Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

28 •DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
generation anticoagulant. With observed or suspected recent ingestion,
induce vomiting (see page 25).
Treatment of spontaneous bleeding caused by all anticoagulants involves
administering fresh whole blood or frozen plasma in amounts determined by the
rate and volume of blood loss. Vitamin K l is a specific antidote. It is given by
subcutaneous injection and repeated subcutaneously or orally as necessary until
clotting time returns to normal. With first-generation anticoagulants, this often
occurs within a week. With long-acting anticoagulants, treatment takes up to a
month because of the length of time the poison remains in the dog’s system.
Hypercalcemic Agents
Hypercalcemic agents are poisons that contain vitamin D (cholecalciferol) as
their effective agent. Cholecalciferol poisons work by raising the calcium content
in blood serum to toxic levels, eventually producing cardiac arrhythmias
and death. They are becoming increasingly popular because rodents do not
develop resistance to them and, with the rare exception of a puppy or small
dog, dogs who eat poisoned rodents will not develop toxicity. In virtually all
cases, the dog must eat the poison itself to become ill.
In dogs, signs of hypercalcemia appear 18 to 36 hours after ingesting the
poison. They include thirst and frequent urination, vomiting, generalized
weakness, muscle twitching, seizures, and, finally, death. Among survivors,
the effects of an elevated serum calcium may persist for weeks.
Treatment: If you suspect your dog has ingested one of these poisons
within the past four hours, induce vomiting (see page 25) and notify your veterinarian.
Veterinary treatment involves correcting the fluid and electrolyte
imbalances and lowering calcium levels using diuretics, prednisone, oral phosphorus
binders, and a low-calcium prescription diet. Calcitonin is a specific
antidote, but it is difficult to obtain and has only short-term effects.
ANTIFREEZE
Poisoning by antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol is one of the most common
small animal toxicities. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that appeals to dogs.
Exposure typically occurs when antifreeze drips from the car radiator and is
lapped up by the pet. Dogs may also drink from the toilet bowl in vacation
homes that have been winterized by pouring antifreeze into the bowl.
Less than 3 ounces (88 ml) is enough to poison a medium-size dog. The
poison primarily affects the brain and the kidneys. Signs of toxicity are doserelated,
and occur within 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingestion. They
include depression, vomiting, an uncoordinated “drunken” gait, and seizures.
Coma and death can occur in a matter of hours. Dogs who recover from acute
intoxication frequently develop kidney failure one to three days later. Death
is common.