The simple detail that shows us if our dog has been poisoned

Unfortunately, animal poisoning remains a relatively widespread phenomenon in our territory. It can occur due to unscrupulous criminals, but also accidentally if the dog ingests toxic substances. In case of poisoning, it is absolutely crucial to take the dog to the vet immediately, and there is a good chance of saving his life if we act quickly. But how can we know immediately if our dog has been poisoned? There are typical symptoms that we should pay attention to.

Excessive salivation and difficulty walking

One of the first symptoms of poisoning is excessive salivation. This symptom is not exclusive to poisoning, and can also occur for other reasons, but if it is associated with difficulty walking, it should make us suspicious. In particular, if the dog has excessive salivation and also stiffness of the legs, loss of balance and difficulty walking, it may be poisoning. In this case, it is absolutely essential to take the dog to the vet immediately.

Other symptoms that can let us know that the dog has been poisoned are diarrhea, shortness of breath and vomiting. If the dog presents these symptoms, we will also pay attention to the mucous membranes inside the mouth. If they appear pale, these symptoms may be due to intoxication or poisoning.

When symptoms appear

We have seen how to distinguish the first signs, but how long does it take between ingesting poisonous substances and symptoms? It depends on the type of toxic substances ingested. Some, such as rat poisons, are delayed-acting and may begin to cause symptoms as early as 2 or 3 days after ingestion, while others show symptoms within minutes. Among the most ingested poisons, in addition to rodenticide, are insecticides, herbicides and also cleaning products.

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Among natural toxic substances, we must be careful with plants such as oleander, laurel, rhododendron, mistletoe or lilies, but also with mushrooms (the same ones that are also poisonous to humans). Some foods can also be very toxic to dogs if eaten in large quantities, such as onions, garlic or grapes, and should never be given to dogs.

What to do to minimize damage

As already said, it is absolutely essential to contact the vet immediately if there are any suspicious symptoms. If we catch the dog 'red-handed' when he has just ingested a toxic substance, we can try to induce vomiting, using salt water, or salt directly. If we are not experts, we should contact the veterinarian's office or an emergency service that can advise us on what to do.