When your dog doesn't seem interested in eating his food, do you know what to do? When your dog vomits often, could there be something serious wrong with him? If he struggles to get up the stairs, does he need to see a vet? Having never owned an older dog, I knew nothing about the things that can begin to go wrong when dogs age. I adopted this guy when my neighbor moved into a nursing home and had to learn a lot about how to care for an older dog. My blog is filled with the many things that I have learned over the last year through the help of my vet.
caring for an elderly dog
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Something Poisonous
Lucy Grant
Dogs are curious creatures and, unfortunately, that can sometimes get them into trouble. If you suspect your dog has eaten something poisonous, you will want to act quickly in getting them medical attention so they do not suffer needlessly or have a worse outcome from prolonged poison exposure. You will also need to watch for symptoms the dog displays so this can be conveyed over the phone to a veterinarian before you transport your dog for help. Here are some of the signs to watch out for when you deal with a dog that has eaten something poisonous.
Know The Source
When calling the veterinarian about your dog, have the source of the poison available so you can read the packaging to them over the phone. The ingredients will make a big determining factor in the course of action to take. Some substances will require your dog eat a charcoal-based substance to neutralize the poisonous ingredients in the product. This can be given at an animal hospital, so you would need to get there right away for it to be administered.
Many people think you should induce vomiting if a poison is ingested. However, some substances can cause worse problems if inducing is done, including aspiration and irritation to the throat. Let the veterinarian know how much of the substance is missing from the package, as this can make a difference in the type of remedy they recommend.
Track The Symptoms
When you call for treatment, be as descriptive as possible to the doctor you speak with about the symptoms your dog is displaying. Watch to see if they eat or drink as normal or if they avoid anything they would normally ingest.
Let the doctor know if the dog has diarrhea, constipation, or if it is vomiting as these are all signs the body is trying to rid itself of the harmful substance. If the dog seems lethargic, has labored breathing, is displaying seizure activity, or seems disoriented, the organs in the body may be affected from the poison, and the dog needs immediate help.
Get To A Hospital
After you have spoken with an emergency veterinarian over the phone, and they tell you what to do for your dog while waiting to be seen, place your dog in a back seat in your vehicle. If possible, have someone come with you to watch over your dog as you drive to a veterinary hospital. Bring along the poison that your dog had ingested in case the doctor needs to call the company or read the instructions on the packaging. Place this in your trunk, away from your dog as you drive it to be evaluated.
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