Plants, weeds, household cleaning supplies and human food can all be poisonous when a dog ingests them. Recognizing dog poisoning symptoms quickly allows a dog owner to administer first aid quickly to prevent or delay absorption of the poisonous substance.
Symptoms
Symptoms of dog poisoning include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), vomiting, staggering and a lack of appetite. In severe cases of poisoning, a dog's central nervous system might be under attack, causing the dog to suffer from seizures, convulsions or have difficulty breathing.
Treatment
Any time a dog has ingested a poisonous substance, a veterinarian should be contacted. If instructed to do so, vomiting should be induced to prevent or delay absorption of the poisonous material. One tbsp. of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide per 10 pounds of the dog's weight should be administered to induce vomiting. When a dog's central nervous system is under attack, the dog should be taken to an emergency pet clinic immediately.
Prevention
To reduce the chance that your dog will suffer poisoning, store household chemicals such as bleach and antifreeze in places your pet can't access. Plants should be placed where your dog cannot chew on the leaves, and rodent traps should be in containers that your dog can't get into.
