How to treat poisoned dog at home

1. Notify your veterinarian. Your pet has the best chance of survival if you get help immediately.
2. Keep your pet calm.
3. If the poison is on your pet's skin, bathe him or her. Rinse. Rinse. Rinse.
4. If the poison was ingested, get a sample of the poison's container so your veterinarian can determine the best treatment.
5. Give activated charcoal or Endosorb (as recommended by a veterinarian) for poisons such as chocolate or bromethalin.

Treatment for a poisoned dog or cat is specific for the poison involved and the symptoms. If your pet just gobbled up poison, the treatment may begin by making your pet vomit. Your veterinarian will tell you whether or not to induce vomiting based on what your pet ate. Your veterinarian will explain how to get your pet to vomit using salt water, dilute hydrogen peroxide, or Ipecac.
One type of poisoning for which vomiting is often prescribed occurs when your pet swallows a handful of a medication, such as aspirin, blood pressure pills, or too many of his or her own medications. On other occasions, your veterinarian will tell you not to induce vomiting. Vomiting is actually harmful if your pet ate something that will cause a lung infection if any of the vomitus is coughed into the lungs. For example, poisons that contain petroleum products cause lung infections (aspiration pneumonia) when vomited. If your pet swallowed paint thinner (a petroleum product) your veterinarian will tell you not to induce vomiting. In cases like this, your veterinarian may tell you to give your pet activated charcoal to adsorb the poison. Endosorb can also be used to adsorb toxins in the stomach and intestines. It is available as tablets or liquid and is less messy than charcoal. Your pet may also need IV fluids. 25% of poisoned pets recover within two hours. Of the pets that take longer to recover, many can be treated at home with the advice of your veterinarian or with advice from the ASPCA Poison Control Center (telephone 1-888-426-4435). Even with treatment, one in 100 poisoned pets dies. For charcoal to work fully, give ten times as much charcoal as poison.

The charcoal is often given multiple times rather than all at once. Charcoal causes diarrhea in some pets and constipation in others. The stools are dark black. Don't give charcoal when your pet is poisoned with an oil.

Use salt water to induce vomiting only when instructed to do so by your veterinarian because salt can cause salt toxicosis (poisoning) in some pets.

What your veterinarian might do if your pet is poisoned
For pets that shouldn't or can't vomit, your veterinarian may give your pet an anesthetic to flush the stomach. Gastric flushing removes a large amount of material, and removes materials that are slow to exit the stomach. Veterinarians will not use this technique with convulsing pets, or with pets that swallowed caustic materials such as bleach or petroleum products.

Preventing further damage from poisoning
After being poisoned, your pet's liver and kidneys may be affected. Antioxidants, herbs, homeopathics, and liver supplements that benefit the liver and kidneys help these damaged organs heal. Omega 3 fatty acids will help control inflammation. Examples of products that may help include T-Relief Tablets, Be Well for Dogs, and Denosyl.

Recommended products to help prevent kidney and liver damage to posioned pets

Helpful contacts
The ASPCA (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has an Animal Poison Control Center open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for pet poison-related emergencies. Your pet's veterinary clinic is also an excellent place to get help. Keep the clinic's phone number on your refrigerator for emergencies.

Chocolate cake. Tulips. Wine.

These are just a few of the seemingly harmless household items that can be harmful if ingested by your dog. As a Pack Leader, it’s important to be aware of the many common substances that can be poisonous for your dog, as well as steps you can take to both prevent and treat dog poisoning.

Common causes of dog poisoning

Safe for humans doesn’t necessarily mean safe for dogs. In fact, many of the foodstuffs, medications, and products you keep in your house can be highly toxic to your dog.

Below, we’ve listed some of the most common culprits.

Human food
Your dog’s metabolism is very different from your own, which is why some of your favorite snacks can be hazardous and, in some cases, fatal to your dog. Common dog poisons found in the kitchen include chocolate, avocados, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, and alcohol. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum, can also cause unwanted health problems, including weakness and seizures. While some human foods can be safely shared with your dog, it’s generally a good idea to play it safe and only give treats specially made for dogs.

Plants
Several popular household flowers and plants can be poisonous to your dog, including tulips, daffodils, sago palms, azaleas, and rhododendrons. Whenever possible, dog owners should avoid bringing these plants into their homes or yards.

Human medications
Many medications that are helpful to humans can be harmful to dogs. Some of the most common examples include antidepressant, blood pressure, and pain medications. Over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, and fish oil supplements for humans can also be toxic. To prevent accidents, you should stow all of your medications in cabinets that are inaccessible to your dog.

Household products
There are numerous common household products containing chemicals that should never be ingested by your dog. Cleaners, antifreeze, pool cleaning chemicals, and lawn and garden products can all lead to serious health complications for dogs that ingest them. Antifreeze is particularly problematic because it’s very deadly but also tastes sweet, making it an attractive hazard to your dog if not properly stored away.

Insecticides and rodenticides
Products designed to fight ants, roaches, and other insect pests can be poisonous to dogs. Consuming rodenticide – or a rodent that has been poisoned – can also lead to serious problems. Be sure such products are inaccessible to your dog, and always follow guidelines for use closely.

