying around.

There are lots of foods, items and substances in the
house and environment that can poison dogs or block
their guts.

Treatment and outcome varies a lot depending on
what it is your dog has chosen to eat.

Contact your vet immediately if your dog has eaten
something harmful. Acting fast could
save your dog's life!

Toxins, poisons and harmful items for dogs

There are many substances that are toxic, poisonous or harmful to dogs in the house, 
garden and environment, such as cleaning products, human medicines, poisonous plants,
antifreeze and foods (e.g. chocolate, grapes and onions).

Dogs also love to eat strange items which can cause gut blockages. Bones, rubber toys,
stones, socks, underwear and baby’s dummies are just a few examples. The list is endless!

Gut blockages are very serious and can kill a dog if not treated quickly.

Contact your vet immediately if you think your dog has eaten something harmful.

Symptoms

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Twitching
• Sleeping more or being quieter than usual
• Not wanting to eat
• Standing with a hunched back or adopting a ‘bowing’ or ‘prayer’ position due to tummy pain
• Straining and not being able to poo (constipation).

Some dogs will vomit but the vast majority won’t show any signs immediately after eating something
they shouldn’t have. It usually takes a day or two for symptoms to develop (depending on what they’ve
eaten).

If you think that your dog may have eaten something harmful contact your vet immediately for
an emergency appointment.

Should I try to make my dog vomit?

No, never try to make your dog vomit unless your vet specifically asks you to do so. It can make
the situation much worse and you may end up harming your dog.

When to contact your vet

Contact your vet immediately for an emergency appointment if your dog has eaten something
they shouldn’t have. Never wait to see if a problem develops - your dog could become very ill or
even die without treatment. Acting fast could save your dog's life.

You know your dog best. Even if you’re unsure whether or not they have eaten something that
may harm them, if they’re not themselves or you are concerned it’s always best to contact your vet.

Treatment options

Treatment depends entirely on what your dog has eaten, and may include:

• Making your dog vomit (when instructed by vet)
• Activated charcoal in a meal (a liquid that helps absorb any remaining toxins, excess gas & fluids)
• Keeping them overnight on a drip to give them fluids
• Blood tests
• A medication to help reverse or prevent the effects of the toxin your dog has eaten
• X-rays
• An ultrasound scan of their tummy
• An emergency operation to remove a blockage.

Outlook

Toxins and poisons

• The outcome depends entirely on what your pet ingested and whether they get proper treatment.
• Most dogs that receive veterinary treatment quickly make a good recovery.
• Unfortunately some animals, even with correct treatment, develop health problems. 
• Health problems vary depending on what your dog has eaten.

Gut blockages

• Having a gut blockage is a very serious condition that can be fatal if left without treatment. 
• Often your dog will need an emergency operation to remove the item.
• Unfortunately, even with correct treatment, it's common for animals to develop complications.

Gut blockages can lead to serious complications

Why do dogs eat things they shouldn't?

Curiosity

Dogs explore the world with their mouths. Sometimes they can accidentally swallow the things they
pick up out of curiosity.

Boredom

Dogs are very intelligent animals and they can get bored easily. They might fill their time by chewing
on or tearing up things in your house, swallowing something they shouldn’t in the process.

Lack of nutrients

Some dogs have a taste for things that we don’t think of as food, such as poo. This can be a sign that
they’re missing out on important nutrients. Speak to your vet for advice.

Stress

If your dog is stressed out, they might comfort themselves by chewing on something they shouldn’t.

Attention

Did they get a lot of fuss and attention last time they ate something they shouldn’t have? Your dog
might have learnt that eating a toy or chowing down on your slippers makes them the center of attention!

How can I stop my dog eating things 

they shouldn’t?

Read our tips for keeping your dog safe by helping to stop them eating things they shouldn't.



Source: PSDA June 2018.

Why You Won’t See Your Dog's Heartworm Symptoms, Until it’s Advanced

Posts by: Dr. Mike Paul, DVM

Dog Diseases & Conditions A-Z

Heartworm disease is caused by a mosquito transmitted parasite. If left untreated, it can be a debilitating disease and sometimes prove fatal. Pets infected with heartworms can be found in all states, in spite of the fact that very effective heartworm prevention products are available. The good news is that I’ve noticed more and more pet parents are wondering about the symptoms of heartworm disease. Unfortunately, most of the time you’re not going to see any, and here’s why:

Early signs of heartworm disease in dogs
It would be great news for pets and people if heartworm symptoms were always obvious, but the truth is they are generally invisible or unnoticeable. The development of heartworm disease is insidious until the overt clinical signs occur, and by then the disease has already affected your dog’s heart and lungs. Your dog could appear 100% healthy while the parasites are quietly making themselves right at home.

Read More

Common Dog Diseases

At Thompson Vet, we really want to make sure you know your best defense against common #dog diseases. If you aren't aware, how can we prevent them? Together with the proper provider for your dog, you can keep on top of all vaccinations and updates on common illnesses and #dogdiseases.

Keep in mind, if you are in the Spingtown, TX area, we expect you to choose us! lol
Seriously, please call on us at anytime to make an appointment for your well checks for your pup.  Our new patient exams are on special for only $30 and you can not beat that price!

Recently we found a great website page on ASPCA website.  We would love to share some things about the most common diseases.


Source: ASPCA

As a dog parent, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of common illnesses so you can seek veterinary help for your canine friend as soon as possible. Read on for information about diseases and other medical inflictions that frequently impact dogs.

Cancer

Finding out that a loved one has cancer can be very scary and confusing. When that loved one is your dog, it’s important to keep in mind that different veterinarians might have different views on the best way to treat the disease. It’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion, perhaps from a veterinary oncologist, and carefully review your options.

Expand to read more

Diabetes

Diabetes in dogs is a complex disease caused by either a lack of the hormone insulin or an inadequate response to insulin. After a dog eats, his digestive system breaks food into various components, including glucose—which is carried into his cells by insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. When a dog does not produce insulin or cannot utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels elevate. The result is hyperglycemia, which, if left untreated, can cause many complicated health problems for a dog.

Expand to read more

Heartworm

Heartworm is a parasitic worm that lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected animal. The worms travel through the bloodstream—harming arteries and vital organs as they go—ultimately completing their journey to the vessels of the lung and the heart chamber about six months after the initial infection. Several hundred worms can live in one dog for five to seven years.

Expand to read more

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is a term loosely used to describe a complex of respiratory infections—both viral and bacterial—that causes inflammation of a dog’s voice box and windpipe. It’s a form of bronchitis and is similar to a chest cold in humans.

Expand to read more

Parvovirus

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that can produce life-threatening illness.

Expand to read more

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that may affect the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including cats, dogs and humans. This preventable disease has been reported in every state except Hawaii. There’s good reason that the very word “rabies” evokes fear in people—once symptoms appear, rabies is close to 100% fatal.

Expand to read more

Ringworm

Although the name suggests otherwise, ringworm isn’t caused by a worm at all—but a fungus that can infect the skin, hair and nails. This highly contagious disease can lead to patchy areas of hair loss on a dog and can spread to other animals—and to humans, too.

Expand to read more

SOURCE: ASPCA