Dogs are not just small furry humans – and when dealing with poisons, we need to remember that! Not only are most dogs smaller than people (meaning that lower doses of a poison are likely to have a greater effect), but humans are better than almost any other mammal at breaking down toxins, so many things that are safe for us are potentially lethal to dogs.
Fortunately, in the UK we have a world-leading resource to help us vets when we see a dog who’s eaten something they shouldn’t. It’s called the Veterinary Poisons Information Service, and it’s absolutely invaluable in helping us to recognise and treat poisonings. They also collect data about what are the most common poisonings of dogs (and cats, for that matter) in the UK.
So, what are the top five?
Painkillers
Specifically, the family called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol. Ibuprofen is especially toxic to dogs, but all of these medicines are potentially dangerous. There are drugs in this class that are licensed and safe (at appropriate doses) for use in dogs, but human painkillers should never be given to dogs unless on a veterinary prescription.
The usual effects of NSAID poisoning are stomach upsets (vomiting and diarrhoea); stomach ulcers (bloody vomit, black tarry faeces, anaemia and abdominal pain); and sometimes kidney failure (leading to increased thirst, dehydration, increased (if mild) or reduced (if severe) urination, lethargy and depression, vomiting and collapse).
The treatment for NSAID poisoning is supportive treatment with prescription antacids, intravenous fluids and close monitoring and blood tests.
Fortunately, if diagnosed and treated early enough, most affected dogs will be fine.
Anticoagulant rat-poison
These poisons work by turning off the animal’s ability to clot. They are dangerous to all mammals, but the bigger the animal, the more they have to eat to be affected.
The typical symptoms are those of abnormal bleeding, resulting in bruising and rashes under the skin, bloody vomit and diarrhoea, internal bleeding, anaemia (visible as pale gums) and eventually collapse.
Fortunately, they are fairly slow acting (often taking a week or so before symptoms crop up), and we can usually induce vomiting to get the poison out. If it’s too late for that, there is an antidote (Vitamin K) that we can use. For some of the more recent poisons, the antidote may need to be continued for weeks or even months.
Chocolate
Chocolate is great for us (in moderation!) but it is lethally toxic to dogs. The toxic ingredient is called theobromine (a similar chemical to caffeine); dark chocolate contains the most, and white chocolate the least. It causes restlessness, hyperactivity, tremors and seizures.
The treatment requires inducing vomiting (to get as much chocolate out as possible), and activated charcoal (to absorb the poison). If symptoms have begun, hospitalisation, anti-seizure drugs and supportive care are required.
Metaldehyde Slug Pellets
These are one of the most dangerous poisons around. They lead to restlessness, tremors, overheating and severe and long lasting seizures. If we can make them vomit the pellets up before they’re absorbed, the prognosis isn’t too bad, but if the seizures have started, most dogs need to be put into a medical coma until the effects have worn off (sometimes this requires several days). The prognosis is fairly poor, but with rapid and aggressive treatment the outcome can be successful.
Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants
Although perfectly safe in humans, grapes (especially if dried) can trigger kidney failure in some dogs. We’re not sure what the actual cause is, but some dogs seem much more severely affected than others, and a dog may be unaffected one time but suffer severe kidney damage the next. As few as three or four raisins or currants can be enough to shut down a dog’s kidneys, and even if cooked (in a cake, for example) they don’t lose their toxic properties.
If you think your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t, give us a call as soon as possible! The earlier the poisoning is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome is likely to be.
