Common Poisoning Symptoms in Dogs
How do we know if our dog has been exposed to or ingested a poison?
What are poisoning symptoms in dogs?
Do all dogs present the same poisoning symptoms and do all poisons present the same symptoms in our dog?
Is your dog is lethargic, agitated, vomiting and/or having diarrhea?
Is your dog indicating they are having a difficult time breathing – would you know the symptoms if they were?
What colour are your dog’s gums and do you know the difference between their “normal” gum colour and abnormal gum colour?
Poisoning Can Affect Our Dog’s Organs
I’m very grateful my dogs have not been exposed to anything poisonous or toxic, however, it doesn’t mean it hasn’t crossed my mind especially when one of my dogs has picked something up on a walk. It’s not uncommon to see me diving into my dogs mouth and pulling something out – no matter how disgusting!
What about my cats? My cats don’t go outside or on walks, but they can be sneaky when it comes to sniffing something out and trying to eat things they shouldn’t. That’s why I make sure any plants or flowers that come it to my home are “pet safe” and all household cleaning supplies are properly stored and out of reach of my dogs and cats.
So what are the common poisoning symptoms in our dogs we should be aware of?
Common Poisoning Symptoms In Dogs
Pain
Discomfort
Abdominal bloating
Blood in vomit and/or stools
Twitching/ tremors/ wobbliness
Gum colour: white/yellow/blue
Heart beating rapidly or erratically
Breathing fast or struggling to breath
Lethargic
Drinking frequently
Urinating frequently
Of course if your dog is “not themselves” , you’ve seen your dog eat or come in contact with a poisonous or toxic substance, don’t wait. Contact your veterinarian for immediate advice.
To help us understand more about the common signs and symptoms of poisoning symptoms in dogs, Dr. Alex Avery of Our Pets Health shares this informative video.
Common Poisoning Symptoms in Dogs
Be sure to follow and keep up to date on Dr. Avery’s latest articles and videos that help pet parents learn how to provide our pets with the healthiest, happiest life possible!
Dr. Avery can be found on YouTube ,Twitter and his Facebook Page “Our Pets Health” !
Dr Alex Avery of Out Pets Health
March 1, 2018
It would be so devastating to realize that a pet has been poisoned! I’m always nervous that my cats will get into something they shouldn’t. get into. You can’t prevent everything. Knowing the signs of poisoning is very important. I’m so glad to hear that you haven’t had to deal with a poisoning either.
March 1, 2018
Thank you for showing us the video! I’ll have to save it for later. It is so important to recognize the signs of poisoning as soon as possible.
March 1, 2018
I’m always happy to add another knowledgeable vet to the list of people I follow on Facebook. Thank you for the introduction. I’m with you on yanking the disgusting things. Last Friday when Bernie and I were out, I saw him eat something brown. I didn’t hesitate and was relieved when it was just a small piece of chocolate. He got a taste, but nothing close to a toxic level.
March 1, 2018
Dr. Avery has a large library of helpful pet health videos that are extremely helpful and full of information for pet parents – you won’t be disappointed! I’m glad Bernie was ok and didn’t have any adverse affects from eating the chocolate!
March 1, 2018
My mother lost one of her dogs two years ago to mushroom poisoning. They were walking out in the woods. I am very careful to always wipe my pets paws after they have been out but even in doing so we just can’t be 100% sure they are safe. There are so many things out in nature that can harm them. I try to never have anything in my home that can including non pet safe cleaning supplies. This is very helpful and insightful! Thank you!
March 1, 2018
I am so sorry, how heartbreaking for you mother to loose her dog 🙁
Wiping our pets paws after a walk is a great idea, we never know what they can walk through while out on a walk and then they can lick it off their paws.
February 28, 2018
This is such important information! Many years ago, we were traveling with our new puppy when my 8 year old told me the puppy was foaming at the mouth. This was before the days of cell phones, so when we stopped at a rest area (about 3 hours from home) I called a vet from a payphone. They told us to bring her right in, the vet was skeptical, but thought he might be able to save her. We spent a very long night at the hotel waiting to find out the fate of our little puppy. Thankfully, she pulled through. The culprit? She was chewing on a dried hydrangea flower earlier that day. I saw it and took away from her, because I knew that it might be toxic. I wish I would have listened to my gut instinct right then and called a vet to see if I need to bring her in or induce vomiting.
