Uh-oh… what has my dog eaten?!
July 21, 2022Dogs are great at playing with things they aren’t supposed to; how many of us have been searching for a freshly-washed pair of socks only to discover them chewed and threaded in our dog’s basket? Unfortunately, dogs are also very good at eating things they aren’t supposed to; here are 5 common toxic substances which dogs can get their paws on, and why we should be vigilant about stopping our four-legged friends’ greedy antics…
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (e.g. ibuprofen)
What does it do?
Ibuprofen works by dampening down the pathways in the body which relay pain signals. However, the chemical transmitters which they affect are also important in normal, non-inflammatory pathways, some of which are involved in the normal functioning of the kidneys and gastro-intestinal tracts. This means that if dogs eat ibuprofen, it can damage the gastro-intestinal tract and kidneys by inhibiting their normal function. If they eat enough to cause renal failure, it can be fatal.
What are the signs?
The dog will not want to eat, and may have abdominal pain, which will present as a hunched stance, and they won’t enjoy their normal belly rubs. They may also have vomiting, possibly with blood, and often diarrhoea which also may have blood in it. Blood in the vomit may be bright red fresh blood; or digested blood which appears dark and tarry. It’s this “coffee-ground” appearance in the diarrhoea or faeces that is characteristic of gut ulcers due to ibuprofen poisoning.
Kidney problems don’t usually present until a little later, but are often even more serious, with increased thirst and passing abnormal amounts of urine. If not rapidly treated, this can lead to permanent kidney damage.
- Grapes, raisins and sultanas
What does it do?
These may be delicious treats for us, but they can cause “idiosyncratic kidney failure” in dogs; that means that not every dog will get renal failure when they eat grapes, and some will be fine. However, there is no way to tell, so make sure Lassie doesn’t get her paws on them!
What are the signs?
6 – 24 hours after eating one of these foods, the dog will start drooling excessively (hypersalivation), vomiting, and may have diarrhoea. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, increased thirst and increased urination. If their kidneys stop producing urine (anuria), the prognosis is very poor.
- Coumarins: rat poison, or “rodenticides”
What does it do?
Dogs may eat the rodenticide itself or eat a rat/mouse who has died from eating it. These rodenticides work by inhibiting the blood coagulation pathway – a system that relies upon vitamin K to allow blood to clot, preventing us from bleeding to death from a small cut. So, when this pathway is inhibited, it means that the animal’s blood will not clot. It damages our dogs in the same way; they will develop what vets call a “coagulopathy”, which means a disorder of clotting.
What are the signs?
Signs of rodenticide poisoning are related to blood not being able to clot; they can have nose-bleeds, bleeding from the anus, and bruising. They may also appear wobbly and disorientated, with abdominal distention from internal bleeding, or a rash on the skin and gums.
- Chocolate
What does it do?
Every Christmas and Easter, dog owners breathe a sigh of relief when the chocolate supplies haven’t been raided by a greedy Santa’s-Little-Helper! Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, a compound similar to caffeine. This has a highly excitatory effect in the central nervous system; essentially, they send your dog’s body into overdrive!
What are the signs?
Excessive excitation of the nervous system will cause your dog’s heart to speed up and the beating can become irregular; a fast, irregular heart-beat is known as a tachyarrhythmia. The dog may also vomit, have abdominal discomfort (as with ibuprofen toxicity), but they also show neurological signs, such as seizures.
- Metaldehyde; slug pellets
What does it do?
Slug pellets contain metaldehyde, which is toxic to the nervous system; it is a neurotoxin.
What are the signs?
Slug pellets will cause excitation of the nervous system, just like chocolate – but it’s much more powerful. This will cause behavioural changes such as anxiety, and physical changes such as excessive salivation, ataxia, tremors, increased respiratory and heart rates and seizures. In many cases, the seizures cause a dangerously high body temperature, and can be very hard to control.
The take home messages are therefore:
- Prevention! Ensure your dog does not have access to ibuprofen, grapes, sultanas, raisins, rodenticides, chocolate or slug pellets – tricky, we know!
- Recognition! Signs such as vomiting, excessive salivation, seizures, increased heart rate and panting can be signs of toxicity. Of course, they can be signs of other conditions, too.
- Intervention! If you suspect toxicity, call the vet immediately! Some toxins will have specific antidotes, such as vitamin K for rat-poison toxicity, but some will require supportive medication to treat seizures, induction of vomiting in a safe and controlled environment, or fluid therapy to dilute the toxins and support the body. Whatever the necessary treatment, your dog needs the vet as soon as possible!
Hoping your dog enjoys many delicious meals – none of them chocolate-based!
“When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile” – Regina Brett