Signs of dog poisoning

Different poisonous substances may affect your dog in different ways depending on how much they ingested. While symptoms of dog poisoning can vary vastly from case to case, here are some of the most common:

• Abnormal behavior
• Black, tarry stool
• Collapse
• Coughing
• Decreased or absent urination
• Diarrhea
• Discolored gums
• Drooling
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive urination
• Lack of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness

If you know or suspect your dog is poisoned…

First, remain calm. Though it’s important to act quickly, you must also act carefully — your actions may determine the outcome of your dog’s health emergency.

Step 1
Collect remaining poison or any other substances involved, such as vomit. This evidence can help your vet and other emergency responders identify the type of poison that has affected your dog.

Step 2
Call your vet or the ASCPA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC). You can reach the APCC at (888) 426-4435 and receive advice from animal poison experts for a $65 consultation fee.

Step 3
While speaking on the phone with your vet or animal control experts, you should be ready to tell them the breed, age, sex, and weight of your dog, as well as symptoms and other important information about the incident. If possible, find the product or container for the poisonous substance and keep it on hand for reference throughout the call. The professionals will advise you on your next course of action.

However, if your dog has a seizure, is struggling to breathe, or loses consciousness, bring her to your local vet or emergency clinic immediately.

How were you able to tell your dog was poisoned?

Think your dog has been poisoned? Learn the signs and what your vet can do.

There are many toxins, plants, chemicals, or food that can be poisonous to your dog. Common causes of poisoning in dogs can be found in your bathroom cabinet, in the backyard, in spoiled food scarfed on a walk, and human food that’s stolen off the counter or dropped from the kitchen table.

No matter what the toxin is or where it came from, here's what you need to know to notice potential signs of poisoning and take quick steps to help your dog survive.

Signs of Poisoning in Dogs 

Beyond a mangled plant, empty bottle, or missing food, there are many clinical signs that could indicate your dog has eaten a toxic food, chemical, poisonous plant, or spoiled dog food. The following is not a complete list but gives you a general idea of common signs to look for if you suspect your dog has been poisoned, and things your veterinarian can find with proper testing and a complete physical exam. 

A dog eating a toxic plant is a common reason for pet owners to call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's hotline, according to Tina Wismer, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT and senior director of the center. The situation can be extremely urgent, depending on the plant. 

"Most common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and seizures," Wismer says. "In severe cases, ingestion of poisonous plants can lead to liver failure, kidney failure, and cardiovascular problems. 

Clinical signs of poisoning in a dog may include: 

• Gastrointestinal signs: vomiting, diarrhea, extreme salivation, loss of appetite, and nausea or dry heaving
• Internal bleeding: indicated by pale gums, a racing heart, coughing up or vomiting blood, weakness or lethargy, or a dog's falling over or collapsing
• Kidney failure: increased or decreased urination, increased drinking as well as lack of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Liver failure: yellow gums, acting abnormally or dully as well as tarry stool (melena), vomiting, diarrhea, or collapsing due to low blood sugar.

What to Do if Your Dog Has Been Poisoned

If you know your dog has eaten something poisonous, here's what to do:

1. Make sure your dog is breathing, alert, and behaving normally.
2. Keep your dog and everyone else away from the source of the poisoning. Note what was eaten and keep any labels of information about the product or object. That will help medical professionals make the right decision for treatment.
3. If the poison is in the dog's fur, wash the dog thoroughly, if you can do so safely.
4. Don't use any at-home remedies or antidotes. And don't try to make your dog vomit before you talk to a veterinarian. Vomiting may be the right approach, but it might also be dangerous based on what your dog ingested and what's happening in the dog's body.
5. Make an immediate call to your veterinarian or a phone hotline to help with pet poisoning, like Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435. Remember, hotlines like these do charge for their services, so a consultation fee may apply. 
6. If your dog needs medical help, call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic as soon as possible. The sooner you get help for a dog poisoning, the better the chances your dog can recover from poisoning.

Treatment, whether at home under a veterinarian's orders or in a veterinary hospital, will be specific to the poison. Your veterinarian may recommend that you induce vomiting in your dog in some situations, but not in others. Once in the hospital, your veterinarian may give your dog intravenous fluid, flush your dog's stomach, give your dog activated charcoal to absorb the toxin, or perform surgery. Supportive medications may help your dog's kidneys and liver process the poison and heal.

The ASPCA Poison Control estimates that 25 percent of poisoned pets recover within two hours. Even with treatment, one in 100 poisoned pets will die.

What if I Suspect Someone Poisoned My Dog?

Intentional poisonings are rare and can be difficult to prosecute without hard evidence that your dog was poisoned on purpose. 

However, if you suspect someone has intentionally poisoned your pet, follow the steps detailed in the link above and contact your veterinarian along with the police. Your vet may be able to detect toxins with diagnostic testing. If your pet has died, a veterinary lab may be able to perform an autopsy to determine cause of death.