Top Dog Dangers: Pet Proofing Your Home From Life Threatening Toxins

Top Dog Poisons

Unlike cats, dogs are notorious for ingesting almost anything imaginable.  We have put together a list of the most common toxins we have seen over the years working as emergency veterinarians. The list below can help you pet proof your home from the most common toxic items. 

Here is a brief description of common toxic household items:  

1. Chocolate-Made of Caffeine and Theobromine, they are found in cocoa and processed chocolate.

Signs occur within 1-4 hours.  Unsweetened cocoa is the most toxic followed by baking chocolate. 

GI signs: Vomiting, diarrhea

Neurologic signs: Seizures, trouble walking (ataxia), weakness

Cardiac signs: Ventricular arrhythmias    

Treatment: Induce vomiting, activated charcoal, control seizures, intra venous fluids 

2. Rat poison- There two main types of rat poison still used today:

1. Bromethalin, strychine- These cause CNS signs including seizures and trouble walking (ataxia).

2. Coumarins (warfarin, Brodifacoum)- These inhibit vitamin K which is used by the body to keep us from bleeding (coagulation).  It takes 1-5 days after exposure to see the effects. 

Signs include:  vomiting and lethargy in the beginning.  Then nose bleeds, trouble breathing, painful abdomen, and bruising of the skin and mucous membranes.   

Treatment: Induce vomiting, activated charcoal, large doses of Vitamin K for up to 1-2 months. 

3. Snail bait- Metaldehyde, this toxin causes the “shake and bake syndrome”.   

Signs:  Violent muscle tremors that can result in severe hyperthermia (over heating) and death if not promptly treated.    

Treatment:  Induce vomiting, gastric lavage (stomach wash), activated charcoal, control tremors, intra venous fluids 

4. Marijuana- This is usually due to accidental ingestion which can cause as you can guess:  

Signs:  trouble walking, sedation, lethargy and vomiting.   

Treatment: Induce vomiting, activated charcoal, intra venous fluids 

5. Anti freeze, brake fluid- Ethylene  glycol – This toxin is changed in the liver to become a very toxic substance that destroys the kidneys.  Very toxic and immediate treatment can be lifesaving.  

Signs: vomiting, depression, tremors, seizures, coma 

Treatment- Emergency, A reversal must be given in the first 3 hours to compete with the toxin and fluid therapy.   

6. NSAIDs – These are a class of pain medications.  The most common toxicity is due to “Ibuprofen” Advil, which is a human NSAID and should never be given to animals.  They cause stomach ulcers and kidney disease.

Signs:

GI signs- vomiting

Renal disease (kidney) 

Treatment: Induce vomiting, activated charcoal, fluid dieresis ( large amount of fluids). 

7. Acetaminophen- This is most commonly caused by owners giving their pets “Tylenol” for pain relief.  These drugs are very toxic and animals lack the correct enzymes in the liver to detoxify them. They cause permanent liver failure. 

Signs: Icterus (yellow coloration), abdominal pain, anorexia, vomiting.   

Treatment: A reversal called Acetylcysteine can be given if treated promptly.