
Why Your Dog Might Be Vomiting
No sound will get a dog owner’s attention quite like…
The world is a paradise of things to be consumed by our dogs and cats.
That spray bottle in the kitchen, aerosol can or other containers under your cabinet can all be deadly if your dog punctures it and ingests the liquid inside. Cats mostly prefer to pounce, often on greenery, but just two petals or leaves from “true” lilies (Easter Lily, Tiger Lily, Day Lily, and Asiatic varieties) can be fatal to our feline pals!
March is Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month and knowing what to do and having the necessary tools on hand can avert a minor injury or a major disaster. Keep reading to learn what steps you should take should your furry friend ingest poisons.
Size matters in regards to poisoning, whether it is ingested, absorbed, inhaled or injected under the skin!
What could kill a Chihuahua, may have no effect on a Saint Bernard. The ability for any potentially poisonous substance to cause health issues is proportional to the animal’s body weight. Additionally, every item on a poison list may not harm every animal, but if it has made the list, a significant number of animals have had an adverse reaction to it, so erring on the side of caution is best.
Chocolate accounts for half the calls received by the Pet Poison Helpline. The sweet treat humans have been told is good for their hearts is most poisonous to dogs, cats, and ferrets. The reason is theobromine, a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic, which can speed up the heart while pulling fluids from the body, resulting in rapid heart rate and breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.
One ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight can be fatal to pets. The darker the chocolate, the higher the concentration of theobromine which means the less it takes to cause problems.
This chart may be helpful however, some pets are more sensitive and can be harmed by less than the amount provided below:
Take the following steps into consideration to help keep your pets safe from ingested poisons:
Below is a list of symptoms to watch for if you think your pet has ingested some form of poison:
Keep your pets safe and consider taking the following steps to get them the help they need if they have ingested any poisons:
Stay calm and call your veterinarian or poison control and do exactly as instructed.
This may be recommended if the animal has ingested food or non-caustic toxins – ones that don’t burn.
*NEVER induce vomiting in cats. Get to the vet at once of ingestion, and… do not induce vomiting in canines that have a history of aspiration, have congestive heart issues, are lying down or very lethargic as the potential for getting the peroxide or vomit into the lungs is increased. Be extra careful with brachycephalic breeds for this same reason. Never induce vomiting if the dog has swallowed a sharp object, corrosive object (batteries) or hydrocarbons (gas, motor oil, kerosene)!
If you suspect your pet has ingested a caustic substance (something that burns), or if you have no idea what he may have swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Proceed immediately to your Veterinarian while getting fluids into your pet to dilute the substance. Water or non-fat yogurt is generally best as many pets will vomit up cow’s milk.
Take your pet to the vet and bring along a sample of vomit and poison with you if you are able to do so.
Don’t be caught unprepared when your furry kid needs you most. Pets can also be poisoning by toxins they inhale, that are injected (i.e. insect stings) or are absorbed through their paw pads and skin. Supervise, keep the scene safe, and also know what to do, learn Pet First Aid, just in case the worst happens.
Here at PetFirst, we know accidents and illnesses happen to all pets, even while under strict supervision. PetFirst is here for every canine and cat as pet insurance can help cover unexpected vet visits.
Pet insurance provides peace of mind that if your pet gets sick or injured, you don’t have to worry about the financial aspect of your pet’s care. Make sure your pet is covered with PetFirst Pet Insurance. We offer coverage for both dogs and cats and offer Routine Care Coverage to fit every budget.