February 28, 2018
I almost poisoned Buffy the other night. She was restless and I thought her glaucoma was bothering her, so I gave her eye drops and a pain medication that the vet had prescribed. It was 2 am and I was very tired. After I shoved the pill down her throat, I closed the lid and it said 1/4 pill, not the 1 pill that I had given her. Back in bed, I started worrying if I gave her too much. I googled the drug and it said it could cause respiratory distress and death! I then looked up how to make my dog vomit. She was fine after that.
March 1, 2018
How scared and worried you must have been! This just proves how easy it is for something like this to happen – it’s not just the common poisons we have to be concerned about, but medications that can be given incorrectly, in the wrong combination, wrong dose, or medications that are not meant for pets. I’m so happy that Buffy is alright and you acted quickly.
February 28, 2018
Unfortunately, I don’t feel there is such a thing as common poisoning signs since different poisons can look very different one from another.
March 1, 2018
Yes, depending on the poison a dog (pet) has digested, they can have various affects resulting in different signs. I believe what’s important is to understand some of common signs to watch out for in case our pet’s are exposed to poison. Of course what’s most important is that if you know or think your dog/pet has been exposed or has ingested a potential poison, have them checked out by your vet as soon as possible.
February 28, 2018
Mr. N is good about not eating weird things but our foster dog tried to stuff everything into his mouth. He ate a lot of weird things but luckily nothing poisonous!
March 1, 2018
Each dog is different. There are dogs that will not bother with anything, and then there are those dogs that will grab and sneak any and everything that can fit in to their mouths! I’m happy to hear your foster dog didn’t get it to anything poisonous!
February 28, 2018
This is such an important topic for pet owners to be knowledgeable about. One of my dogs was exposed to rodent poison once while we were visiting a friend. She knew I was bringing my dog with me but didn’t think to pick up the mouse bait until my dog was already showing interest in it. I wasn’t sure if he had actually eaten any or not, so off to the vet we went. Now that was not a very fun Thanksgiving, but luckily thanks to quick action my beloved dog was okay. He’s snuggled up on my lap as I type 🙂
March 1, 2018
Oh my goodness how scary that must have been for you not knowing if your dog had eaten any of the mouse bait! I’m glad you understood the potential hazard of this poison and acted quickly by taking your dog to the vet, and thankful he was ok!
February 28, 2018
I think this is one of my biggest worries and when walking Layla I am like a hawk with her watching everything plus in the park unless I know the person really well I will not let her take treats – I tell the people she is allergic. My house is child proofed plus I do not use chemicals only apple cider vinegar so I think I am safe. Great post and reminder
March 1, 2018
I am not comfortable with Edie being given treats either – I don’t know if they will agree with her, what kind of treats they are, or where they originate from.
February 28, 2018
This is such a helpful video! Toxic substances are everywhere, both indoors & outdoors. Thanks for sharing this important info!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
March 1, 2018
I’m so happy you found the video so helpful! I hope other pet parents will watch and become aware of potential hazards and how they can affect our pets and their health.
February 28, 2018
There are so many poisonous substances and plants and food to be on the lookout for when you have pets. This is a great resource about what to look for in case of an accidental contact with poisons.
February 28, 2018
This is such a scary topic. It is vitally important that dog owners are familiar with what do to, and what symptoms to recognise. We have the same dangerous issue with lilies. Beautiful (like a dog’s tempting but poisonous tidbit) but potentially lethal. We have shared!!
March 1, 2018
Thank you for the share! A scary thought for any pet parent to think their dog (pet) could be poisoned, even from common household items. And yes, Lilies as beautiful as they are, pose quite the threat to our pets.
February 28, 2018
Such IMPORTANT info for pet parents to have. Sometimes peeps forget that doggies and kitties can be poisoned by common, household things, that may even be totally safe for peeps. INFORMATION SAVES LIVES. purrs
February 28, 2018
I think we have all had that terrible moment when our dog picks up something off the ground and we think “what if”. Thankfully I have never faced poisoning with my animals either. As a child, our dog once ate some imported chocolate. Fortunately, he was OK, but we did take him right to the vet.
February 26, 2018
As a (formerly practicing) vet tech, I can’t thank you enough for helping spread the word about pet toxicity and warning signs to look for!