What to do if your dog has been poisoned

It could be a rascally neighbor. But it could also be your own distraction , causing the animal to ingest something highly toxic. In any case, when a dog is poisoned, its life is at stake in just a few hours . During these hours, you must not waste time, you must not panic, and it is essential to keep a clear head to make the right moves. In particular, here are some interventions to take immediately, before going to the vet . As soon as you realize your dog is poisoned, take the first necessary steps. Give him salt water , and never hot drinks, starting with milk . And try to keep him calm. But to avoid unpleasant surprises, such as poisoning, we must take a step back and give dogs specific attention, especially if we live in high-risk areas, such as in the countryside where there are fruit trees that require chemical treatments or rodent control.

Symptoms

To intervene appropriately, it's necessary to understand what substance the dog has ingested. If it's strychnine , which acts on the central nervous system, the symptoms of poisoning will be:

• limb extension
• curved back
• erect ears
• dilated pupils
• cyanosis of the mucous membranes

In this case, the animal's death occurs due to anoxia caused by respiratory muscle spasm . Rat poison , on the other hand, causes internal bleeding , and the symptoms the animal experiences include:

• difficult breathing
• cyanosis of the mucous membranes
• loss of saliva
• severe general weakening

The gums of the poisoned dog

To determine if your dog is at risk of poisoning, start with the gums , which are usually a light pink color with brown patches. Whitening of the gums can be a clear sign of poisoning. To detect it, lift your dog's upper lip, press on the canine tooth with your thumb, and observe the color of the gums. If they change from white to pink within a few seconds, it's normal; otherwise, consider the possibility of poisoning. Another clear sign of poisoning can be seen in the dog's movements: they are irregular, he staggers, and appears disoriented.

Pesticide poisoning in dogs

Insecticides for flies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches. Rat poison. Chemicals for plants. The list of pesticides that can poison a dog is truly long. The only important thing to do is preventative: keep your dog a safe distance from these substances, and for example, don't take him to areas where you have applied pesticides. If your dog ingests one of these substances, poisoning occurs rapidly: convulsions and respiratory muscle contractions quickly follow . Act promptly, following the instructions we've given you, and go to the nearest available veterinarian immediately.

What to do

• If you think your dog has ingested a poisoned morsel, contact your veterinarian immediately This will help you understand how to provide immediate assistance to your pet and ensure the doctor is prepared for the dog's arrival at the clinic. Remember, it's crucial to always have the phone numbers of your veterinarian and any animal clinics you can contact in case of an emergency.
• Once you contact your vet, decide whether it is appropriate to make the dog vomit Give them very salty warm water or beaten egg white. The important thing in these cases is not to give them milk.
• Finally try to keep the dog calm and if there is one in your area, contact the Poison Center closest to you. If, however, contact with the toxic substance occurred through the skin, wash the dog immediately.

How to report dog poisoning

• Be extremely careful, collect the poisoned morsels, and immediately report the incident to the Veterinary Service of the local health authority (ASL) and to the Mayor of the municipality where the incident occurred.
• To file a report, you can also contact any judicial police agency (Municipal Police, Carabinieri, State Police, State Forestry Corps, Guardia di Finanza), submitting the report in person (even against unknown persons) in written form.
• Deliver the poisoned morsels you collected to the local health authority so they can determine the poisonous substance they contain. If the dog is deceased, return its remains so they can conduct tests and analyze the ingested substance.
• A report must be made even if the animal does not die: only in this way will it be possible to report the incident and try to identify the person who committed the crime.
• If the Animal Health Institutes discover poisoning, they are required to inform the Local Health Authority (ASL) and the mayor of the municipality, and to submit a crime report to the competent local prosecutor's office. Once the report is received, the mayor is required to:
• Delimit the area where the poisoning occurred;
• Provide for the remediation of the area;
• Intensify surveillance activities by law enforcement;
• Inform the Prefect so that the problem can be monitored and controlled.

It's important to never be afraid to report anyone who commits such a serious act. These individuals can pose a serious danger to others, especially children who, while playing in the park, could accidentally come into contact with poisoned bait. Also remember that animal abuse and killing is a crime punishable under Law 189 of 2004. Finally, consider the fact that, by law, it is also possible to report the threat of poisoning alone.

Read also:

• How to exercise with your dog
• How to take care of your dog
• How to protect dogs and cats from the heat
• Dog colds: treatment and prevention
• Foods that dogs and cats should not eat
• DIY Dog Games: 10 Fun Ideas

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