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

Treatment: Proceed at once to the nearest emergency veterinary facility.
BAL (British Anti Lewisite) is a specific antidote and should be given as soon
as the diagnosis is suspected.
GARBAGE AND FOOD POISONS
Dogs who scavenge come into contact with garbage, decomposing food, and
carrion, some of which contain endotoxins produced by bacteria and molds.
Once ingested, these endotoxins are absorbed and poison the dog.
Signs appear within two to six hours. They include an acute painful
abdomen accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea (often bloody). The dog
may have noticeably bad breath. Shock and death can occur in severe cases.
Treatment: If you see your dog eating garbage or a dead animal, immediately
induce vomiting (see page 25). Follow with liquid Pepto-Bismol; give a
dose every 12 hours for two days. Administer by plastic syringe (see page 572
for more information on administration and dosage). If you have trouble getting
the liquid into your dog, use the tablets. Try to keep your dog well
hydrated.
Mild cases recover in one to two days. If the dog begins to vomit or develops
other signs of poisoning, notify your veterinarian.
CHOCOLATE
EMERGENCIES • 33
Most dogs like chocolate, but it can be dangerous. Chocolate contains
methylxanthines (made up of caffeine and the alkaloid theobromine).
Methylxanthines are not toxic to people in the concentrations found in
candy and baked goods, but when ingested by dogs the effects can be lethal.
Although some dogs tolerate chocolate far better than others, note that a dog
who weighs 5 to 10 pounds (2.3 to 4.5 kg) could die after eating as little as 4
ounces (113 g) of baking chocolate (not candy); a dog who weighs 20 to 40
pounds (9 to 18 kg) after eating as little as 16 ounces (450 g); and a larger dog
after eating two pounds (about 1 kg). Dogs have been poisoned by eating an
entire pan of brownies or a chocolate cake.
Signs of chocolate toxicity occur within hours after the dog ingests the
chocolate. They include hyperexcitability, vomiting, frequent urination, diarrhea,
rapid breathing, weakness, seizures, and coma. Death, which is rare,
occurs by cardiac arrest.
Treatment: If you know your dog has eaten chocolate within the past six
hours and he has not already vomited, induce vomiting (see page 25). Record
the type and amount of chocolate ingested (sweet and semisweet chocolate in
candy bars is not nearly as toxic as baking chocolate). Then call your veterinarian
for further instructions.